Check It Out

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian, Children’s Literature Department, Los Angeles Public Library.

Los Angeles is home to exciting museums and galleries. Help your child enjoy the exhibits with these materials extolling art and talent.

Babies and toddlers: “Mouse Paint” by Ellen Stoll Walsh.

Three white mice learn the fundamentals of color when they jump into jars of red, blue and yellow paint.

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Preschoolers to first grade: “Frederick” by Leo Lionni.

Frederick the mouse validates the important role of artist and writer by weaving stories filled with sunshine and imagination that brighten dreary, cold and boring times.

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Second to fourth grade: “Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists” series by Mike Venezia.

Cartoons supplement reproductions of the artists’ works in this casually written introductory biography series.

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Fifth and sixth grades: “Pierre Auguste Renoir” by Tom Parsons.

Highlights of the artist’s life are illuminated with colorful reproductions that capture the joyful spirit of this famous Impressionist painter.

Storytime

Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Storytime,” Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

* “The Very Quiet Cricket” by Eric Carle.

A baby cricket learns to rub his wings together to make music. (Themes: determination, sounds, nature and identity.)

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* “A Mother for Choco” by Keiko Kasza.

A lonely bird sets out to find a mother. After a disappointing search, an unexpected parent volunteers to be the bird’s mother. (Themes: family, differences, feelings and animals.)

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* “Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffman.

When Grace decides that she wants to perform as Peter Pan in the school play, her classmates tell her that she can’t because Peter Pan is not black. With the help of her mother and Nana, she prepares to audition regardless of what her classmates say. (Themes: uniqueness, differences, self-esteem.)