Patch Picks: Five Books to Check Out This Week at the North Shore Library

With this week marking National Education Association’s Read Across America Day and the birthday of children’s author Dr. Suess, it’s only natural that this round of Patch Picks highlights a handful of books recommended by our friends at the North Shore Library.

• Young readers of all ages can enjoy “Interrupting Chicken,” written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein, according to Children’s Librarian Sue Marshall. The 2011 Caldecott Honor book features Little Chicken, who wants her Papa to read her a bedtime story, though she can’t help from chirping out interjections.

• For readers ages 2 to 8 years, Marshall suggests 2011 Caldecott Medal winner “A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” penned by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin C. Stead. The story is about a zookeeper that gets sick and all his animal friends come to visit.

• Another picture book Marshall recommends for readers ages 4 to 8 years is “City Dog, Country Frog,” written by Mo Willems and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. The book centers on an unlikely relationship between two very different critters.

• For older children ages 9 to 12 years, Marshall proposes 2011 Newbery Medal winner “Moon Over Manifest,” by Clare Vanderpool. Set in during the Great Depression, the book follows a girl’s adventures in a small town in Kansas.

• Adult readers, we’ve got something for you, too! Adult Librarian Judy Kowalski recommends diving into the pages of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot. This nonfiction work melds science and history with the story of a poor Southern woman and her family.