FOR CHILDREN
AT THE LIBRARY “Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog” by Pamela S. Turner, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene, Houghton Mifflin Read aloud: age 4 and older Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older
Hachiko is a puppy when he goes to live with Dr. Ueno. Dr. Ueno works at Tokyo Imperial University, and every morning Hachiko walks with him to the train station, and every afternoon Hachiko waits for Dr. Ueno to get off the train.
One day Dr. Ueno dies while he is at work, and Hachiko, waiting for his return, will not leave the station until the last train departs. Every day thereafter, Hachiko goes to the station in the morning and waits for Dr. Ueno. Hachiko maintains his daily ritual for 10 years until he, too, dies.
To this day, there is a Hachiko festival held every year at the statue erected in his honor at the train station. LIBRARIAN’S CHOICE Library: Westerly Public Library, 44 Broad St., Westerly, R.I. Library Director: Brigitte Hopkins Children’s Librarian: Helen Mochetti Choices this week: “The Ultimate Survival Guide” by Mike Flynn; “Abigail Takes the Wheel” by Avi; “Half Magic” by Edward Eager AT THE BOOKSTORE “A Boy and a Jaguar” by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Cátia Chien, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 Read aloud: age 5 and older Read yourself: age 7 and 8
The only time young Alan doesn’t stutter is when he talks to animals. Alan feels especially close to animals because he feels he understands them and that the animals understand him. Every day after class, Alan goes to his room, takes out his pet gerbil, hamster, turtle, chameleon and garter snake, closes his bedroom door, and talks to them without stuttering. Alan knows his pets know what he is saying because, “Animals can’t get the words out, just as I can’t get the words out.” And so, Alan makes a promise to his pets that if he is ever able to find his own voice, he will be their voice, too, and protect them from harm. “Dozer’s Run: A True Story of a Dog and His Race” by Debbie Levy with Rosana Panza, illustrated by David Opie, Sleeping Bear Press, 2014, 36 pages Read aloud: age 6 to 8 Read yourself: age 7 and 8
Dozer the Goldendoodle has a great life with his best dog friend, Chica. The dogs explore their yard every day, sleep in warm beds, and live with a loving family.
One day when Dozer and Chica are in the yard, a runner passes by. And then another runner, and another. Dozer becomes very excited, wondering what the runners are chasing. Despite Chica’s warning to stay in the yard, Dozer decides to join the runners. Little does he know he has joined the Maryland Half Marathon to benefit University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. Will he make it to the finish line?