Check It Out

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian of the children’s literature department, Los Angeles Public Library:

April is Humor Month, so here are some rib-ticklers to get the kids smiling.

Preschool: “Hi, Pizza Man!” by Virginia Walter, pictures by Ponder Goembel

If the pizza man does not deliver, what would you say to the various animals who come to the door?

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Second and third grades: “The Bear Whose Bones Were Jezebel Jones,” by Bill Grossman, illustrated by Jonathan Allen

Nonsensical rhyme about the havoc that ensues when a girl gets stuck in a bear’s skin.

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Fourth grade: “Owen Foote, Second Grade Strongman,” by Stephanie Greene, illustrated by Dee deRosa

On height-weight day, a meek boy confronts the nurse who embarrasses the children by loudly announcing their personal statistics to everyone within hearing distance.

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Fifth grade: “The 6th Grade Nickname Game,” by Gordon Korman

Children learn never to underestimate the power of a label or the bonds of friendship.

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Sixth through eighth grades: “101 Ways to Bug Your Parents,” by Lee Wardlaw

A budding inventor earns money for the Invention Convention by writing a funny book.

Storytime

Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Storytime,” weekdays at 12:30 p.m.

* “If,” by Sarah Perry

A colorful picture book containing a collage of fantasy scenarios that encourage the reader to think up new stories. Themes: imagination and fantasy.

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* “Listen, Buddy,” by Helen Lester

Buddy is a rabbit with big beautiful ears who never listens until one day when he meets the Varmint, who loses his temper and threatens to put Buddy into his soup. Themes: responsibility and cooperation.

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* “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” by Kevin Henkes

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher. But when he asks her to wait before bringing her new purse to class, she does something she is sorry for. Themes: trust, consideration for others.

Book Events

Selected visits at Los Angeles Public Library branches.

* Tuesday: Caroline Arnold, author of “Children of the Settlement Houses” and other animal books; 6:30 p.m., Granada Hills Branch Library, 10640 Petit Ave.

* Thursday: Tim Egan, author and illustrator of “Distant Feathers”; 2 p.m., West Valley Branch Library, 19036 Vanowen St.

* Saturday: Erica Silverman, author and illustrator of “Raisel’s Riddle”; 2 p.m., West Los Angeles Branch Library, 11360 Santa Monica Blvd.