These books show how important it is to stay focused

“Chicken Little and the Very Long Race,” written and illustrated by Sam Wedelich, will put a smile on children’s faces on every page. (Courtesy of Scholastic)

With the constant flood of media that young and old are exposed to every waking hour, it is sometimes difficult to stay focused.

Reading books that emphasize the importance of keeping the compass pointing in the right direction and staying on task is a great way to help children think more deeply about this important topic, such as the books discussed today.

Books to borrow

The following book is available in many public libraries.

“His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II” by Louise Borden, photos and illustrations various sources, Houghton Mifflin, 136 pages

Reading aloud: from 10 – 11 years.

Reading by yourself: 11 – 12 years and older.

As a young boy growing up in Stockholm, Sweden, in the early 20th century, Raoul Wallenberg was interested in everything. His curiosity was encouraged by his family, and especially his grandfather. And although Raoul came from a privileged family, he was determined to do something meaningful with his life and make a difference in his own way.

Raoul traveled extensively, graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, was fluent in five languages, and was a good listener and influential speaker. In the final years of World War II, when Budapest and its thousands of Hungarian Jews were begging other countries for help, neutral Sweden asked Raoul to become a Swedish diplomat in Hungary to try to save as many Jewish lives as possible. Raoul seized the opportunity and threw himself passionately into his mission.

Despite impossible odds, Wallenberg went ahead with his very clever plan, which ultimately saved tens of thousands of lives in Budapest. Unfortunately, Wallenberg’s fate is not fully known, but his name and his brave deeds should never be forgotten.

Borden has brought to light the boldness, courage and devotion to duty of this remarkable man, Raoul Wallenberg. This selection is an incredible story in every way and a must-read for older children and adults.

Election of the Librarian

Library: Southeast Branch Library, 1426 Perkiomen Ave., Reading

Senior Library Director: Melissa Adams

Assistant Director: Emily McNulty

This week’s selection: “Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism” by Georgia Byng; “Holes” by Louis Sachar; “Brave Irene” by William Steig

Books to buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

“Chicken Little and the Very Long Race” written and illustrated by Sam Wedelich, Scholastic, 40 pages, $18.99 hardcover

Reading aloud: Ages 4 – 8.

Read by yourself: Ages 6 – 8.

When the marathon against local record holder Hare was announced on a large sign in the chicken yard, the chickens (except Chicken Little) were very excited. Chicken Little had no interest in running or competing, and the announcement said the race would be a very, very long one.

All the other chickens started training immediately and when they stopped at the smoothie stand for refreshments, they were selling Hare’s new book, “Hop to It! Hare’s Guide to Running.” It specifically stated that smoothies were an essential part of the training process and they broke up their training by drinking smoothies instead.

Chicken Little questioned the book’s advice, but the other chickens believed every word Hare had written. Chicken Little knew that training was important to build stamina, and after being pushed to enter the race, Chicken Little came up with a plan to focus on the task at hand, and when the race finally began, Chicken Little would get by with “slow and steady.”

This very funny story is reminiscent of Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” and will put a smile on your children’s faces on every page.

“The Den That Octopus Built” by Randi Sonenshine, illustrated by Anne Hunter, Candlewick, 2024, 32 pages, $18.99 hardcover

Reading aloud: Ages 4 – 8.

Read by yourself: Ages 6 – 8.

Brilliant, clever and highly focused, the octopus has perfect command of its environment. It has many disguises when it builds its den, using items it finds in its ocean home. When it goes hunting for prey, the octopus covers its body with shells like a shell. It can also change its skin color and texture to avoid looking like prey.

Octopus has another way of protecting itself and surviving, by shooting a cloud of poisonous, blinding black ink that confuses its enemies, and then swimming away with remarkable speed and returning safely to its cave. And the cave it has built is not only its home, but also the safe nursery where it lays its eggs, cares for them with great care, and releases them from its cave after they hatch.

Featuring beautiful illustrations that perfectly complement the story, The Den That Octopus Built is a gentle introduction to the fascinating life cycle of an octopus. Informative accompanying material rounds out the story of the highly intelligent, razor-sharply focused animal – the octopus.

Kendal Rautzhan is a nationally syndicated author and educator of children’s literature. She can be reached at [email protected].