'Peanut Butter and Jellyfish'

In “Hope of Earth,” Margaret Lee Runbeck wrote: “A man leaves all kinds of footprints when he walks through life. Some you can see, like his children and his house.

Others are invisible, like the prints he leaves across other people's lives, the help he gives them and what he has said — his jokes, gossip that has hurt others, encouragement. A man doesn't think about it, but everywhere he passes he leaves some kind of mark. All these marks added together are what man means.”

Kids imitate what they hear and see, and are particularly eager to be just like mom and/or dad.

If we can be mindful of carefully tending to the marks we leave throughout each day, what better example for our children to do the same?

The following book is available at many public libraries.“Charlotte's Web” by E.B. White, illustrated in black and white by Garth Williams, Harper & Row, 184 pages; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.When Wilbur the pig was born, 8-year-old Fern pleaded with her father to let her take care of him. Her love for Wilbur saved his life.When Wilbur grew bigger, he was sent to live with farmer Zuckerman, but the affectionate little pig was quite lonely. He wanted love — he wanted a friend. Crying one night, he heard a voice call, “Do you want a friend, Wilbur? I'll be a friend to you. I've watched you all day and I like you.”Wilbur's new friend was Charlotte — a large gray spider about the size of a gumdrop. Charlotte was beautiful, wise and kind.When it became apparent that farmer Zimmerman intended to serve Wilbur for Christmas dinner, Charlotte's love of her friend propelled her into action.Charlotte devised a plan to save her friend by convincing the farmer and the community that Wilbur wasn't an ordinary pig and should be saved. In return, Wilbur did the best he could to show his friend Charlotte how much he loved her, too.“Charlotte's Web” perfectly portrays the deep rewards of true friendship.

Library: Butler Public Library, 218 N McKean St.Executive Director: Lori HinderliterYouth Services Librarian: Peter BessChoices this week: “Who Loves Me?” by Patricia MacLachlan; “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett; “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Peanut Butter and Jellyfish” written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Alfred A. Knopf, 2014, 36 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7.Peanut Butter (a seahorse) and Jellyfish (yep, a jellyfish) are the best of friends. They spend their days swimming and exploring their ocean home. Unfortunately, they live near Crabby (yep, a crab) who constantly torments Peanut Butter and Jellyfish, saying the meanest things.One day Peanut Butter and Jellyfish hear a faint sobbing. Crabby is caught in a lobster trap that is being lifted to the surface! Peanut Butter and Jellyfish know Crabby is in serious trouble. Despite how nasty Crabby is to them, the two friends spring into action. Will they be able to rescue Crabby, and if they can, will Crabby still be crabby?A perfectly wrought story on friendship, kindness, and dealing with bullies, this choice excels.“I Love You Just Enough” by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, Sleeping Bear Press, 2014, 40 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.On the first day of summer vacation, young Heather finds a baby wood duck alone in the grass. The chick has been separated from its family, and Heather asks her father if she can take him home and keep him safe.Her father agrees, but tells Heather that she must teach the chick how to be a duck, and not to love him too much because when he is old enough, he must return to his true family — other ducks.Heather takes her job seriously and helps Mr. Peet learn about hunting for bugs, swimming, and to fly. Toward the end of the summer, Mr. Peet is almost old enough to be on his own. Will Heather be able to let him go?A beautiful story of a unique friendship and doing the right thing, this selection is lovely.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.

‘I Love You Just Enough’