Summertime is here with its endless days – what a great opportunity to settle down with a good book to read and share. Here are some of the new books at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison to tempt you to find a cool spot and read.

A gray cat graces the cover of When Gorilla Goes Walking, a great read-aloud by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Shane Evans. Gorilla receives her name from her owner, Cecilia, due to her fearless personality. The book is written in short poems that express all the joys and problems of owning a cat.

As you read each poem, the loving bond between pet and child is shown. The illustrations are large and colorful — perfect for sharing in a storytime setting. The poetry is written in a style accessible to preschool and older children. This book is a sure winner for all cat lovers and animal lovers alike.

If you’re looking for an excellent picture book to encourage sharing, Brigitte Weninger’s A Ball For All, illustrated by Eve Tharlet, is the one.

In the book, three friends, a mouse, a blackbird and a hedgehog, are sharing a ball in a meadow. Along comes Rico Raccoon, who takes their ball and runs away. The three friends decide to approach Rico’s mom to retrieve their ball. However, Max the mouse surprises his friends by giving the ball back to Rico and inviting him to join their game. This is a perfect story to emphasize not only sharing but also including others in playtime. The art is colorful and expressive of the animal friends’ various feelings.

The Shivers in the Fridge by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, is a fun read-aloud for ages four and up. A family of refrigerator magnets is living in a strange, cold land with frequent earthquakes and monstrous hands.

One by one the family members encounter the monsters, only to disappear. Only Sonny, the child magnet, is left to face their tormentors. Sonny discovers the monsters are a human family and the magnets have been living in a refrigerator. Children will love hearing the clues that describe the mysterious land and lead them to the realization that the magnets are in a fridge. The writing is humorous and suspenseful. The illustrations by Zelinsky, winner of the 1998 Caldecott for his book Rapunzel, are comic and fun. This is another great read-aloud to share.

With a bounty of colorful photos of places kids should visit, 101 Places You Gotta See Before You’re 12! by Joanne O’Sullivan is a fun and visual treat. There are some no-brainers on the list, like an Aquarium and a Big Cave, along with some famous spots like the Grand Canyon.

But the unexpected suggestions are the real gems. From the Middle of Nowhere (yes, this is actually on the list!) to a Greenhouse in winter, and a Medical Museum where you might glimpse a leech or two (once common practice for certain illnesses), there is no shortage of ideas to inspire you to get out and see something new. Often you don’t have to travel far. Kids will enjoy checking off the places they’ve already been and coming up with a personalized list of their got-to-see favorites. This book gives young explorers a new perspective on sightseeing.

In picture book format, William Low narrates the story of the original Penn Station through a series of dramatic oil paint illustrations in Old Penn Station. Through skillful use of light and shadow, he draws readers in to a bygone era of New York City when train passengers entered Manhattan through this magnificent piece of architecture.

Low manages to convey the enormity of the project and its importance in history. How could a building like this not stand the test of time? And yet only 53 years later, what had once been called a "palace" met the fate of a wrecking ball. Once again, Low captures the theatrical scene — this time one of destruction. Had the original structure remained, surely it would have been a kind of living museum. There are lessons to be pondered here. For train lovers, history buffs and people who just like a good story, Old Penn Station is one of those books that you can pick up repeatedly and enjoy like a piece of fine art.

Staying with the train theme, another fun-filled book to peruse is C is For Caboose: Riding the Rails from A to Z by Traci N. Todd, designed by Sarah Gillingham. This collection of charming illustrations and historical photographs is packed with trivia about trains, stations and railways in an A to Z format.

One amazing example of what this book includes is "S is for School Car, a traveling train car set up like a classroom for students who didn’t have schools in their hometowns." The accompanying photograph depicts students at desks diligently working while the teacher looks on. Who knew that such mobile school setting ever existed? This book offers an unforgettable trip across time and tracks, with lots of details young readers will be eager to share.

Events at the Scranton Library

The Scranton Library’s summer reading program this year follows the statewide theme "Get a Clue @ Your Library." The McAllister family of Madison made a spectacular game board, based on a game of Clue.

The "whodunit" the children need to solve is "The Mystery of the Four Lost Library Books." Each half-hour of reading will allow a spin on the game board, where children will meet various suspects and discover clues to solve the crime. The game began on June 25 and continues through Friday, August 17.

The library, located at 801 Boston Post Road in Madison, also offers story time and craft programs for children of all ages. For more information call 203-245-7365 or visit www.scrantonlibrary.com and click on children’s for a full list of the Scranton Library’s summer offerings.

Jane Ash is the Children’s Librarian and Lisa McAllister is the Children’s Assistant at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison.