I had a crazy reading week. I read just over 60 books. After taking a break from intentionally seeking out Caldecott Honor books (I finished the Winners earlier this year), I jumped back in with a huge stack. I read 34 Caldecott Honor Books in my quest to read every Caldecott Winner and Honor Book this year. Though I really enjoyed many of these books (most were from 1990 to the present), I am only going to highlight a few of them.
Here are some of my favorite Caldecott Honor Books from the past week's stack:
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt; Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi - The illustrations in this were truly wonderful. I loved DiTerlizzi's choice of a 1920's/1930's film style for this.
The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Sciezska; Illustrated by Lane Smith - Laugh out loud funny - If you haven't read this one, and enjoy fairy tales, you must read it.
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís - This is an amazing and powerful story of Sís's life.
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Pamela Zargarenski - Joyce Sidman's poetry has been illustrated by some amazing artists. If I have counted right, her books have received 3 Caldecott Honors.
Here are some other books that I was reading this past week:
Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly by Walter Dean Myers; Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins - This is an older picture book that I came across at the library. A solid picture book biography of Malcolm X.
A Meal of Stars: Poems Up and Down by Dan Jensen; Illustrated by Tricia Tusa - This small book of poems demonstrate the fun you can have in writing poems from top to bottom and from bottom to top.
What You Know First by Patricia MacLachlan; Illustrated by Barry Moser - I read this after seeing it on Katherine Sokolowski's Nerdy Book Club post.
The Secret Chicken Society by Judy Cox - What happens when you end up with 5 baby chicks and one turns out to be a rooster? Let the fun begin. An early chapter book for 2nd and 3rd graders.
From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer, Valerie Thomas - A fun summertime read that has the feel of a John Hughes' movie.
Silverfin (Graphic Novel) by Charlie Higson- This graphic novel tells the story of Bond, James Bond before he was a Secret Agent.
So what are you reading this week?
We love "Stinky Cheese Man!" We picked up two Capstone Graphic Library historical books while on vacation about Jamestown and Apollo 11. I love this series.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look up the two books you are talking about. How interesting.
DeleteI just love those Caldecott Honor books! My favorite is The Spider and The Fly. I had to buy a copy for myself! I really want to read Small Medium at Large. I have heard so many good things about it.
ReplyDeleteThe Spider and the Fly is worth buying. So amazing.
DeleteOooh! Oooh! A Silverfin graphic novel. Ordering this right away! I loves the series, and so did my students.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteSo much goodness! I LOVE The Spider and the Fly. It's terribly macabre, but is still one of my favorite picture books because of those lovely retro illustrations. I'm beginning to think I need to track down From What I Remember. Everybody seems to enjoy it! I definitely want to read Small Medium at Large. It looks so cute! And I need to find A Meal of Stars somewhere. It looks like a book I would really like.
ReplyDeleteThe Spider and the Fly is truly macabre but it really works with this one. Enjoy reading all of the other books. Good luck in finding them
DeleteOhhh! My series loving third grader will eagerly check out your recommendation for The Secret Chicken Society--thank you, thank you! I'm so excited that From What I Remember will be available in time from the library for an upcoming vacation. Sounds like the perfect read! Glad you enjoyed your Caldecott Read-a-thon! Other than Stinky Cheese Man, I've yet to read your highlighted titles! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteLorna
i've totally read the spider and the fly a few times. the kid i read to really likes it. i agree that the illustrations are great and i love the story, too.
ReplyDeleteJon Scieszka (and the Stinky Cheese Man) is such fun to read aloud. Even draws in those sometimes-hard-to-reach middle grade boys. I'm adding Small Medium At Large to my ever-growing TBR pile, too. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteMaria @novalibrarymom.com
So many great books! I read From What I Remember after Jen (teachmentortexts) suggested it. Such a fun read, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be made into a movie.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week!
I have had The Wall in my classroom for like 5 years and haven't read it yet. I don't know why. I am fascinated with all things Cold War.
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing a lot about From What I Remember on Twitter. Looks like a book I want to check out!
ReplyDeleteI also loved Small Medium at Large. It IS a fun read.
Have a great week of reading!
Lots of great reads this week!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that Silverfin is a GN. I enjoyed the rest of the series I read, but I didn't like book 1- it'll be a great way to get kids into the series.
Happy reading this week! :)