It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to Young Adult - 4/28/14

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

I continue to say that my April mantra is "May is coming."  This month has been so busy and there have been so many book events that my book buying is out of control but I have not been able to keep up.

I carved out some time on Sunday to at least get to a stack of picture books that has been growing in my house.

Here is what jumped out of the stack...

Emily's Blue Period by Cathleen Daly, Illustrated by Lisa Brown (Roaring Brook Press, June 17, 2014) - Since this one doesn't come out until June, I will encourage you to place it on your "to-read" list. It is a story of a little girl, who makes a connection with Picasso and his art. This connection also inspires her as she tries to figure out what is home when she spends part of the week with both her mother and father in different homes. 

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat (Little, Brown Books for Young Children, April 8, 2014) - I love Dan Santat's artwork.  The vivid illustrations support a story of friendship between a little girl and a very special friend.

Abuelo by Arthur Dorros; Illustrated by Raúl Colón (Harper Collins, April 22, 2014) - Colón's illustrations are beautiful in this book.  A story of a boy and the memories he is building with his grandfather, which sustain him when he moves to the city.  Just a sweet story and nice use of Spanish words and phrases.

The Grudge Keeper by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (Peachtree Publishers, April 1, 2014) - This seems to be the week of illustrators I like.  Wheeler illustrated Miss Maple's Seeds last year.  Though she did not write The Grudge Keeper, her characteristic illustrations fill this fable-like tale of a town's transformation from holding grudges to releasing them.

Jumping Jack by Germano Zullo; Illustrated Albertine (Chronicle Books, May 13, 2014) - Both Zullo and Albertine are from Switzerland. Chronicle has published several of their joint projects. I have come to really like Albertine's artistic style and this book is no exception.

Lately Lily: The Adventures of a Travelling Girl by Micah Player (Chronicle Books, March 25, 2014)- I first came across Micah Player's art in Chloe, Instead. I knew he was doing another book and excited to finally see it.  A fun story for children who will be taking a trip in the summer.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 4/7/14

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

During March, while I was participating in the Slice of Life March Challenge, I was just not able to keep up with my Monday posts and the Challenge. I loved the March Challenge, but I am such a slow writer that it really made it hard to keep up with my reading time.  Since I was learning a lot about myself as a writer, I understood the need to temporarily suspend some reading.  However, I am back. This weekend, I read a huge stack of picture books and eager to get back to some novels.

Despite the stack of books I read recently, there were not as many that really stood out for me.  I have saved several of the nonfiction picture books for Wednesday. 

Here's what jumped out of the pile...

Firefly July and Other Very Short Poems - compiled by Paul B. Janeczko; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Candlewick Press, March 11, 2014) - A beautiful collection of short poems that are organized around the four seasons. I love Melissa Sweet's illustrations for this book.

Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles by Douglas Florian (Dial, February 20, 2014) - Florian writes some wonderful poems for children, and he has done it again with this book. I really enjoyed each of these accessible, fun, and nonsensical poems.

Found by Salina Yoon (Walker Children's, April 1, 2014) - A sweet story that young children will relate to and celebrate.

Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen; Illustrated by Dan Santat (Harry N. Abrams, September 3, 2013) - Ah, picture day! Definitely a few chuckles with this story. 

Stella's Starliner by Rosemary Wells (Candlewick Press, March 25, 2014) - A young girl lives in a trailer home with her family. She considers her home almost magical until some boys insult her. Wells handles the situation wonderfully.

The One-Eyed People Eater: The Story of Cyclops by Joan Holub; Illustrated by Dani Jones (Simon Spotlight, March 1, 2014) - I like the way Holub has created a series of easy readers around Greek Myths. Readers interested in Greek tales will enjoy these books.

Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood (HMH Books for Young Readers, April 1, 2014) - This story of a young boy moving to a new home will allow beginning readers to have success, as well as, provide others with a chance to work through the feelings of moving to a new home.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What am I reading? From Picture Books to YA - March 10, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

There are weeks where getting time to settle in for a longer book can be a challenge.  Sometimes even finishing a picture book can be a challenge. I am looking forward to spring break in another week and some time to actually read some of the MG and YA novels that are piling up.  Over the weekend, I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours to tackle a pile of picture books and early readers.  If you want to see the full list, click here.  

Here are the top picks from the pile....

You are My Baby: Garden by Lorena Siminovich (Chronicle Books, March 25, 2014) - The You are My Baby board book series for infants and toddlers is a two in one board book.  The lower left hand corner is a smaller board book incorporated into the larger one. I do not usually get super excited about board books, but this one is well done.  Of course, it's Chronicle Books and their art department is top-notch when it comes to unique designs.

You are My Baby: Ocean by Lorena Siminovich (Chronicle Books, March 25, 2014) - This companion book to the one noted above is just as well done. Definitely worth giving these as gifts to the infants and toddler readers in your life.

Maple by Lori Nichols (Nancy Paulsen Books, February 20, 2014) - Nichols captures a special relationship between a little girl and her tree in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Also, good for preschoolers with a new baby at home.

Peggy by Anna Walker (Clarion Books, March 4, 2014) - Some picture books are quirky and Peggy is one of them. A chicken out on an adventure in the city. Yep, it will be interesting to see what children think of this one, but adults will get a chuckle out of it and admire the artwork as well.

Penguin in Peril by Helen Hancocks (Templar Books, February 11, 2014) - Another quirky book that will hold the attention of the inquisitive reader. I enjoyed how the penguin out smarts the cats.

Do Not Open! The Story of Pandora's Box by Joan Holub; Illustrated by Dani Jones (Simon Spotlight, March 1, 2014) - Easy Readers are always a bit of a challenge to write and finding ones that are stand outs among the spinning racks is not easy.  I thought Holub does an admirable job simplifying Pandora's Box for beginning readers that provides readers with readable text and a good story.

Robot, Go Bot! A Comic Reader by Dana Meachen Rau; Illustrated by Wook Jin Jung (Random House, June 25, 2013) - If Level 2 easy readers are a challenge to find, Level 1 readers are even harder.  Beginning readers will love this one.  Simple but fun.

Guppy Up! by Jonathan Fenske (Penguin Young Readers, February 7, 2013) - Fenske has a good sense of what beginning readers need in a Level 1 reader.  Guppy combines early concepts with readable text.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 2/24/14

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

This past week I was a bit all over the place with my reading. I have been working on a presentation for a training that I am doing about Ezra Jack Keats.  As a result, I went to the library and took out as many of Keats books that I could find and sat down and read and re-read them (I did not list them below for sake of space).  It was interesting to read them in publication order and to begin to see things I had missed when I read them years ago.  I have learned so much about Keats and admire his skill and his stories more than ever. 

Here is what jumped out of the pile...

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith (Dutton Juvenile, February 11, 2014) - This upper YA book by Andrew Smith is not for everyone and certainly not for those who are squeamish about very large insects.  However, I did find it to be brilliant and creative.

Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle (Lunch Lady #10) by Jarrett K. Krosoczka (Knopf Books, January 28, 2014) - What a fun conclusion to the Lunch Lady series. I will miss these books.

Scholastic Reader Level 2: Ugly Cute Animals by Melvin and Gilda Berger  (Scholastic, January 7, 2014)- This has a certain aww factor - seriously, ugly but cute animals?! Loved it.

Extraordinary Jane by Hannah Harrison (Dial, February 6, 2014) - Sometimes ordinary is extraordinary.  Such a cute story.

Ezra Jack Keats: A Biography with Illustrations by Dean Engel and Florence B. Freedman (Silver Moon Press, 1995) - A perfect middle grade biography on Ezra Jack Keats. I really enjoyed learning more about Keats.

Still reading...

Kiss of Deception by Mary Pearson (Henry Holt, July 15, 2014) - High fantasy with solid characters and good world building.  Can't wait to get back to this one.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 2/10/14

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

This past week was kind of busy, but I did get in a stack of picture book and a few other titles.  There are a couple that I will post on Wednesday for Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday and one I will post on Friday for Valentine's Day.    

Here is what jumped out of the pile...

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Random House, 2011) This one an ALEX Award a couple of years ago, and we read it this week for Book Club.  Interesting discussion.

When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill; Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (Roaring Brook Press, 2013) - I was trying to catch up on a few of the books I missed out before ALA Youth Media Awards.  Finally, found and read When the Beat was Born.  Excellent job.  Really enjoyed this book.

Maria Had a Little Llama/María Tenía Una Llamita by Angela Dominguez (Henry Holt and Co., 2013) - Here was another book I missed out on before the Youth Media Awards.  I loved that it was already translated into English and Spanish.

Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson (Balzer & Bray, 2014) - It's Kadir Nelson.  Do I need to say more?

Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate (Candlewick, 2013) - And one more that I find that I missed out on. Definitely must be read over several sittings.

Time for Flowers, Time for Snow: The Re-telling of the Legend of Demeter and Persephone by Glen Huser; Illustrated by Phillippe Beha (Tradewind Books, 2013) - For fans of Greek Mythology, this is an interesting re-telling of Persephone and Hades, and Demeter.

 So, what are you reading?