It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - July 3, 2017

July 3, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

My goal for July is to do a weekly It's Monday! What are you reading? post for every Monday in July. This post will be a bit long since I read a lot of upcoming releases at ALA last week. Here is what jumped out of the pile in the past few weeks:

Noodleheads See the Future by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss (Holiday House, January 2017) From the creator of FLY GUY, readers get Arnold's characteristic humor with a bit of a lesson. Really appreciated the author's note at the end.

This is Not a Normal Animal Book by Julie Segal Walters, Illustrated by Brian Biggs (Simon & Schuster, October 17, 2017) - Thanks to Melissa Stewart, I intentionally tracked this one down at ALA. Not exactly nonfiction, and more than just another animal book. This one is worth exploring when it comes out in October.

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling by Timothy Basil Ering (Candlewick Press, January 2017) - When I was sitting in on the Notables Discussion, this one came up and I had to read it. One of those lovely stories that results in a lot of feel good emotions.

The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken (Dial Books, April 2017) - Finally got a chance to read this one. Would pair well with Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg.

Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka, Simone Shin (Carolrhoda Books, April 2017) - Sometimes just having one person understand you is enough to feel affirmed. This would be a good beginning of the school year book to share with students.

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat (Roaring Brook, October 3, 2017) - I am a big fan of Dan Santat's work and I think this is his best yet. A fabulous look at "getting back up" and conquering fears. Looking forward to seeing the final version of the book.

Draw the Line by Kathryn Otoshi (Roaring Brook Press, October 10, 2017) - I love wordless books and I love Kathryn Otoshi's work. In this upcoming release by Otoshi, readers get something a bit different but just as wonderful. I look forward to the discussions I can have with children over this one.

All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Illustrated by Mike Curato (Henry Holt & Co., August 29, 2017) - A wonderful look at a family road trip in Cuba. Looking forward to using this one as a mentor text as well.

When's My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano; Illustrated by Christian Robinson (Roaring Brook Press, September 5, 2017) - Fogliano captures the excitement that children feel when anticipating a birthday and Robinson's illustrations are delightful.

Why Am I Me? by Paige Britt; Illustrated by Selina Alko, Sean Qualls (Scholastic, September 12, 2017) - Another book that will make a good read aloud at the beginning of the school year that will promote a celebration of our uniqueness and diversity.

I Can Be Anything: Don't Tell Me I Can't by Diane Dillon (Blue Sky Press, January 2018) - This one won't be out until 2018 but I love the beautiful illustrations and the powerful message.

Robinson by Peter Sís (Scholastic, September 26, 2017) - I love the illustrations in this book and the author note at the end that helps readers understand the context of the story.

Life by Cynthia Rylant; Illustrated by Brendan Wenzel (Beach Lane Books, June 2017) - This is a special book. Not exactly sure how to describe it but I still have that feeling that I read something special and I read this one several weeks ago. The illustrations are very different from Wenzel's Caldecott Honor Book - They All Saw a Cat , yet, they are perfect for this book.

Flashlight Night by Matt Esenwine; Illustrated by Fred Koehler (Boyds Mills Press, September 19, 2017) - I love stories that celebrate imagination and adventure and this book capture both in a book that will capture readers for multiple read alouds.

If you missed the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge post last week, check it out here for even more titles.

So, what have you been reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/15/17

May 15, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Here is what jumped out of the pile in the past few weeks:

Triangle by Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick, March 2017) - The first in a new series by Barnett and Klassen features a friendship between Triangle and Square and a joke.

Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History by Kate Schatz; Illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl (Ten Speed Press, 2016) - A wonderful introduction to awesome women around the world.

Strong is the New Pretty: A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves by Kate T. Parker (Workman Publishing, January 2017) - A book for every young girl in your life. It was inspirational.

Lucia the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza; Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez (POW!, March 2017) - Another book featuring a strong girl and what it means to be a hero.

The Case of the Stinky Stench: Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast #2 by Josh Funk; Illustrated by Brendan Kearney (Sterling, May 2, 2017) - Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast are back in another funny, and entertaining read aloud.

Full Moon Lore by Ellen Wahi; Illustrated by Ashley Stewart (Sleeping Bear Press, April 2017) - Beautifully illustrated look at the twelve months.

Abigail the Whale by Davide Cali; Illustrated by Sonja Bougaeva (Owlkids Books, September 16, 2016) - A read aloud that can open discussion about the power of how we perceive ourselves and the limits that may hinder us by what others say.

Explorers of the Wild by Cale Atkinson (Disney-Hyperion, 2016) - A boy and a bear that learn about friendship while enjoying a wild adventure.

I have held back some titles in order to share them on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In case you missed it...

#Road2Reading Challenge: The Case of the Poached Egg

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: A Personal Vent About Nonfiction and Page Requirements

From Carolyn...

YA Friday Summer Update

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/1/17

May 1, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here is what jumped out of the pile in the past few weeks:

Rain by Sam Usher (Templar Publishing, 2016) - A beautiful story of playing in the rain.

Tidy by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots, 2016) - Can you be too tidy? When a badger gets a bit carried away with cleaning the forest.

Willow and the Wedding by Denise Brennan-Nelson; Illustrated by Cyd Moore (Sleeping Bear Press, May 15, 2017) - Willow loves to dance and learns that her favorite uncle used to love dancing. She sets a goal of getting him to dance at his wedding. I felt that this book handled the aspect of a same sex marriage in a sensitive and age appropriate way.

Sea Monkey & Bob by Aaron Reynolds; Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi - I always enjoy Debbie Ridpath Ohi's illustrations. A fun read aloud with a focus on floating and sinking.

Don't Blink by Tom Booth (Feiwel & Friends, June 2016) - Enjoyed the illustrations in this one and I want to see how young children interact with this story about a staring contest with the characters in the book.

Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, The First Woman Pilot by Matthew Clark Smith; Illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick, March 14, 2017) - Fascinated to learn about Sophie Blanchard and her love for flying.

Soldier Song: A True Story of the Civil War by Debbie Levy; Illustrated by Gilbert Ford (Disney-Hyperion, February 7, 2017) - Enjoyed this look at the Civil War from the perspective of songs, and in particularly "Home Sweet Home".

Bravo! Poems About Amazing Latinos by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Rafael Lopez (Henry Holt & Co. - I enjoyed this book of poems celebrating the lives of various Latino men and women.

What I am currently reading...

Language At the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can't, And What Can Be Done About It by Mark Seidenberg (Basic Civitas Books, January 2017) - Long and dense, but interesting. May end up reading specific chapters rather than the whole book.

In case you missed these other posts:

#Road2Reading Challenge: April New Releases

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: March & April New Releases

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What are you reading? 4/26/17

Share, Big Bear, Share!: Review and Giveway

So, what are you reading?

It is Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 4/10/17

April 10, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Here is what jumped out of the pile in the past few weeks:

Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin; Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill (Dial Books, March 14, 2017) - This takes the pet rock idea to an all new humorous level.

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper (Roaring Brook Press, March 14, 2017) - A sweet story about an older and younger cat.

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith (Scholastic 2016) - A fun alternative to the traditional Little Red Riding Hood tale.

Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio; Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli (Macmillan 2016) - A humorous tale about taming a wild dragon.

Wilcox and Griswold Mystery: The Case of the Poached Egg by Robin Newman; Illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books, April 11, 2017) - More coming about this follow-up to The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake.

Pod vs. Pod (Squish#8) by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm (Random House, August 2016) - Somehow I missed this one.

Keep a Pocket in Your Poem by J. Patrick Lewis; Illustrated by Johanna Wright (WordSong, March 28, 2017) - Lewis provides a parody poem to classic poems written by Langston, Frost, Dickenson and more.

Thunder Underground by Jane Yolen; Illustrated by Josée Masse (WordSong, March 28, 2017) - A look at "under" from various angles.

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth; Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. - Simply a beautiful book and a beautiful tribute to poets.

Professional Texts in progress....

"What are the Rest of my Kids Doing?" Fostering Independence in the K-2 Reading Workshop by Lindsey Moses with Meridith Ogden (Heinemann Publishing, February 2017) - I am about halfway through this book. Moses and Ogden provide a handbook for teachers that are new at reading workshop or looking for ideas to improve elements of their workshop.

Here are some other "What are you reading?" posts that you might be interested in....

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What are you reading?

#Road2Reading Challege: What are you reading?

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 3/20/17

March 20, 2017 Alyson Beecher

On Saturday, March 4th, I went shoe shopping. It is always a stressful activity for me. I have feet issues and need comfortable shoes but also want something that looks good. When I got home that night, I added about 75+ books to my account at the public library. It was great to off-set the stress by doing something I love. I went through my list of books I wanted to read and requested 2016 titles that I had missed, and books from lists that I had been seeing on Facebook and the internet. Over the two weeks, I have read 63 picture books and requested more titles as I returned several bags of books. I am going to mention some of the books later this week in a nonfiction post and a few more in my #Road2Reading post tomorrow.

All of the books listed below are ones that are worth picking up and checking out...

This photo is of the first two bags of picture books that I picked up from the library since the beginning of March. I have picked up two more since then. To see all that I have been reading, check out my GoodReads page.

Bob, Not Bob!: *to be read as though you have the worst cold ever by Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Matthew Cordell (Disney-Hyperion, February 2017)

Laundry Day by Jessixa Bagley (Roaring Brook Press, February 2017)

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre (Beach Lane Books, October 2016) - This is gorgeous. If you are looking for a snow book for young children, check this one out.

Pete With No Pants by Rowboat Watkins (Chronicle Books, May 2, 2017) - A silly read aloud that is sure to get some chuckles.

What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004)

We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures by Amnesty International and additional collaborators (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2008) - Amazing illustrations from multiple contributors.

Round by Joyce Sidman (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 7, 2017) - Sidman is on my "must find" list.

A Perfect Day by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press, February 14, 2017) - Love Smith's illustrations in tis book.

A Well-Mannered Young Wolf by Jean Leroy, Illustrated by Mattieu Maudet(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, October 2016)

Tinyville Town Gets to Work by Brian Biggs (Harry N. Abrams, September 2016)

Martin's Dream Day by Kitty Kelley (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, January 2017)

I Want to be a Cowgirl by Jeanne Willis; Illustrated by Tony Ross (Henry Holt and Company, 2002)

Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen (Dial Books, 2008)

Mark your calendar for this book....

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzalez; Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Salaam Reads, August 29, 2017) - When I was on the diversity panel last week, Zareen Jaffrey introduced us to this beautifully illustrated book that celebrates diversity.

In case you missed these posts: