Kid Lit Frenzy

. Jen from

and Kellee and Ricki from

The Day I Lost My Superpowers

have adapted it to focus on

Picture Books to Young Adult Books

This week was an awesome reading week. I started book-a-day a bit early and have read over 50 books this past week.

16 - nonfiction or informational text

1 - poetry

6 - Early Readers

30 - picture books

2 - MG graphic novel

Total

: 55 books

Much of what I read this week has come from checking out the

What are You Reading?

and

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

posts from all of you.

Here is what jumped out of the stack...

New Releases...

Camp Rex

by Molly Idle (Viking Juvenile, April 1, 2014) - I love Molly Idle and Tea Rex is back and this time camping.

Number One Sam

by Greg Pizzoli (Disney-Hyperion, May 13, 2014) - A great story about learning how to loose.

by Michael Escoffier; Illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo (Enchanted Lion Books, April 1, 2014) - Every child thinks that they have superpowers and even parents have superpowers.

This is a Moose

by Richard T. Morris; Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 6, 2014) - How should a moose act? Or any animals for that matter? Love the twist at the end.

Upcoming books...

Hunters of the Great Forest

by Dennis Nolan (Roaring Brook Press, October 28, 2014) - This wordless picture book has a great twist and some hidden details if you look carefully.

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads

by Bob Shea; Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press, October 7, 2014) - One pint-sized sheriff take on some big bad "toads".

Sebastian and the Balloon

by Philip Christian Stead (Roaring Brook Press, October 7, 2014) - Stead has a new book coming out. His storytelling is quiet but special.

You Are (Not) Small

by Anna Kang; Illustrated by Christopher Weyant (Two Lions, August 5, 2014) - A fun look at size and perspective.

Nonfiction books...

Best Foot Forward

by Ingo Arndt (Holiday House, 2013) - A fun exploration of animals based on their feet, paws, flippers, and claws.

How Big Were Dinosaurs?

by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, 2013) - Judge introduces the size of dinosaurs by comparing them to current day animals and objects/things.

Manfish: The Story of Jacques Cousteau

by Jennifer Berne; Illustrated by Éric Puybaret (Chronicle Books, 2008) - A wonderful introductory biography to Jacques Cousteau.

What to Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy

by Barbara Kerley; Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic, 2008) - Alice Roosevelt was a firecracker of a personality and this book captures her spirit.

Miscellaneous...

The New Girl...and Me

by Jacqui Robbins; Illustrated by Matt Phelan (Atheneum, 2006) - A wonderful story to have in a classroom when talking about introducing a new student.

My Father's Arms are a Boat

by Stein Erik Lunde, Illustrated by Oyvind Torseter, Translated by Kari Dickson (Enchanted Lion Books, 2013) - I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this one, but this wasn't it. However, this was a very special story of loss and comfort.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/26/14

May 26, 2014 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you reading?

is hosted by Sheila of

. Jen from

and Kellee and Ricki from

The Scraps Book: Notes From a Colorful Life

have adapted it to focus on

Picture Books to Young Adult Books

As I get wrapped up with the final days of the school year, my reading for fun takes a back seat. Looking forward to starting #bookaday on June 1st.

Here is what jumped out of the stack...

Zoe's Jungle

by Bethanie Deeney Murguia (Arthur A. Levine, May 27, 2014) - Zoe and her sister have more fun and this time an adventure in the park. I love how Murguia captures exactly the feelings of the children and the mother in her Zoe series.

by Lois Ehlert (Simon & Schuster,

March 4, 2014)

Many of us have used Lois Ehlert's books in our classrooms. With her characteristic style, she has created a memoir of sorts that tells some of her life and lots of the stories behind her stories.

Big Bug

by Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster, April 15, 2014) -

Beginning with a bug, Cole takes readers on a journey of big and little and how perspective can easily change.

Perfect for younger readers.

Little Elliot, Big City

by Mike Curato (Henry Holt and Co., August 26, 2014) -

A small elephant, an even tinier mouse, and cupcakes...do you really need more?! Loved the artwork and this story on perspective. and friendship.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/19/14

May 19, 2014 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you reading?

is hosted by Sheila of

. Jen from

and Kellee and Ricki from

The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw

have adapted it to focus on

Picture Books to Young Adult Books

Just as I thought I was getting back into the swing of things, I have a week where I spent nearly every night out. However, I did manage to squeeze in some fabulous books.

Here is what jumped out of the stack...

Mouseheart

Lisa Fiedler; Illustrated by Vivienne To - Click on the title to go to my post on this book. There is also a giveaway happening.

by Christopher Healy; Illustrated by (Walden Pond Press, April 29, 2014) - It is so sad that the series is ending. I have really enjoyed this one and frequently hand sell it to people wherever I am. If you click on the link, you can go to my post on this book and enter to win a copy.

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl

by Ben Hatke (First Second, May 13, 2014) - I feel like I have been waiting so long for this book, and I am so glad it is finally here. It is the final installment in the trilogy, and I will miss Zita and her wonderful attitude.

If I Had a Raptor

by George O'Connor (Candlewick Press, May 13, 2014) - O'Connor is well known for his Olympian Graphic Novels, but I have to say I really enjoyed this one.

I love the illustrations in this book, and it would be a good choice to use when discussing with students the difference between what the text says and what the visuals are communicating.

The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening

by Chris Raschka (Candlewick, May 13, 2014) - Interesting and a bit out there. However, I suspect that Sun Ra, the musician, was also a bit out there. The illustrations are amazing.

It's An Orange Aardvark

by Michael Hall (Greenwillow, April 22, 2014) - Hall uses his characteristic style to create a fun story with repetitive lines and the need to make predictions.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/12/14

May 12, 2014 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you reading?

is hosted by Sheila of

. Jen from

and Kellee and Ricki from

Happy Birthday, Babymouse (Babymouse #18)

have adapted it to focus on

Picture Books to Young Adult Books

I have been steadily getting back into the swing of things with books. It feels good! This week, I have a really variety of books that I read. I did try to squeeze in more picture books but some of them did not jump out at me and for that reason I am not including them in this post.

Here is what jumped out of the stack...

by Jennifer L. Holm and Matt Holm (Random House, April 22, 2014) - I love Babymouse and I love when a new book comes out. Babymouse has some competition for her birthday party. Fun story, and love the ending.

Rules of Summer

by Shaun Tan (Holder's Children Division, June 1, 2014) - Tan's books are always a bit trippy but I do love them so much.

The Most Magnificient Thing

by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, April 1, 2014) - I really loved this book, and it had a great message

about creativity, friendship, and also perseverance.

The Meaning of Maggie

by Megan Jean Sovern (Chronicle Books, May 6, 2014) - Where was this book when I was a child? I would have loved a book about a character whose parent had multiple sclerosis. Written with humor, and a lot of heart.

The Secret Hum of a Daisy

by Tracy Holczer (Putnam Juvenile, May 1, 2014) - Check out my interview with debut author, Tracy Holczer

here

. - This is a beautifully written story that I am placing on my Mock-Newbery list.

Books I will be reading for awhile...

In Pictures and In Words: Teaching the Qualities of Good Writing Through Illustration Study

by Katie Wood Ray (Heinemann, May 27, 2010)

About the Authors: Writing Workshop With Our Youngest Writers

by Katie Wood Ray (Heinemann, January 14, 2004)

So, What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 5/5/14

May 5, 2014 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you reading?

is hosted by Sheila of

. Jen from

and Kellee and Ricki from