It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 11/3/14

November 3, 2014 Alyson Beecher

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 know that this is A What are Your Reading? post but this past week was spent preparing for my first conference call for the Schneider Award. Since my reading selections are confidential, I am going to use this post to celebrate Picture Book Month.

So, I am sharing a favorite author/illustrator with everyone this week...

A few years ago, I read my first Bob Graham book. Since then I have read several more. Even though I haven't read all of the books by Graham, I have loved those that I have read. There is something gentle and kind and special about Graham's work. Graham can make every day events such as tasting ice cream for the first time or bringing together a neighborhood or the first step of a baby be both every day and momentous.

If you haven't picked up one of Bob Graham's books, Picture Book Month is a great time to discover these fabulous books.

Vanilla Ice Cream

The Silver Button

A Bus Called Heaven

How to Heal a Broken Wing

April and Esme Tooth Fairies

So, what are you reading and how are you celebrating Picture Book Month?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 10/27/14

October 27, 2014 Alyson Beecher

Since most of my reading this week and next will be books I can not share, I will leave you with a couple of fun titles and videos to enjoy. Also, my post yesterday, APPLES, PUMPKINS AND READ ALOUDS has a list of books that I have been reading around the topic of apples, pumpkins, and leaves.

Here is what jumped out of the pile...

The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma by Diane Fox; Illustrated by Christyan Fox (Scholastic, August 26, 2014)

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick, October 14, 2014)

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Mélanie Watts (Kids Can Press, August 2013)

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 10/20/14

October 20, 2014 Alyson Beecher

It has been over a month since I have been able to do a "What are you reading?" blog post. I was lamenting with Kellee Moye about how busy it has been this fall. However, I was determined to do a post for today no matter what. My reading time has been a bit limited but I have been able to sneak a few piles of books in over the past several weeks.

Here is what jumped out of the pile...

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon (Dial, October 9, 2014) - Dory is called Rascal by her family and boy does she fit her name. This would be a fun read aloud in 1st or 2nd grade.

Bramble and Maggie Spooky Season by Jessie Haas; Illustrated by Alison Friend (Candlewick Press, August 2014) - This early reader looks at friendship and also how we help each other overcome fears.

A Bean, A Stalk and a Boy Named Jack by William Joyce (Atheneum, October 7, 2014) - A fractured fairy tale focused on Jack and the Beanstalk as well as a few others woven into the book.

Here Comes Santa Cat! by Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Claudia Rueda (Dial, October 21, 2014) - Easter Cat is now back as Santa Cat. I really enjoy Underwood's books.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein (Putnam, 2007) - A bear learns about leaves and fall and what is waiting for him when he wakes from hibernation.

Looking Closely Trough the Forest by Frank Serafini (Kids Can Press, 2008) - A fun riddle type of "I spy".

The Tweedles Go Electric by Monica Kulling; Illustrated by Marie LaFrance (Groundwood Books, 2014) - Historical Fiction in a picture book format that looks at the electric car.

Druthers by Matt Phelan (Candlewick, September 2014) - Imagination and play at it's finest.

Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light (Balzer & Bray, September 2014) - More imagination plus art and siblings in this book.

The Little World of Liz Climo by Liz Climo (Running Press, September 2014) - Humor in single page comics. This book is essentially a non-age book but will be better appreciated by adults.

Check back over the next several days for some additional posts clustering other books that I have read in the past month.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - September 8, 2014

September 8, 2014 Alyson Beecher

Work has been super busy and I haven't had a lot of time for non-work related reading. Books for the Award Committee that I am on have also started to arrive and lots of my reading time is going to this growing stack. As a result, I have a very small list of books to share. However, you do not want to miss any of these listed below.

Here is what jumped out of the pile...

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo (Clarion Books, September 2, 2014)

Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear by Monica Carnesi (Nancy Paulsen Books, August 7, 2014)

Here is what I am still reading or just starting...

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm (Random House, August 26, 2014) - I am feeling a bit late to the party with this one. I know I will love it when I finally get to spend some time with it.

Amulet 6: Escape from Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi (Scholastic/Graphix, August 26, 2014) - I lent out my copy of Amulet and just got it back or this one would have been finished for today. However, in talking with my niece, we were both thinking we might need to re-read the previous year's book for a refresher.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Atria Books, 2014) - This one is for the adult readers of this blog. I don't usually get to read too many adult novels, but this one had so many good review that I just had to get it from the library and though it will probably take me a while to finish it, so far so good.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - September 1, 2014

September 1, 2014 Alyson Beecher

This past week was a huge release week and so many great books came out. Some of my favorite picture book authors came out with new titles, which I had to read and share. Also, I found a few new ones that were just a lot of fun. I am also reading Amulet, Vol 6: Escape from Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi, and The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm, but not quite finished with them yet.

Here is what jumped out of the stack from this week::

Three Little Peas by Marine Rivoal (Enchanted Lion Books, September 2, 2014) - I have been waiting for this one to come out. It would be a great read aloud in Pre-K to First.

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle (Chronicle Books, September 30, 2014) - Yes, there is a new Flora book and I loved it. What a perfect companion to Flora and the Flamingo.

Aw, Nuts! by Rob McClurkan (HarperCollins, August 26, 2014) - This just made me laugh so I needed to include it here.

Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes by Nicola Davies (Candlewick, August 26, 2014) - Nicola Davies is one of my automatic must read authors. A good introduction to microbes for children.

Quest by Aaron Becker (Candlewick, August 26, 2014) - Becker has the perfect companion to Journey. I can already see how I can use this book in the classroom.

Vanilla Ice Cream by Bob Graham (Candlewick, August 26, 2014) - Graham is another author that I put on an automatic, must read list when he has a new book. There is just something special about his books. He makes the simplest thing seem incredibly special.

Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance by Birgitta Sif (Candlewick, August 26, 2014) - I loved Sif's book Oliver, and when I saw that she had a new one coming out, it went on my must read list. And I loved it.

The Story Starts Here! by Caroline Merola (Owlkids Books, September 15, 2014) - This one was a new find for me and it caused me to laugh out loud at certain scenes. Parents will especially love certain lines, and this will be a hit for storytime.

So, what are you reading?

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