It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/29/14

December 29, 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 have continued to track down some of the 2014 picture books on my TBR pile and went through a stack of graphic novels and some other books. I am trying to squeeze in another 20+ books before December 31st.

Here is what stood out in the pile this week:

Hansel and Gretel retold by Neil Gaiman; Illustrated by Lorenzo Mattoti (Toon Books, October 2014) - Gaiman has retold Hansel and Gretel in his own dark style accompanied by black ink illustrations.

Amulet, Vol. 6: Escape from Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi (Graphix, August 2014) - The story continues and I finally sat down and read it. So glad that I did. The action and adventure and journey continues in book 6 and sets up readers for a book 7.

Bird and Squirrel On Ice by James Burks (Graphix, September 2014) - The hilarious odd couple of bird and squirrel are back with an encounter with penguins and a giant whale.

We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song by Debbie Levy (Jump at the Sun, December 2013) - A look at the song We Shall Overcome and it's influences over the decades.

At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasure of Mawangdui by Christine Liu-Perkins (Charlesbridge, April 2014) - If you like mummy stories and history, this one is a must read.

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Houghton (Candlewick, September 2014) - Just a delightful picture book that I have somehow missed earlier in the year.

The History of Money: From Bartering to Banking by Martin Jenkins; Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura (Candlewick Press, August 2014) - An engaging look at the history of money.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #1) by Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick, August 2014) - Leroy, and his horse Maybelline end up on Deckawoo Drive. For fans of Mercy Watson.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/22/14

December 22, 2014 Alyson Beecher

I have continued to track down some of the picture books on the BEST OF lists as well as some others in my TBR pile. The end of the year is coming so quickly and I am running out of time. I am happy to say I did find a few more and even got to read a few releases coming in 2015.

Here is what stood out in the pile this week:

Rags Hero Dog of WWI: A True Story by Margot Theis Raven; Illustrated by Petra Brown (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2014) - Dogs can be amazing and their loyalty unwavering. Dog lovers, animal lovers, kids will all enjoy this story of one incredible dog.

Tooling Around by Ellen Jackson; Illustrated by Renee Benoit (Charlesbridge Publishing, January 2014) - The illustrations are beautiful in this book, and it was fascinating to see how different animals have created tools to help them with a variety of functions.

Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass by Suzanne Buckingham Slade; Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell (Charlesbridge, October 2014) - I was unaware of the friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Slade gives readers an inside view to their friendship and the battles they fought for the rights of African Americans and women.

Every Last Drop: Bringing Clean Water Home by Michelle Mulder (Orca Book Publishers, April 2014) - Mulder makes the need for clean water engaging, informative, and has some fun with it as well. It certainly made me think more carefully about how I use water.

Migrant: The Journey of a Mexican Worker by Jose Manual Mateo; Illustrated by Javier Martinez Pedro (Abrams, April 2014) - An accordion style book with the illustrations on both sides and the story in English on one side and in Spanish on the other side. Unique and informative and it would be interesting to look at with students.

Albie's First Words: A Tale Inspired by Albert Einstein's Childhood by Jaqueline Tourville; Illustrated by Wayne Evans (Schwartz & Wade, October 2014) - Most people that know anything about Albert Einstein know that he did not say his first words until he was a little bit older. This playful tale has fun with what Einstein must have been thinking as he explores so much but never utters a word.

Animals That Make Me Say Wow!: Secret Hideaways, Infrasonic Hearing, Bubble Gills, and More by Dawn Cusick (Imagine, October 2014) - This is one book in a series of animal fact books that combines beautiful photographs with informative facts. Definitely a book for the school library.

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm (Blue Sky Press, 2009) - I am still looking for the newest book in this series, but I enjoyed reading this one while I wait to find Buried Sunlight which was released in September.

Stormy Night by Salina Yoon (Bloomsbury, January 2015) - I love how Salina Yoon always manages to capture the emotions behind the scenarios facing her characters. Bear and his floppy bunny are back and this time there is a thunderstorm.

Must. Push. Buttons! by Jason Good; Illustrated by Jarrett Krosoczka (Bloomsbury, January 2015) - Ever wonder what must be going on in the mind of a 2 year old? Jason Good attempts to provide readers with a sense of a toddler's thought process.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/15/14

December 15, 2014 Alyson Beecher

I have been trying to track down some of the picture books on the BEST OF lists as well as some others in my TBR pile. There were some awesome reads including one that will be coming in 2015.

Here is what stood out in the pile this week:

Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub by Darcy Pattison; Illustrated by Kitty Harvill (Mims House, March 2014) - I would probably never have discovered this one if I hadn't checked out NSTA's Outstanding Tradebooks of 2015. A wonderful story of an orphaned cub.

Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle by Cheryl Bardoe; Illustrated by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge, March 2014) - This was also on the NSTA list and what a fascinating story about beetles.

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Candlewick Press, October 14, 2014) - Shannon and Dean Hale work well together as writers and this was a fun story that 1st and 2nd graders will certainly enjoy. Pham's illustrations compliment the story.

Batman Science: The Real World Science Behind Batman's Gear by Tammy Enz, Agnieszka Biskup (Capstone, 2014) - I enjoyed learning so much about the science behind all of the gear that a superhero without special powers might need in order to fight the bad guys. Fourth graders on up will enjoy this one.

A Rock Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas; Illustrated by Violeta Dabija (Millbrook Press, March 2015) - I love this series and so excited to see the advanced copy of this book. Can't wait until it is out.

On the Wing by David Elliott; Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander (Candlewick, September 2014) - A beautifully illustrated collection of poems about birds.

A Perfectly Messed Up Story by Patrick McDonnell (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 2014) - Children are going to enjoy this story about a reader who is pretty sloppy in how he handle the book, which makes the main character pretty upset.

Matisses's Garden by Samantha Friedman; Henri Matisse; Illustrated by Christina Amodeo (Museum of Modern Art, October 2014) - Recently, there are have been some wonderful picture book biographies about Matisse and this is one of them.

Bow-Wow's Nightmare Neighbors by Mark Newgarden; Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash (Roaring Brook Press, November 2014) - This wordless book was quite enjoyable and provides enough entertainment for multiple reads.

Harlem Hellfighters by J. Patrick Lewis; Illustrated by Gary Kelley (Creative Editions, August 2014) - Beautiful illustrations and free verse text tell the story of war, racism, and courage.

Attack! Boss! Cheat Code! by Chris Barton; Illustrated by Joey Spiotto (POW! October 2014) - An ABC book for gamers or those who would like to understand them.

So, what have you been reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/1/14

December 1, 2014 Alyson Beecher

Things have slowed down recently and I was able to celebrate the end of Picture Books month with a bookstack of great picture books. Some from this year and some coming in 2015.

Here is what stood out in the pile (Please note date of release, some are 2015 releases.):

Catch That Cookie by Hallie Durand; Illustrated by David Small (Dial, August 14, 2014) - A great twist on the Gingerbread Man story.

Coming Home by Greg Ruth (Feiwel & Friends, November 4, 2014) - A tribute to military families.

Won Ton and Chopstick: A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw; Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin (Henry Holt and Co, March 17, 2015) - Won Ton gets a buddy in this haiku follow-up.

Orangutanka by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Renée Kurilla (Henry Holt and Co, March 24, 2015) - Instead of Haiku, this one is composed of tanka poems.

I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are by Bridget Heos; Illustrated by Jennifer Plecas (Henry Holt and Co, March 10, 2015) - Humor and facts combine for a great informational read on flies.

Winnie: The Remarkable Tale of a Real Bear by Sally M. Walker; Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Co, January 20, 2015) - There is a bear behind the bear. Fans of Winnie the Pooh will enjoy this one.

Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems (Disney-Hyperion, November 4, 2014) - Loved the ending on this most recent Elephant and Piggie book.

Kittens by Laura Ellen Anderson (Boxer Books, March 4, 2014) - Anderson obviously has lived with kittens.

Animalium by Jenny Broom (Candlewick, September 9, 2014) - This is a wow book from the size to the illustrations to the information.

Full Speed Ahead: How Fast Things Go by Crushiform (Abrams, November 4, 2014) - Curious about what goes slower or faster? This one provides quite a few answers.

Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett (Charlesbridge, March 11, 2014) Eight types of bears and lots of facts about all of them.

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 11/10/14

November 10, 2014 Alyson Beecher

In addition to it being a "What Are You Reading?" post, I am also celebrating Picture Book Month. Below you will find some book adventures from last week and some upcoming reviews.

Did you see my post on John Rocco and his new book Blizzard? If not, check out the interview here?

I mentioned last Wednesday that Jeanette Winter has a new picture book biography out. Actually a 2-in-1. It features Malala Yousafzai on one side and Iqbal Masih on the other side. The story tells about the bravery about these young people and the stances they took. Though they had different outcomes for each one, the stories are powerful.

Malala A Brave Girl From Pakistan/Iqbal A Brave Boy From Pakistan by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books, November 2014)

This book would pair up nicely with Dear Malala, We Stand With You by Rosemary McCarney (Note: The book also has the other name of Every Day is Malala Day)

Last Wednesday, I was at Once Upon a Time bookstore and picked up three new books. The one by Jeanette Winter, but also Beetle Busters by Loree Griffin Burns and Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman. I will be reviewing both of these on Wednesday.

On Friday, I had the honor of hosting and introducing author, Julie Berry at her West Coast Book Launch for The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

Check out the book trailer for the book:

Finally, I received a copy of A Christmas Wish for Corduroy by B.G. Hennessy (Viking Juvenile, October 2014). Corduroy came to a school with me on Friday so I could tell the kids about him and his newest book.

So, what are you reading?

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