It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 7/27/15

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys.  Jen Vincent ofTeach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Last week was my comic book/graphic novel edition. I was trying to catch up on some graphic novels and as you can see in one of the photographs further down, I have purchased a few more graphic novels to read (though a few of them I have read, Jax, aka, the 14 yro, had not read them).  This week I was trying to catch up with new picture books, but before we get to what I read. Here are some highlights from last week along with links.

Books featured on the blog last week:

Night Animals by Gianna Marino 

Don't forget to check out the Nonfiction New Releases Post.

Check out what teen blogger, Carolyn is reading in her Summer Round-Up Post.

Here are my book purchases from last week:

Here is what I have been reading....

The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt; Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, August 18, 2015) - Often times, sequels fail to live up to the first book but Daywalt & Jeffers hit it out of the park with this one. Be sure to pre-order your copy from your local indie bookstore.

First Grade Dropout by Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Matthew Cordell (Clarion Books, July 7, 2015) - What happens when you make a mistake and everyone laughs? For some kids, it feels like the end of the world. First Grade Dropout will be great as a read aloud and discussion starter. 

Woodpecker Wham! by April Pulley Sayre; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Henry Holt, May 12, 2015) - I will be sharing more about this book on an upcoming Wednesday nonfiction picture book post. 

I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton (Viking Books for Young Readers, July 7, 2015) - A bit more of a fiction book but definitely filled with facts. A good entryway to spiders.

Welcome Home, Bear: A Book of Animal Habitats by Il Sung Na (Knopf Books, July 7, 2015) - If you are looking for a fiction pair up for animal habitats for younger children, this will be worth the look.  The illustrations are beautiful.

Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert; Illustrated by Lisa Brown (Clarion Books, July 21, 2015) - Cat lovers will appreciate the sentiments in this story. I was also fascinated with the facts about Egyptians and burial procedures contained at the end of the book. 

Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen; Illustrated by Matt Phelan (Candlewick, March 10, 2015) - I may have a new favorite book. I love Matt Phelan's illustrations and the story is wonderful too.

Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad by Liz Climo (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 5, 2015) - I am always skeptical of "parent" books. However, I really love Rory and his dad and this one made me love the pair even more.

Maple and Willow Apart by Lori Nichols (Nancy Paulsen Books, July 21, 2015) - Here is another author who just keeps a series moving along in a way that just keeps getting better. Fans of Maple and Willow will love this book. 

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Joss Funk; Illustrated by Brendan Kearney (Sterling, September 1, 2015) - Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast learn a lesson as they race for that last drop of maple syrup. A humorous read aloud with an important lesson to learn.

The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi (Kids Can Press, August 1, 2015) - Described as Alice in Wonderland meets Little Red Riding Hood, The Tea Party in the Woods is even better thanks to Miyakoshi own spin on a little girl traveling to deliver a pie to grandma's house. 

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder; Illustrated by Julie Morstad (Chronicle Books, August 18, 2015) - You will be hearing more from me about this one. I think this is one of the best by both Snyder and Morstad.

Fur, Fins, and Feathers: Abraham Dee Bartlett and the Invention of the Modern Zoo by Cassandre Maxwell (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, August 10, 2015) - I knew next to nothing about Abraham Dee Bartlett or the origins of the London Zoo; however, Maxwell drew me in and made me want to know more. Always good with a picture book biography.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (Feiwel & Friends, September 22, 2015) - Do I really need to encourage anyone to read this? It is by Katherine Applegate, that alone should have you ordering this one. And it has a large black & white cat as an imaginary friend! Seriously, what more do you need? This probably is one of my favorite Middle Grade reads of the year, and a heart-print book for sure. 

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 7/20/15

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys.  Jen Vincent ofTeach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Last week was my "catch-up" post. It was a big post. Today, I am calling this the comic book/graphic novel edition. I was trying to catch up on some graphic novels and though I did not do as well as I had hoped to do, I did get in some good ones.  Also, if you missed out on the Eisner Award Winners, here is a link to the list of winners. I am hoping to catch up on the ones for children that I have yet to read. 

My Reviews from last week:

Watch Out for Flying Kids! How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community by Cynthia Levinson 

Wish by Matthew Cordell

Space Boy and His Dog by Dian Curtis Regan; Illustrated by Robert Neubecker

What I read:

Little Robot by Ben Hatke (First Second, September 1, 2015) - This nearly wordless, graphic novel about friendship for younger readers is super wonderful. I can't wait to see the finished copy in September. 

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Review: Romeo & Juliet by Ian Lendler; Illustrated by Zack  (First Second, September 29, 2015) - Shakespeare in a comic book form for kids...simply a lot of fun.

G-Man: Learning to Fly Vol. 1 by Chris Giarrusso (Image Comics, October 2015) - I know a lot of 9 & 10 year olds who will enjoy this series. 

Ms. Marvel: Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson; Illustrated by Adrian Alphona (Marvel, October 2014) - Why have I not read this series earlier? I loved it. Glad there are two more volumes to read.

Gotham Academy: Vol. 1 by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher; Illustrations by Karl Kerschil (DC Comics, June 17, 2015) - Another fun new series set in the the DC Comics universe. I may have to get individual issues since volume 2 won't be out until March 2016. 

So, what are you reading? 

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 7/13/15

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys.  Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Normally, I love this "meme" and participate in it very consistently. In the past, I have missed a week or two here and there. However, the first six months of this year life has been less than normal for me. As a way of getting things back on track, I am trying to get back to my normal reading and blogging routine, which means getting back to this meme. 

To do that, I am doing a mega-catch up post with my favorite books from the past 3 months (April 1 to July 13th).  Please note: I have included release dates for books coming out in August, September, & October. 

Picture Books:

Anna Banana and the Chocolate Explosion by Dominique Roques; Illustrated by Alexis Dormal (First Second, June 2015) - If you have not read Sleep Tight, Anna Banana, I would add that to you list as well. Both feature an adorable tyke and lots of mischief.  

Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio; Illustrated by Eric Wight (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, September 1, 2015) - Whether you like bacon or not, this will be one book that you will want to read when it comes out. It also has a great ending. 

I Used to Be Afraid by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook Press, September 29, 2015) - I am a big fan of Seeger's work and this one is a bit different but just as enjoyable. Also, it has a fabulous ending. 

Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead; Illustrated by Erin E. Stead (Roaring Brook Press, October 6, 2015) - The team of Stead and Stead are back with another charming book of friendship and imagination. 

Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Christian Robinson (Chronicle Books, August 25, 2015) - There are a lot of friendship books out there but this may just be one of my favorites. It is hard to be a friend when you are a ghost, but there is just the right friend out there.  

Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter; Illustrated by Birgitta Sif (Knopf Books for Young Readers, May 2015) - Sure cat lovers will adore this book, but it really is about finding courage and facing your fears. 

My Pen by Christopher Myers (Disney-Hyperion, March 10, 2015) - A beautifully illustrated book about imagination. 

One Day, The End: Short, Very Short, Shorter-than-Ever Stories by Rebecca Kai Dotlich; Illustrated by Fred Koehler (Boyds Mills Press, October 6, 2015) - This is probably one of my favorite books of 2015 and you will be hearing more about this one from me.

The Skunk by Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (Roaring Brook Press, April 2015) - Quirky and wonderful - just what you can expect from Barnett & McDonnell. 

Where's Walrus? And Penguin? by Stephen Savage (Scholastic, September 29, 2015) - A Wonderful follow-up to Where's Walrus? 

Early Readers/Early Chapter Books:

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #2) by Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick Press, August 25, 2015) - The 2nd book in the Deckawoo Drive series. I think it maybe even better than the first one and I enjoyed that one too.

I Will Take a Nap! by Mo Willems (Disney-Hyperion, June 2, 2015) - I had a blast reading this with Cynthia Alaniz at ALA.  Another fun Elephant & Piggie book to share with young readers. 

Little Shaq by Shaquille O'Neal; Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (Bloomsbury Children's, October 6, 2015) - This is the first book in a new early chapter book series by Shaquille O'Neal. It will easily find fans. 

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree by Ellen Potter; Illustrated by Qin Leng (Knopf Books for Young Readers, August 4, 2015) - Ellen Potter is back with a new early chapter book set in Maine and a one room school house. I look forward to further books in the series. 

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Candlewick, October 13, 2015) - The Princess in Black is back and it is hard to celebrate your birthday, entertain friends, and fight monsters. Fans of the first book will certainly enjoy this follow-up. 

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones; Illustrated by Katie Kath (Knopf Books for Young Readers, May 2015) - This one is really more of a transition books for readers moving from early chapter books to MG novels. And of course anything with chickens has to be funny and this one certainly is fun to read.

Waiting by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, September 1, 2015) - Henkes is back with a charming story of life on a windowsill for a group of toys. 

Graphic Novels:

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola; Illustrated by Emily Carroll (Candlewick Press, August 4, 2015) - For fans of Baba Yaga tales, McCoola provides a just right creepy retelling of the classic story. Carroll (Through the Woods ) illustrative style matches perfectly. 

Bad Babysitter (Babymouse #19) by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Random House, April 14, 2015) - As with everything Babymouse faces ups and downs when taking on her first babysitting duties. 

Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day (Book 2) by Sarah Dillard (Aladdin 2014) - An early graphic novel that features a chicken. As I said earlier, chicken stories are always funny and this one will entertain young readers. 

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Scholastic Graphix, August 25, 2015) - As the 9 yro in my life said , "I liked that it had funny parts, and serious parts, and parts where she is younger. I really liked it." Different from Jenni & Matt Holm's previous graphic novels but sure to be a hit with readers. 

Middle Grade Novels:

George by Alex Gino (Scholastic, August 25, 2015) - George is a fourth grade boy who identifies as a girl and aspires to play Charlotte (Charlotte's Web) in a school play. The emotional challenge of keeping such a big secret and the struggle in determining how to reveal it to family and friends is handled with sensitivity and hope. 

The Great Good Summer by Liz Garton Scanlon (Beach Lane Books, May 2015) - Scanolon's first novel is filled with honest emotions, big questions, friendship, and a road trip of discovery.

The Inker's Shadow by Allen Say (Scholastic, September 29, 2015) Say's follow-up to Drawing From Memory takes readers further on the journey that Say faced in becoming an artist/illustrator. 

The Marvels by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press, September 15, 2015) - Though this may follow in the footsteps of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, The Marvels is unique in it's own way. This one moved me on a very deep emotional level and if you cry easily, I recommend a box of tissues. 

Ruby On the Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin (Simon & Schuster, June 16, 2015) - This will be a quiet book and may need help finding the right readers. However, there are children out there holding tightly onto secrets and afraid to make a friend or trust someone because of their secrets. 

Nonfiction (for more nonfiction check out the #nfpb2015 challenge on Wednesdays):

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton; Illustrated by Don Tate (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, April 1, 2015) - I had little to no background knowledge of John Roy Lynch. Barton provides young readers with enough to draw them in and leave them wanting to learn more. Tate's illustrations make readers feel the importance of Lynch and his life. 

The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond (Enchanted Lion Books, May 2015) - A beautiful book about a beautiful creature. Desmond uses text and illustrations to help children understand importance information about Blue Whales.

Enormous Smallness: A Story of E.E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess; Illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo (Enchanted Lion Books, April 7, 2015) - A wonderful picture book introduction to the life of E.E. Cummings. 

Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar by Sally Derby; Illustrated by Sean Qualls (Candlewick Press, September 22, 2015) Poetry and prose mix together to tell about the life of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. 

Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World's Most Memorable Photographs by Ruth Thompson, Various (Candlewick, 2014) - This is one of those books that invites discussion and thought.  Through the use of photographs, background information, questions and zooming in and out, readers are left to create their own conclusions.

Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation by Peggy Thomas; Illustrations by Stacy Innerst (Calkins Creek, September 8, 2015) - It would be interesting to pull together the various picture book biographies on Thomas Jefferson in order to look at the various aspects of this leader's life. Thomas provides readers with further insight to Jefferson's agricultural interests, as well as, his work in France.

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews; Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Abrams, April 2015) - An entertaining autobiographical picture book about the early life of Trombone Shorty and the path that led him to becoming an internationally known jazz musician.

So, what are you reading? 

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to Young Adult - 5/18/15

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.

It has been weeks since I posted a "What Are You Reading?" post. I have been reading. it's just been a very unusual time in my life. After taking a break, it has made me think about how I might want to tweak this post. This week, I am going to play catch up and share some books that you might want to add to your "TBR" pile.  

Here's what jumped out of the stack for me:

And check out the new Young Adult section. Here is what Carolyn's been reading. 

Young Adult Book Review by Carolyn: 
If you have not been checking the blog on Fridays, teen blogger, Carolyn has been reviewing some great Young Adult books. Carolyn started blogging with me last summer. She is a prolific reader and has been bringing us some of her favorite Young Adult reads. I have provided links to her reviews for the past several weeks. 

Dead to Me by Mary McCoy (Disney-Hyperion, March 2015)

Deception's Pawn by Esther Friesner (Random House, April 2015)

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Geir (Henry Holt & Co., April 2015)

Kin by Lili St. Crow (Razorbill, March 2015)

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee (G.P. Putnam & Sons, March 2015)

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (G.P. Putnam & Sons, May 2015)

Some favorites of mine from the stack: 

Bad Babysitter (Babymouse #19) by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House Books for Young Readers, April 2015)

Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World's Most Memorable Photographs by Ruth Thomson, Illustrated by Various (Candlewick Press, August 2014)

Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure (Toon Graphic) by Nadja Spiegelman, Illustrated by Sergio García Sánchez (Toon Graphics, April 2015)

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones; Illustrated by Katie Kath (Knopf Books for Young Children, May 2015)

Super Fly: The World's Smallest Superhero by Todd H. Doodler (Bloomsbury, May 2015)

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 3/30/15

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 tried to get a handle on my TBR pile. I read some wonderful books but I am holding off on posting them until one of my Wednesday Nonfiction Picture Book posts. 

Here is what jumped out of the pile this week:

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer; Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown (Chronicle Books, May 5, 2015)- I saw this book at the Chronicle Preview party at ALA Midwinter. A wonderful book about different kinds of families and how all of them should be celebrated.

Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Meg Hunt (Chronicle Books, May 5, 2015) - A fun twist on the classic Cinderella story. Cinderella knows her stuff and is an intergalactic mechanic. 

 Luna & Me: The Story of Julia Butterfly Hill by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Henry Holt & Co., May 12, 2015) - A story of how one young woman made the difference in saving the life of a tree and more. 

Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds; Illustrated by Matt Davies (Roaring Brook Press, September 22, 2015) - Those of us who love books will find some wonderful moments in this book. 

Cat & Bunny by Mary Lundquist (Balzer & Bray, January 2015) - A friendship story that is simply adorable. 

Who Wants a Hug? by Jeff Mack (HarperCollins, January 2015) - Bear loves giving hugs. Skunk doesn't really want one, but then comes a moment when maybe a hug would be good.

The Writing Thief: Using Mentor Texts to Teach the Craft of Writing by Ruth Culham (International Reading Association, 2014) - I have been reading a number of books on mentor texts for a presentation that I am doing and I would recommend this one to those new to mentor texts.

So, what are you reading?