It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 1/25/16

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!

This week, I will be working through the titles from Audacity Jones and up to Pax. 

This past week, I book talked to a class of third graders and I have several new releases that I promised to finish by Friday of this week so I can pass them on to eager readers. Kids really do get excited about reading when they hear why a teacher is excited to read the book. 

On Saturday morning, I popped into Vroman's Bookstore to check out some new releases and chat with the Children's Staff. I haven't had a chance recently to go in and flip through books but it was a lovely way to spend the morning.

I was also excited to receive in the mail the new Kate DiCamillo book. I spoke with one of the fifth grade teachers I know and she has recruited a few students to be early readers. We will post our thoughts closer to April. 

Here are a few other books that jumped out of the stack this week:

I Hear a Pickle: and Smell, See, Touch, & Taste It, Too! by Rachel Isadora (Nancy Paulsen Books, January 12, 2016)

Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer (Nancy Paulsen Books, February 16, 2016)

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Litte Bee Books, January 5, 2016)

Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian; Illustrated by Mike Curato (Balzer & Bray, January 5, 2016)

If you missed the Blog Tour post for Comics Squad: Lunch, click here. 

Don't miss the release of Apollo: The Brilliant One (Olympians #8) by George O'Connor (First Second Books, January 26, 2016)

To see all of what I am reading, check out my GoodReads page, here. So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 1/18/16

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!

Since my last posting, so much has happened. Last Monday, so many gathered both in person and through the webcast to watch the ALA Youth Media Award announcements. 

One of the awards that is very special to me is the Schneider Family Book Award. 

Below is a collage of some pictures from the awards and a few of my committee members. 

And the winners of the Schneider Family Book Awards go to...

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson 

Fish in the Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Nancy Paulsen Books, February 5, 2015) 

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Dial Books, January 8, 2015)

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13 B by Teresa Toten (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, March 10, 2015)

Each of the above books are ones that touched the hearts of the committee members and best embodied the intent of the award. If you have not read these books, I hope you will consider them.

For information about the Sibert Award, check out my Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday post.

Here are some books that jumped out at me from ALA Midwinter:

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk (Dutton Books for Young Readers, April 26, 2016) - Thank you to Penguin Publishers, I had a chance to attend a luncheon with debut author, Lauren Wolk.  You will want to add this one to your "TBR" list.

Some ARCs that I picked up and excited to read:

and this one...

Books seen at or upon arrival back from Midwinter to add to your to read pile:

This is Not a Picture Book by Sergio Ruzzier (Chronicle Books, May 3, 2016) - I love Ruzzier's work and each book he does seems to get better and better. 

Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge (Dial Books, March 1, 2016) - I received this book and special extras from Lita Judge. I have been wanting to read this one and was blown away by this package. 

Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller; Illustrated by Frank Morrison (Chronicle Books, February 9, 2016) - I just had a chance to read this upcoming release. I was unaware of the parade for Wilma Rudolph and how it was the first integrated event in Clarksville. The story is told through the dreams and hopes of two young girls.

So, what are you reading or what are you excited about?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - January 4, 2016

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!

As part of my New Year's goals, I am looking to get back into a regular routine and posting weekly.  

Since much of my reading this past week was connected to re-reading for the awards, I have a limited number of books to share this week. However, I do have some reminders and news to share....

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon (Bloomsbury, January 5, 2016) - If you are in Pasadena, California on January 16, 2016, come on by Vroman's Bookstore at 6 p.m. to meet Salina and celebrate the book launch of her new book.

2016 Mock Sibert: If you or you and your students held a Mock Sibert, it's time to link up. Stop by on Wednesday to share your posts with everyone. Check out these posts too: Mock Sibert Part II & Mock Sibert Part III  

Stop by Wednesday to Sign-Up for the 2016 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.

And here are a couple of titles to check out:

Comics Squad #2: Lunch! by Various (Matthew Holm, Jennifer L. Holm, Cece Bell, Jeffrey Brown and more) - Release Date: January 26, 2016 (Random House)

The Tiara and the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher (HarperCollins, January 5, 2016)

Apollo: The Brilliant One by George O'Connor - Release Date: January 26, 2016 (First Second)

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/28/15

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!

It's been quite a while since I posted a "What are you reading?" post. As we head into 2016, I am looking to get back into a regular routine and posting weekly.  Winter break has given me flexible time to read what I want and to simply enjoy books again. 

Here's are some recent reading favorites...

Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild by Katie Cotton; Illustrated by Stephen Walton (Candlewick, October 2015) - Beautiful beyond belief and a unique counting book. 

How the Sun Got to Coco's House by Bob Graham (Candlewick, September 2015) - A new Bob Graham book. I am in love. 

I Love You Already! by Jory John; Illustrated by Benji Davies (HarperCollins, December 2015) - This one is simply fun and made me smile. 

Written and Drawn by Henrietta by Liniers (Toon Books, September 2015) - I love this book. A perfect mentor text for the writing process. 

My Pet Human by Yasmine Surovec (Roaring Brook Press, August 2015) - Cat lovers will especially appreciate this one, but so will 1st and 2nd graders. 

Coming in 2016....

Chicken in Space by Adam Lehrhaupt; Illustrated by Shahar Kober (HarperCollins, 2016) - A chicken with a fantastic imagination and a pig that really is looking for pie but joins in on the adventure.

Can I Tell You a Secret? by Anna Kang; Illustrated by Christopher Weyant (HarperCollins, May 2016) - Kang and Weyant have a new book and new characters. More fun from this talented couple. 

So, what are you reading? 

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - November 2, 2015

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!

My "IMWAYR" posts are going to be a little strange for the next few weeks. A little bit of a collection of bookish news, a little bit of what I am reading, and a little bit of celebrating things I am thankful for and spotlighting picture books. 

Here is a little of everything...

HOW TO TELL A STORY WEEK!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd is when How to Tell a Story Week begins. I am so thankful to get to work with Jen Vincent from Teach Mentor Texts and the wonderful folks at Workman Publishing to celebrate the creative work of Daniel Nayeri and Brian Won. To further celebrate Jen Teach Mentor Texts  and I recruited Cynthia from Librarian in Cute Shoes, and Jennifer from Reederama to join in on sharing some fun #HowtoTellaStory ideas with you.

30 Days of Gratitude Day 2

All this month, I will be posting something short or sometimes a bit longer on what I am grateful for.  Today, I am grateful for the words of others that inspire me.   

I write about the power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know sorrow. I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is to be broken and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am thankful - for all of it. - Kristen Armstrong

As I was googling quotes on gratitude, I came across this one by Kristen Armstrong. I don't know if she is still blogging for Runner's World but I remember a number of years reading a regular column that she was doing for them and always being inspired. 

I love how she writes about the "power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing". Ah failure! So important to growth and learning.  Do we allow ourselves to take the kind of risks that will help us grow? Do we allow others around us colleagues, students, friends to learn from their mistakes and grow from them? 

I am thankful for dear friends who support me through my falling down and getting back up.

Picture Book Month

Bird
by Jacob Grimm; Illustrated by Beatriz Martin Vidal
Simply Read Books (September 1, 2015)

This description from GoodReads tells it all: 

Anything is possible when you believe. The moment is coming. Be ready. To start a new path, to grow up, to change, to rise to the occasion. 
"Bird" is a stunning wordless picture book by Beatriz Martin Vidal, which brings us up to the moment of a child s flight, as she launches into life and imagination takes off.

The possibility of a new path to grow, and change and reach for the impossible, that is my wish for each of you.  

To see what I have been reading, check out my GoodReads page here. 

So, what are you reading?