It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 4/16/18

April 16, 2018 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

I have been reading a number of longer books lately and I am almost done with them. So until those are finished, here are a collection of picture books that I really enjoyed. Some won't be out until later this spring or early summer. So, mark your calendar.

Here is what jumped out of the pile this past month...

Hello, Hello by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle Books, March 20, 2018) - I love Wenzel's follow-up to They All Saw a Cat. This brightly illustrated book will draw young readers in and have them asking for it again and again.

Hoot & Olive: Brave Enough for Two by Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt & Co., June 12, 2018) - A book about friendship and conquering your fears. I can't wait to see the final version of this book and look forward to sharing it with students.

Big Bunny by Rowboat Watkins (Chronicle Books, March 20, 2018) - I have a special fondness for books that have character writing and rewriting a story as each page turns. Love the wacky humor and imaginative text.

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes by Hena Khan; Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (Chronicle Books, April 10, 2018) - A beautifully illustrated concept book that also shares another culture with readers.

Mabel and Sam at Home by Linda Urban; Illustrated by Hadley Hooper (Chronicle Books, June 5, 2018) - An imaginative way that two siblings deal with moving into a new home.

Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins; Illustrated by Emily Hughes (Chronicle Books, April 10, 2018) - What an amazing partnership between text and illustrations. I love this book so much.

A Most Unusual Day by Sydra Mallery; Illustrated by E.B. Goodale (Greenwillow, April 10, 2018) - A different take on the arrival of a new baby and a look at how discombobulated everyone's world becomes, especially the older sibling at school.

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell; Illustrated by Corinna Luyken (Dial Books, August 14, 2018) - I really love this book and would put it in the category of Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. A wonderful book to ponder kindness, compassion, and empathy.

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell; Illustrated by Jennifer Hansen Rolli (Aladdin, May 1, 2018) - Though I am not a big fan of pranks, I did enjoy this book. A very different take on the Tooth Fairy.

A few titles for National Poetry month...

Dreaming of You by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater; Illustrated by Aaron DeWitt (Boyds Mills Press, March 6, 2018) - Though not Amy's typical poetry, Dreaming of You is a charming, lyrical, poetic bedtime story.

Crawly School for Bugs: Poems to Drive You Buggy by David L. Harrison; Illustrated by Julie Bayless (Wordsong, March 20, 2018) - A collection of poems to celebrate spring and the world of insects.

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Abrams, March 6, 2018) - Each poem was written by a different writer and inspired by a different piece of art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I would use this with older students as a mentor text.

School People - Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Wordsong, February 13, 2018) - Through a collection of poems by different writers while focusing on all of the different individuals that make up the school community.

In case you missed these posts from last week...

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Terrific Tongues! Interview With Maria Gianferrari

#Road2Reading Challenge: Megabat by Anna Humphrey; Illustrated by Kass Reich

So, what have you been reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 3/12/18

March 12, 2018 Alyson Beecher

I miss participating regularly in this challenge but life has been insanely busy for the past nine months or so. Whenever, I get a chance to do some binge reading and have an open weekend, I like being able to take to my blog to share out.

Let me start with a very special book and literary dinner...

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of spending the evening at a dinner hosted by Nicole White of Penguin Young Readers to celebrate The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani. Veera and her editor, Namrata Tripathi shared about the book from both the writer and editor perspectives and also what the story meant for both of them.

Nicole found just the perfect spot for a literary evening to match the book. The event was hosted at BLVD Kitchen in Sherman Oaks. Definitely check out their website for all of the cool cooking classes and events happening at BLVD Kitchen at www.theblvdkitchen.com Chef Nishi Lal read The Night Diary in preparation for the dinner and worked to match her menu in a way that would fully bring the story to life.

Chef Lal shared about how she created the recipes for the various dishes. She also did a short cooking demonstration and passed around her beautiful spice tins for us to admire. The evening was magical and everyone enjoyed chatting with one another while enjoying fabulous Northern Indian cuisine.

If you don't have The Night Diary on your radar, I highly encourage you to add it to your reading pile.

Here are some other books I have read recently...

BOB by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead; Illustrations by Nicholas Gannon (Feiwel & Friends, May 1, 2018) - When this advanced reader copy showed up in my mail, I immediately knew I had to read it. How can you pass on a book by either Wendy Mass or Rebecca Stead? And to have a book written by both these amazing writers, well let's just say it made it to the top of the pile. It is also one of those books where you find yourself saying, just one more chapter. To find out more about how Mass and Stead collaborated on BOB , check out this article from Publisher's Weekly here.

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (First Second, 2017) - This has been on my "to read" list for awhile and as the date for me to return it to the library loomed near, I moved it up in the pile. For upper middle grade readers and young adult readers, Pashmina is similar in style to American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.

The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi (First Second, 2017) - This graphic novel is based on the original short animated film of the same name by Kondo and Tsutsumi. As with some graphic novels, the limited amount of text may make this seem like a book for very young readers but with a closer reading the story and themes are really for slightly older readers and would provide a vehicle for discussion and inference.

The official trailer for The Dam Keeper film.

What If... by Samantha Berger; Illustrated by Mike Curato (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, April 3. 2018) - I will be talking more about this beautifully illustrated picture book later this month.

In case you missed it these posts from last week...

Nonfiction Fiction Picture Book Challenge: Women's History Month

#Road2Reading Challenge

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to Young Adult - 12/11/17

December 11, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

After scouring through various "Best Of" lists and putting in holds at my local library, I spent Saturday reading picture books. There were some wonderful books that I had missed earlier in the year and glad to get to highlight them here. Some of the books were funny but so many of them had powerful messages.

Here is what jumped out of the pile from this weekend...

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Thi Bui (Picture Window Books 2017) - A father and son straddle two cultures, the one they had to leave and the one that does not fully understand them.

Walk With Me by Jairo Buitrago, Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng (Groundwood Books 2017) - Sometimes life is hard and imagine getting to walk through the hard parts with a big friend? A little girl goes through the hard parts of her day with a lion as her buddy. A very special story.

The Wolf, The Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick 2017) - A duck and mouse are swallowed by a wolf. Humor and wit and a lesson learned in this newest book by Barnett and Klassen.

Town is By the Sea by Joanne Schwartz, Illustrated by Sydney Smith (Groundwood Books 2017) - This story of contrasts between the seaside coast and the coal mining underground from Canada is one that will connect with readers from many communities.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (Candlewick Press 2017) - I love how this book tackles the challenge of taking on a scary task, overcoming it and making it your own.

I Want that Nut! by Madeline Valentine (Knopf Books for Young Readers 2017) - I added this one to the list because it was just simply a fun book. A mouse and chipmunk struggle over who gets a nut until squirrel comes along.

When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson, Illustrated by Julie Flett (Highwater Press 2016) - A young girl learns about her grandmother's childhood through a serious of questions (Why do you wear such bright clothes? Why is your hair/braid so long?) Readers learn about a piece of the history of First Nation people.

Snow by Sam Usher (Templar 2015) - After discovering Rain earlier this year, I needed to check out this one. A little boy learns that waiting for his grandfather to go out an play in the snow doesn't ruin the experience.

My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo (Pajama Press 2017) - This Syrian refugee camp story can be added to The Journey and Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey as books to share and discuss with readers.

The Blue Songbird by Vern (Running Press 2017) - A young bird goes on a journey to find her own song. The watercolor illustrations in the book are gorgeous.

Don't miss this post from last week:

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Guest Post With Seth Fishman

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to Young Adult - 11/27/17

November 27, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

It has been way too long since I did a #IMWAYR post. However, coming off NCTE and Thanksgiving break has given me some space to think and blog. Over the past several months, I have been posting about early readers, transitional chapter books and nonfiction that I have been reading in my posts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lately, I have been listening to a number of audiobooks and I have decided to include them in this post. Though my book lists typically skew to younger readers, the titles in this list are for teens and adults.

Here is what has jumped out of the pile recently...

Dear Martin by Nic Stone (October 17th 2017 by Crown Books for Young Readers) - Though this was a quick read, it was very powerful. There were times I had to stop because I got caught up with the main character and what would happen to him.

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton (September 12th 2017 by Simon & Schuster) - I haven't shied away from mentioning my love for HRC. I listened to this one slowly over a two month period. I have to admit that listening to Hillary was comforting when so much seems upside down.

Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson (January 17th 2017 by St Martin's Press) - There is definitely a race relation theme going on with my reading lately. This one is read by Dyson and is a thoughtful read. Sadly, I don't think it will get into the hands of those who need to hear it most.

Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown (September 12th 2017 by Books on Tape) - I have appreciated Brown's TED Talks and previous books and this was no exception.

Currently reading...

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime that Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater - I bumped this up in my TBR pile after finishing Dear Martin.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (October 21st 2014 by Spiegel & Grau) - This came highly recommended from several friends so I am listening to it.

In case you missed it...

#Road2Reading Challenge: Mock Geisel Predictions

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Orbis Pictus

Celebrate this Week: NCTE '17

So, what are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to Young Adult - 8/7/17

August 7, 2017 Alyson Beecher

I am celebrating that I managed to get a post up for #IMWAYR every Monday in July. I am hoping the Monday blog post streak continues but next week may be a bit difficult since it is the first week of the new school year. Until then, let me share what jumped out of the book stack from this past week. Check back on Tuesday and Wednesday for more titles from this past week.

Here are some of what I really enjoyed....

Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees by Mary Beth Leatherdale; Illustrated by Eleanor Shakespeare (April 11th 2017 by Annick Press) - I have been looking for books to share with teachers and students that develop a better sense of the refugee experience. I really liked the various layers in this one.

This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World by Matt LaMothe (May 2nd 2017 by Chronicle Books) - The book follows seven children from different parts of the world through their day. Readers are able to learn how our lives are more often similar despite our differences.

Today by Julie Morstad (September 2nd 2016 by Simply Read Books) - I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this one up. Though I wouldn't consider this for a read aloud, I can see 2-3 children sharing it and interacting with the choices on the page.

Someone Like Me by Patricia McLaughlin; Illustrated by Chris Sheban ( July 4th 2017 by Roaring Brook Press) - A semi-biographical story about a little girl who grows up to become a writer.

A Small Thing...but Big by Tony Johnston; Illustrated by Hadley Hooper (October 18th 2016 by Roaring Brook Press) - This may be one of my favorite Tony Johnston books. It is simple and charming and just right and the last line will likely cause you to get a bit teary eyed.

At Night by Helga Bansch (September 2nd 2016 by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) - An imaginative bedtime story that can be read two ways. One way seems to have a regular order and the other way becomes chaotic in an imaginative way.

Nerdy Birdy Tweets by Aaron Reynolds; Illustrated by Matt Davies (August 1st 2017 by Roaring Brook Press) - A lesson in friendship and social media that even adults could learn from.

Emma's Circus by Candace Fleming; Illustrated by Christine Davenier (July 25th 2017 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux) - A little girl wants to go to the circus but her family has a lot of work to do on the farm. As the circus slowly comes to her over a series of afternoons, I was wondering if she was imagining it or it was really happening. You need to read to the end to see how it works out.

This Beautiful Day by Richard Jackson; Illustrated by Suzy Lee (August 1st 2017 by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books) - I love Suzy Lee's artwork in general and I love how the art transforms over the course of the book.