It's Monday! What am I reading? From Picture Books to YA - March 10, 2014

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.

There are weeks where getting time to settle in for a longer book can be a challenge.  Sometimes even finishing a picture book can be a challenge. I am looking forward to spring break in another week and some time to actually read some of the MG and YA novels that are piling up.  Over the weekend, I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours to tackle a pile of picture books and early readers.  If you want to see the full list, click here.  

Here are the top picks from the pile....

You are My Baby: Garden by Lorena Siminovich (Chronicle Books, March 25, 2014) - The You are My Baby board book series for infants and toddlers is a two in one board book.  The lower left hand corner is a smaller board book incorporated into the larger one. I do not usually get super excited about board books, but this one is well done.  Of course, it's Chronicle Books and their art department is top-notch when it comes to unique designs.

You are My Baby: Ocean by Lorena Siminovich (Chronicle Books, March 25, 2014) - This companion book to the one noted above is just as well done. Definitely worth giving these as gifts to the infants and toddler readers in your life.

Maple by Lori Nichols (Nancy Paulsen Books, February 20, 2014) - Nichols captures a special relationship between a little girl and her tree in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Also, good for preschoolers with a new baby at home.

Peggy by Anna Walker (Clarion Books, March 4, 2014) - Some picture books are quirky and Peggy is one of them. A chicken out on an adventure in the city. Yep, it will be interesting to see what children think of this one, but adults will get a chuckle out of it and admire the artwork as well.

Penguin in Peril by Helen Hancocks (Templar Books, February 11, 2014) - Another quirky book that will hold the attention of the inquisitive reader. I enjoyed how the penguin out smarts the cats.

Do Not Open! The Story of Pandora's Box by Joan Holub; Illustrated by Dani Jones (Simon Spotlight, March 1, 2014) - Easy Readers are always a bit of a challenge to write and finding ones that are stand outs among the spinning racks is not easy.  I thought Holub does an admirable job simplifying Pandora's Box for beginning readers that provides readers with readable text and a good story.

Robot, Go Bot! A Comic Reader by Dana Meachen Rau; Illustrated by Wook Jin Jung (Random House, June 25, 2013) - If Level 2 easy readers are a challenge to find, Level 1 readers are even harder.  Beginning readers will love this one.  Simple but fun.

Guppy Up! by Jonathan Fenske (Penguin Young Readers, February 7, 2013) - Fenske has a good sense of what beginning readers need in a Level 1 reader.  Guppy combines early concepts with readable text.

So, what are you reading?

Slice of Life - International Women's Day - #sol14

Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers on Tuesdays.  For the month of March, we are posting a slice daily.
_________________________

Created by Sarah & Catherine Satrun

Saturday was International Women's Day.  On Sunday, I saw the "We Are All Wonderwomen!" image on faceback and went in search of the original source.  Before I continue with what I want to say, I would like to acknowledge the women who created the image and to state that no harm or infringement is intended by sharing it here.  Sarah Satrun , a Chicago-based artist, along with her twin sister Catherine created this smash-up parody of the Dove Ad and Wonder Woman.  (Note: If you are interested in purchasing this print, the Satrun sisters have an Etsy page with the image available for sale.)  Thank you Sarah and Catherine for a great image.

Last Sunday, my Slice touched upon Women's History Month and Women Mentors.  Throughout the month, I am going to circle back to this topic.  In this year that I am trying to reconnect with meaning and purpose, part of that means trying to figure out who I am as a woman both professionally and personally. 

In 2010, Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook presented a TEDTalk on Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders:


In March 2013, her book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead came out.  Sheryl Sandberg's TEDtalk follow up - So we leaned in...now what?


As I was listening to Sandberg's talks, I was struck by a few things.

First, as women, we need to ask what would we do if we were not afraid?  I think there are many times that as women we step back because we are afraid of how others will perceive us and we prevent ourselves from taking chances that would allow us to do or accomplish those things that we desire.

Second, we need to stop underestimating ourselves. I love this section from her talk Why We Have So Few Women Leaders.  I think it captures the attitudes of many women in many different situations.

And most importantly, men attribute their success to themselves, and women attribute it to other external factors. If you ask men why they did a good job, they'll say, "I'm awesome. Obviously. Why are you even asking?" If you ask women why they did a good job, what they'll say is someone helped them, they got lucky, they worked really hard. Why does this matter? Boy, it matters a lot because no one gets to the corner office by sitting on the side, not at the table, and no one gets the promotion if they don't think they deserve their success, or they don't even understand their own success.- Sheryl Sandberg

Finally, we need to ban the word bossy.  To quote Sandberg, the next time we hear someone say that a little girl is bossy we need to respond with  "That little girl's not bossy. That little girl has executive leadership skills."  I am not advocating rudeness or bullying type behaviors by any means whether it be by women or men.  However, I have seldom to never heard a man in business or a professional setting be referred to as aggressive.  The term used is assertive.  A woman does the same thing and she is aggressive.  We need to change the lens in which we view behavior and then change our language.

Recognize and celebrate the women around you.  They come in all shapes and sizes and different personalities and abilities.  They are daughters, sisters, girlfriends, wives, mothers, grandmothers, friends, and colleagues. They are incredibly strong, and have an amazing capacity to love and feel.  Celebrate that we are all Wonderwomen!  

Slice of Life - Things I am Thankful For - #sol14

Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers on Tuesdays.  For the month of March, we are posting a slice daily.
_____________________________

On Saturday, I meant to do a joint Slice of Life & Celebrate This Week post.  However, it was pre-empted by my post about the package from Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. So, I thought I would kick off the new week with a post about what I was thankful for last week.
 

In reviewing the past week, here are 5 things that I am thankful for...

1.  Read Across America - I had a chance to read in five elementary schools and about 8 classes last week.  Reading aloud to a class is one of my favorite things and in my current position, I do not have the opportunity to do it very regularly.  As a result, it was even more wonderful to share books and to read with students.

2.  Awesome Blog Readers - On Monday, I shared a slice called Authors are Magic.  One of my blog readers who lives locally saw the post and dropped off two more copies of A Snicker of Magic for the students at Jackson.  Though this person did not want to be identified, I am celebrating the generosity of their act, and that more students will have the opportunity to read the book.

3. Reading Slice Posts and More - Though it does take time to do this, I have really been enjoying the various slice posts that others have been writing.  I usually find one or two that make me smile, and few that require tissues (even for happy tears), and many that are inspirational.

4.  Quiet Saturdays - Lately, my weekends have felt like mad dashes filled with errands, and appointments and other obligations with little time to stop and recharge.  Yesterday, despite a pretty long "to-do" list, I slowed down.  I spent time checking out new books and chatting with staff at Vromans, and curled up on my couch in my jammies reading a stack of picture books. I also decided to pamper myself with a much needed pedicure.  And I wrapped up the day with a mini-marathon of episodes of Murdoch Mysteries - a television show out of Canada. 

5.  Professional Inspiration - Sometimes all of the daily little things crowd out the bigger view of what is happening.  I had a chance to chat with Donalyn Miller and Teri Lesesne yesterday and it was just the kind of conversation that I needed to get refocused and inspired.  I am forever thankful for the online professional learning community that I am privileged to be a part of.

What are you thankful for this week?

Slice of Life - A Splash of Red - #sol14

Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers on Tuesdays.  For the month of March, we are posting a slice daily.
________________________________

Fetching the mail is not one of my favorite things to do. Lately, it seems that most of it is circular flyers and other kinds of junk.  If it isn't junk, then it is a bill.  Seldom do I receive honest to goodness real letters.  However today, there was a surprise in my mailbox.   It was addressed to me and was quite colorful.

Since June 2013, I had the pleasure of serving on the 2014 Schneider Family Book Award Jury. One of the books we selected was A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  If you haven't read it, you should.  It is fantastic.

Inside the envelope, two cards were attached to a cellophane wrapped picture. 

The envelopes contained handwritten notes from Jen and Melissa. Can I call them Jen and Melissa?

Under the notes was a specially wrapped print of one of the pages from the book, which was signed by Jen and Melissa.

I think I may have cried a little when I opened up the notes and read them. It was truly special and unexpected, and such a wonderful surprise to find when I arrived home.  I would hug this if I wasn't worried about crushing the print. I guess sleeping with it is out unless I want to mangle it. Best thing will be taking it to be framed so I can display it.

Thank you Jen and Melissa for creating such a special book as A Splash of Red, for the wonderful gift, and for being so amazing.  I can't wait to meet you in June, and I look forward to your next joint book, which comes out in the fall.

Slice of Life - Celebrating Day 7 and Some Favorite Day 6 posts - #sol14

Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers on Tuesdays.  For the month of March, we are posting a slice daily.
______________________________

I am celebrating having gone 7 for 7 with Slice of Life posts.  This is my first year participating and my goal is to show up and write each day.  It has been fun reading what others are posting.  Sometimes the posts make me smile, some make me laugh, others are inspiring, and several have made me think.  I have appreciated all of these posts.

Today, I would have loved to have had something funny or witty to post. But I wasn't that lucky.  However, did I tell you how inspired I was by everyone else's posts? Like some of the ones below....

Did you see Kevin's (Dogtrax) comic strip for his post?
http://dogtrax.edublogs.org/2014/03/06/slice-of-life-of-gutters-frames-bubbles-and-comics/

Yep, no comic strips here.

Did you see the fun post about office supplies from Mindi?
http://mindimusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-i-have-this-problem.html

Hey, she wants her pen back if you took it. I just want to know what the brand is.

Did you see the Lee Ann's post about "circle magic"?
http://portable-teacher.blogspot.com/2014/03/circle-magic.html

If you didn't, you might want to check it out. I was blown away by her student, Katherine's preparation for the circle discussion.

Did you see that some people actually wrote poetry?
http://msikking.edublogs.org/2014/03/06/and-the-point-is/

Yep, no poetry here.

Finally, glad to read that others were struggling with writer's block, or finding ideas.
http://mvervinck.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/what-to-write-about/

Of course, I am a bit jealous that she found the words and managed to put them in the form of a poem.

Well, tomorrow is another day to write,