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

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 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? 

#Road2Reading Challenge: What I am Reading

Recently, I have made piles of books I want to read. Each pile is a different category of books. I have a pile of nonfiction titles, a pile of books for Women's History Month, a pile of Middle Grade novels, a pile of miscellaneous picture books, and a pile of early readers and early chapter books. Now I wish I had more time to just read. However, this week, I was able to get to the following titles....

For second and third grader readers...

Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter; Illustrated by Felicita Sala (Amulet Books, April 10, 2018) - I never pass up on a book by Ellen Potter. I was excited to receive an advance copy of her latest book about a friendship between a boy and a sasquatch. I am now looking forward to the second book in this new early chapter book series. 

Gordon: Bark to the Future by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, May 1, 2018) - Fans of Binky and the P.U.R.S.T books will be excited by this latest title by Spire. Gordon must go back in time to help save his humans but when he realizes that his actions may have changed the present, he needs to figure out a way to make everything right again. Love this series.

For 3rd graders and older....

BOB by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead (Feiwel and 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. 

Mark your calendar for these upcoming releases.

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Do you work with readers who are starting their journey on the road to reading?  Join Michele Knott from Mrs. Knott's Book Nook and myself every Thursday as we explore books and ideas to help readers have a successful start to independent picture book and chapter book reading. If you blog or have a Goodreads page, please link up with us!

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Women's History Month 2018

During the month of March, I dedicate my Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge posts to Women's History Month and focus on books that celebrate women and their contributions to our world. If you check out the National Women's History Month website, you will discover that their theme for 2018 is "Nevertheless She Persisted". In 2017, my NF 10 for 10 celebrated this exact theme, check it out here. 

And let's not forget that tomorrow, March 8th is International Women's Day. They even include resources for teachers, here, and here. 

Recently, I discovered The History Chicks podcasts. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Women's History Month while driving around in your car, check out any of their awesome podcasts. (Note: These are geared for adults.) I just finished the two part podcast on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the podcast on Coco Chanel. Both were fun to listen to and informative. 

Over the course of the past year, we have seen the Women's March and the anniversary of the first Women's March, the #Metoo Movement,  and a record number of women are running for political office. And in book to movie celebrations, I am looking forward to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time that will be out this week. The book was written by a woman, and features a woman director (Ava DuVernay) and screen writer (Jennifer Lee). 

In the children's book world, I am celebrating the following books released in 2018 to date. I am starting with a new favorite book...

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood; Illustrated by 13 women illustrators (HarperCollins, 2018)

Last Friday, I shared this book as part of READ ACROSS AMERICA and to celebrate the start of Women's History Month. 

I love that the book is illustrated by 13 different women illustrators.

And I love the combination of poems and short biographical information listed for each women. 

Here are other titles that have come out since January 1, 2018. Don't miss any of them.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown Young Readers, December 2017)

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by  Laura Veirs, Illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (Chronicle Books, 2018)

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson; Illustrated by Qin Leng (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel by Lisa Pliscou; Illustrated by Jennifer Corace (Henry Holt & Co., 2018)

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly; Illustrated by Laura Freeman (HarperCollins, 2018)

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed; Illustrated by Stasia Burrington (HarperCollins, 2018)

Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird by  Bethany Hegedus, Illustrated Erin Mcguire (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Free As a Bird: The Story of Malala by Lina Maslo (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong's Life in Jazz by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Michele Wood (Calkins Creek, 2018)

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull; Illustrated by Nancy Zhang (HarperCollins, 2018)

Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear; Illustrated by Julie Morstad (HarperCollins, 2018)

Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Annette Bay Pimentel; Illustrated by Micha Archer (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018)

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights by Kate Hannigan; Illustrated by Alison Jay (Calkins Creek, 2018)

Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmers: The Story of Ada Lovelace by Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Henry Holt & Co., 2018)

Anybody's Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball by Heather Lang; Illustrated by Cecelia Puglesi (Albert Whitman Company, 2018)

The Flying Girl: How Aida de Acosta Learned to Soar by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Sara Palacios (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018)

She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History by Chelsea Clinton; Illustrated by Alexander Boiger (Philomel Books, 2018)

And coming in May 2018...

Just Being Jackie by Margaret Cardillo; Illustrated by Julia Denos (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews below...

Leaf Litter Critters Blog Tour & Giveaway

Leaf Litter Critters
by Leslie Bulion; Illustrated by Robert Meganck
Peachtree Publishers (March 1, 2018)
Nonfiction * Forest Ecology * Poetry * Humor
Audience: Ages 8-12
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads: 
Have fun on this poetic tour through the leaf litter layer and dig into the fascinating facts about the tiny critters who live there. Nineteen poems in a variety of verse forms with accompanying science notes take readers on a decomposer safari through the "brown food web," from bacteria through tardigrades and on to rove beetle predators with other busy recyclers in-between. Glossary, hands-on investigations, and resources are included in the back matter.

Quick thoughts on Leaf Litter Critters: 
There are times when I pick up a book and imagine myself standing in front of a classroom of students and reading it aloud. There are other times when I look at a book and imagine how I would utilize it in a series of lessons and activities with students. When I received a copy of Leslie Bulion's Leaf Litter Critters and started reading it, I had both of those experiences.

As I read through the first poem called "Litter Critters", I was loving the rich, descriptive terms and thinking about how I could use this to support many of my English Language Learners. I also thought about how I would use this poem and the others that followed as mentor text for various craft moves. 

As I held the book in my hands, I loved the compact size and the way each poem was paired with science notes that provide readers with more information related to the subject of each poem. Additionally, I enjoyed Robert Meganck's illustrations. The one below along with the illustration for the poem on tardigrades were probably my favorites. 

Of course, the poems and science notes are just part of the fabulousness of the book. The end of the book is also filled with information to geek out over and includes a glossary, poetry notes (information about each poem style), litter critter investigations, and a few resources. 

If you are looking for some additional ideas for how to use the book with students, check out Leslie Bulion's blog for three poetry prompts. 

Check out the other stops on the Leaf Litter Critters Blog Tour:
Mrs. Knott's Book Nook
Unleashing Readers 
Poetry For Children

About the author: Leslie Bulion has written poetry since the fourth grade and has poked through soil and under rocks even longer than that. In addition to her other science poetry collections, Hey There, Stink Bug!, At the Sea Floor Café, and Random Body Parts, she has written several novels for young readers. She and her husband live in Connecticut, with surprise visits from various  chipmunks, snakes, birds, mice, baby rabbits, spiders, and beetles who occasionally forget that they live outside. Visit her website at www.lesliebulion.com.

About the illustrator: Robert Meganck is a professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.  He is the recipient of over three hundred awards for illustration and graphic design work. Visit his website at meganck.com.

Thank you to Peachtree Publishers for the opportunity to give away a copy of the book. Enter the rafflecopter below for an opportunity to win a copy. The winner must be 13 years old or older and have a US mailing address. 

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What I am Reading? - 2/28/18

I am always excited to share as many nonfiction books as possible. Last week, I did a "What I am Reading?" post and following up with another one this week with some very recent releases. In March, I am looking forward to starting my weekly Women's History posts.  

Here is what I have been reading recently...

Awhile ago, Maureen Palacios, the owner of Once Upon a Time Bookstore, asked if I would be willing to moderate a panel with Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughters. I can't believe the event is finally here and happening tonight. If you are in the Pasadena/Glendale area, I hope to see you. 

Becoming Madeleine: A Biography of the Author of A Wrinkle in Time by Her Granddaughters by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Léna Roy (Farrar Straus Giroux, February 6, 2018) - L'Engle's granddaughters share photos, letters and journal entries to help readers develop an indepth view of the famous writer and her life.  

The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art by Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola (Candlewick Press, February 13, 2018) - A beautiful picture book biography by Rosenstock and Nivola. I sadly did not know about Nek Chand and his art and there are a number of books coming out recently focusing on India in 1947 and I am appreciating the opportunity to learn more about the events in India during this time. 

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre (Greenwillow Books, February 20, 2018) - Another beautiful book by Pulley Sayre. Simple text and beautiful photographs help young readers learn to express their gratitude to our wonderful planet. 

What Makes a Blizzard? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld; Illustrated by Maddie Frost (HarperCollins, January 2, 2018) - A look back at the blizzard of 1888 as the way of introducing young readers to blizzards. 

Look for all of these titles at your local bookstore or community bookstore. 

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction posts below....