Sunday, November 13, 2016

Monday Reading - Worries and A Celebration


          Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up. I'm still in the midst of reading for the Cybils poetry, round one. I reviewed a few this week, and some picture books. My favorite PBs are below.

            For Poetry Friday, I reviewed Somos como los nubes/We Are The Clouds by Jorge Argueta, a book of poetry about children immigrating, often alone, to get to the U.S.  

         Bear is lonely, sees all the other forest animals having fun together, but they avoid him. "He's so big. His teeth are sharp." At last, when chills come, bear decides to throw a winter party. He sends out invitations, and on that day he lights a fire, bakes tasty treats, even brews some spiced cranberry tea. That morning, a few snowflakes fall, and Bear is worried. No one has come so far. But then he sees a few peeking around some trees and invites them in. It turns out that getting to know someone who seems different is a very good thing. The party is a success, and the story will be wonderful to use for young children who are a bit reluctant to make friends with "different" people. The illustrations are color-filled and bigger than life, sort of like the bear, at least to his forest friends.



        There's big magic in the first snow, and Bami Park's debut picture book shows that magic beautifully. With few words, a little girl wakes up to see the snow, and joins the out of doors to create magic herself. Lovely to read, will be one to keep on hand for your own "first snow"! Young children will love this one.








       First published in Great Britain, and now here in the U.S., a great book about friendship and learning that someone who looks a little different can bring new things to your life that you never knew existed! Bertie lived a life of the same thing, eating, drinking, snoozing. But one day he woke late, and everyone was gone. He didn't know what to do until he looked around and there was Blue! Blue showed Bertie a whole new world, and you'll need to find this book to see the enticing illustrations of this forest world where they lived. It's a bright and beautiful world that Blue knows, parts of which Bertie had never noticed. Great ending! 



         Young Ella loves the color yellow, and the sun! What she doesn't like is night and the dark. Early evening finds her walking through the house turning on lights. Her thoughtful mother leads her gently into a beautiful summer night, to greet that moon and see the glowing fireflies, enjoy the crickets singing. Soon Ella realizes that while it's not a sunny day, there can be good things when the moon is inside! My favorite line: "It's my favorite color, only quieter." For those who might be fearful of the dark, this will be a wonderful book to read and discuss. The illustrations are nicely realistic in all the story, and the details in the dark are terrific.


Nothing has changed since last week!  Still reading:  I'm enjoying learning about the life of techie Paul  English in A Truck Full of Money by Tracy Kidder. Among other things, he was the creator of the website, Kayak. I have The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan and hope to get to it soon!

24 comments:

  1. Hello Linda! Oooooo - your picture books look amazing! I also posted First Snow this week but I don't know any of the others. I am doing an immigration unit with a grade 6 class this term so am very interested in the poetry book. I also love the look of Bear's Winter Party and the Moon Inside. Thanks so much for sharing these! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Adrienne, glad to hear about your immigration unit. We Are The Clouds is great. You might also like Alma Ada's books, especially Yes! We Are Latinos, another favorite.

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  2. First Snow is so beautiful!! But I'm not looking forward to snow....I love Bear's Winter Party, the illustrations are so colourful and unique, real works of art.

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    1. I thought by now we would have had a sprinkling at least, but it's still warm in the day. These two snow books are wonderful, agreed! Thanks, Jane!

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  3. Talk of snow seems to be everywhere these days. I've never actually witnessed a first snow, but I love to read descriptions of it in books and hear about them in movies!

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    1. We haven't had any yet, only in the mountains, but I imagine it will be soon. First Snow is very pretty! Thanks!

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  4. I'm looking forward to reading all of these--and need to add We Are the Clouds to my library purchase list. I'm trying to build a mini-collection of titles on immigration at my campus library for some reading projects I'm cooking up for spring!

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    1. Sounds good, Elisabeth. I imagine you know Migrant that came out last year, and as shared above, Yes! We Are Latinos? Both also worth finding. Thanks!

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  5. Great list! I had seen We Are Like the Clouds mentioned last week but haven't been able to find it at my library yet. Must keep looking! Thanks, Linda.

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    1. You're welcome, Katie. Hope you find it, soon!

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  6. I wish We are like the clouds was available at our local library. This is what I miss about being retired, not being able to just order books I want! I've added First Snow to a list of books to purchase when/if I ever have grandchildren.

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    1. Hope they'll get it soon, Cheriee. My library has many, but not always. And sometimes there are so many, many holds! First Snow is wonderful for the young ones!

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  7. Loved First Snow. I have it at school, saving it for when the first flakes start to fall (maybe since I have it ready to go it will keep the snow away, I can only hope!!)

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    1. Glad you have it, Michele. We still have warm weather, some cold coming Thursday, but still no moisture of any kind. We need it! Have fun at NCTE!

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  8. The Poet's Dog is fantastic, in my opinion. Can't wait to hear what you think. Thanks for being a judge & sharing books with us!

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    1. Hi Keri, you're welcome. It's been a wonderful time reading all the poetry!

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  9. You've got several picture books that are on my To Read list. They all look terrific. I am so ready for Thanksgiving break, so I can take a little time to try to get caught up on my reading. Have a terrific week!

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    1. I hope I will be able to take some time to read a few on my list aside from the poetry, Jana. There are many to read! Thanks!

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  10. Lovely picture books, Linda. We Are Like the Clouds just arrived...so beautiful, and I thank you for letting me know about it.

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  11. The poetry book you recommended sounds like a wonderful text to pair with the book Tara recommended, The Lonely Road.

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    1. There are a number of wonderful books about the immigrant experience, and this is one! I'm going to read Tara's post next! Thanks!

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  12. I am intrigued by all of these picture books - some incredible covers. Many thanks Linda for your words and thoughts on each.

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    1. I enjoyed each one, and as you read, for different reasons. Thanks, Carrie!

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