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Sunday, January 18, 2015

It's Monday - Reading This Week


           Link up with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing ReadersSheila at Book Journeys started a meme to share all kinds of books read each Monday, then Kellee, Ricki and Jen formed theirs for only children's lit. Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR.


          I’m so fortunate that my library almost always has the books I want. Here are a few that I’ve managed to check out and read recently. Happy Reading this week!

What Forest Knows - written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by August Hall
            Poetic words by George Ella Lyon, beautiful illustrations by August Hall create a book of seasons in a forest, a book to keep in the classroom and read at each appropriate time. For winter: “Forest knows waiting, holding on.”  and “Forest knows waking, opening up.”  This book's "look" reminds me of Winter Is Coming by Tony Johnston and Jim LaMarche


The Way Back Home - written by and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
             Funny how we all know that we should help each other any way we can, but do children know to do that? This story is an adventure of a little boy on earth, who finds an airplane in his closet, and takes it for a spin. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) he ends up out of fuel on the moon! And a little Martian ends up crash landing with a broken spaceship. How they get out of their dilemma, AND help each other is lovely. The story will begin a good conversation to a group about fear of the unknown and cooperation.

What If…? - written by and illustrated by Anthony Browne
          Anthony Browne has the imagination of a child, and this book shows it beautifully! Joe has been invited to a birthday party, but lost the invitation. He and his mother do know the street where his friend Tom lives, and they tramp up the street, peering into each house, trying to figure out which is the right one. Ha! What delightful, and sometimes scary, surprises are in those houses, and as they walk along, Joe shares some worries, like “what if I don’t like the food?” or “What if they play scary games?” Everyone will want to talk after reading this book, and there is a lovely surprise at the end.

A bean, a stalk, and a boy named Jack – written by William Joyce and illustrated by Kenny Callicutt
         This caught my eye at the library, especially because a new book is coming by Liesl Shurtliff, titled Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Remember Rump? This "A Bean..." book was published last year. The author has changed the story quite a bit, to a kingdom with magic, and a drought. Jack saves the community instead of his family, and makes a friend of a princess and the green bean stalk. There is a giant boy, but we never see the rest of the family, and there isn’t much that’s scary. Sometimes a ‘fractured fairy tale’ is so different that one yearns for the original, as I did this time.


Still reading: Port Chicago 50 and have started The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp. Both are great in their own unique ways.

27 comments:

  1. What If surprised me with its subject matter and approach to it. A good book to have in case someone has that particular problem.

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    1. I agree, it would serve as an example for children of what imagination can do that isn't so positive. Interesting book!

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  2. What Forest Knows is one of those quiet books that take your breath away. I am resolved to get back into the picture book world, having seen what you've shared today.

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    1. Thanks, Tara. I've shared picture books with my students often. It seems to inspire their writing, & they enjoy the stories.

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  3. It was a PB week for me too :) I have some still reading books myself!
    I liked What If... and I think a lot of young readers will relate to that story!

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    1. Thanks, Michele. I'm so busy, but plugging along with the chapter books, just have less time to read them.

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  4. I enjoyed your review of The Way Back Home. Oliver Jeffers is brilliant, and I haven't read this one (though I have heard about it). After reading your review, I need to put it on hold at my library! Have a happy week!

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    1. Thanks Ricki, it really was interesting, & I think will start good conversations with slightly older primary students (7's & 8's).

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  5. Thank you for introducing me to so many lovely books. I'm looking forward to reading all of them!

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    1. You're welcome, Cheriee. I hope you find a favorite among them!

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  6. How I miss the Denver library system! When my mother lived in Denver, I came down to visit regularly and always insisted on several lengthy library trips!

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    1. It has been rare that they don't have a book I would want to order, Elisabeth. I sit here reading other posts with my account open for ordering. I do also make a list to buy, but the library really has saved me lots of money! I have a branch just a block away which is the added perk! Come visit!

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  7. Great books. I am so looking forward to the sequel to Rump!

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    1. Me, too, Katie, I loved Rump & the way Shurtliff wove that tale.

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    2. I Just finished Rump this week. I can't wait for Jack! I'll be ordering it right away!

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    3. I know that I'll enjoy Jack, too. Rump was just great. Glad you enjoyed it, too, Kendra!

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  8. Read some great PB authors this week: Browne and Jeffers always mean you have a good book ahead!
    Looking forward to hearing what you think of Port Chicago, and very excited about the companion to Rump!

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. Thanks, Kellee. I am enjoying Port Chicago very much, but reading only at school means it takes a while. Yes, exciting about "Jack"!

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  9. I read What Forest Knows last week too (though I didn't get a chance to add it to my It's Monday post. I thought it was a lovely book.

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  10. Linda

    Oliver Jeffers is one of our all time favorite authors. We love the quiet way his books show caring and perseverance. Anthony Browne has some hysterical books and we haven't read What If... Thank you for telling us about it.

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    1. Thanks, I do like Jeffers too, and also Browne, the illustrations almost more than the story lines. Always thought-provoking!

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  11. Oh my - What Forest knows looks stunning. I must find this title! Love Lyon!

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    1. Yes, a good one, Carrie. As I said, it's so like Winter Is Coming-soft and sweet.

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  12. What Forest Knows is one that I will have to find. Isn't Browne one to make you think?

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    1. Indeed it is, Crystal. read it several times, checking out those pictures!

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  13. I absolutely loved Way Back Home and What If? I think Anthony Browne and Jeffers can do no wrong. I will have to look for the two other picture books you shared here. :)

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