Sunday, March 1, 2015

SOLC # 2 - Monday Reading & A Special Birthday

SLICE OF LIFE 2/31

      Day Two of the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge. I'm also slicing with my classroom at  Linda & Jonathan's Class Blog

            My assistant Jonathan is also participating at JK's Slice of Life, my colleague, Max at TeachingFromBehind, and his assistant, Kam at A Moment With Kam. 
Their class blog is Max and Kam's Class Blog
Congratulations everyone for reaching Slice # 2!



      On Mondays I also participate in a group to share books written for all ages of children.

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS  
         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews.  Great books shared!
           Tweet! at #IMWAYR

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Born in 1904 on this day, Theodor Seuss Geisel still gives us joy!  
Yesterday, a blogger friend posted a wonderful slice about the early career of Theodor Geisel, not a children's writer at all, but one who fought in his own unique way in World War II. You can find this great post at Windows To My Life: Writing To Remember to read all about it!

Seuss-isms! - A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out . . . and Those Already on Their Way - written by Dr. Seuss
         Filled with the wonder words of Dr. Seuss from his many books, this book will bring back memories of your favorites! Each quote from a book is labeled with advice. From How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Learn to Improvise: “All I need is a reindeer. . . . The Grinch looked around.”  And from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Take A Walk On The Wild Side: “Did you ever walk/with ten cats/on your head?” I’m not sure that all are included, but many, many of the favorite books are here, a lovely walk through our Seussical reading lives!



Last Stop on Market Street – written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated
by Christian Robinson
           What a beautiful story about a grandmother and her grandson CJ, on an adventure after school in the rain. As they ride the bus, CJ wonders why they can’t just go home, why they have to ride the bus, why they don’t have a car, why a lot of things. He’s tired perhaps after a full day at school, but his grandmother has other plans.  CJ begins to understand the good things his grandmother notices as he and she ride the bus to that final stop. The ending is a sweet surprise.

Finding Spring – written and illustrated by Carin Berger

          I always enjoy Carin Berger’s art, the crisp way she uses collage pieces and dioramas to tell her stories. This special book shows broad settings with little bear Maurice wondering about spring at the same time that Mama says it’s time to go to sleep. They fill up on berries as Maurice shouts happily, “S-p-r-i-n-g! Spr-ing! SPRING!” Mama tells him he might dream of spring, and she eventually goes to sleep, but Maurice wanders out of the den looking for spring. Carin Berger takes him (and us) on a lovely walk in the woods until Maurice finally thinks he’s got it – Spring! – really, snow. He takes some back to the den, sleeps and sleeps, and when he wakes up-Surprise! Spring has gone. The ending is sweet, another walk in the forest, another “different” look at spring for Maurice.

Next:  Still Reading – Black Raven, White Dove by Elizabeth Wein. It really is good, I just have a lot of other things to read in addition! Also reading Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart with a book group at school. Wonderful book, wonderful group! I hope to start The Boy In The Black Suit by Jason Reynolds soon.

44 comments:

  1. I have wanted to read Last Stop on Market Street since I first read about the book. A good reminder. Thanks.

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    1. You're welcome, Mary Ann. It's such a sweet picture book.

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  2. Happy Birthday Dr. Suess! Thank you for the reminder and for the review of Matt de la Pena's book. I need this one!

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    1. Hope you can read some fun book for Dr. Seuss' birthday, Julieanne. Have a great week!

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  3. Thank you Linda, for adding recommended book titles! You're always so good at that! And Happy Birthday to the Doctor too! I'll be looking for The Last Stop and the sweet surprise at the end!

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    1. You're welcome Amy-enjoy the day with Dr. Seuss & find the "Last Stop" book. You'll love it!

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  4. I love the Last Stop cover! Jason Reynolds is in my TBR pile too. My students are really enjoying the books of his I brought back from NCTE. Happy Seuss' day to you!

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    1. I really hope I can find the time for the Jason Reynolds' book. I started it, then had to stop to read other things. Soon! Thanks, Lee Ann.

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  5. I am such a fan of Dr. Seuss! And this week our school is celebrating. Today I'll wear my Teacher One shirt.

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    1. Oh, big fun, Margaret. I hope you'll post a picture! Have a terrific day!

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  6. Finding Spring sounds most timely!
    Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss. Of course we are celebrating too! (I'm Thing Two.)

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    1. I hope others at school are celebrating. We don't do anything formal, but I'll share this Seuss-isms book with my students. Thanks Kendra!

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  7. I love Dr. Suess. My son was the Cat in the Hat for Suessical when he was in Middle School and the memory of that time always comes with today. Thanks for your book recommendations. And thanks for the ways that you encourage this writing community!
    ~Deborah

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    1. What a nice memory, Deborah. You're welcome to all the encouragement I can offer. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Thanks for sharing these books Linda. Clara has loved the rhythm of Dr. Seuss books for two years now and can "read" from the pictures now. The Seuss-isms book might be great to inspire kids for their continuation speeches.

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    1. They are wonderful-what a gift he gave to us! I'll share the Seuss-isms with you-great idea about the continuation speeches!

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  9. I am on the look out for Matt's book, Linda - saw him speak at TC one year and was so inspired. A gifted writer.

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    1. Finally got the book from the library, Tara. It is nice. I think it's so great that he's written wonderful books like The Living and then this great picture book story. Have a good week!

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  10. I keep hearing really good things about Market Street so I need to get a copy. Finding Spring looks to be filled with sweetness. Black Raven, White Dove is on order at the library but I don't know if I should put a hold on it, or wait for the audiobook. I have listened to Wein's other books and loved them. I've discovered that sometimes changing format can be a let down.

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  11. I just shared Last Stop on Market Street this week too. I have a signed copy for my classroom as I got to hear Matt speak this weekend at the Literacy Conference in Bellingham! So great. He is a charmer.

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  12. I admit that since I retired my reading of children's books has slipped. I am a fan of Matt De La Pena so thanks for the review of his book. I will have to check out that one.

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  13. Great multi-tasking! I couldn't figure out how to do my weekly memes and SOL15, so I decided to put the memes on hold. It's a good lesson for me in saying no sometimes, but now that I see what you are doing...Love your recommendations!

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  14. I like Seuss-isms! I don't have it I wish I had it today! Amazon here I come. Thanks Linda I always learn from you.

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  15. Yay, Seuss. I'm hoping to start Jason Reynold's latest novel this week as well.

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  16. What a great list. Thanks for sharing. I am intrigued by Finding Spring. The title alone holds so much appeal right now! Thanks also for all the links in this post.

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  17. My own kids loved Seuss. Great choices for this week - will add to my list! Sounds like you have a great group slicing this year. I will try to visit them as well.

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  18. This books sound wonderful but for my sanity I'm reading The Swimmer and back into a race to make sense of this political thriller. Reminds me of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.
    Happy Day 2!
    Bonnie

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  19. Great list, Linda! So glad you were finally able to get your hands on Last Stop on Market Street!

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  20. I've ordered Last Stop on Market Street and I can't wait to have it in my hot little hands. I'm reading Black Raven, White Dove right now also. I have enjoyed her historical fiction. It takes an alert reader though. Her writing can't be read quickly. ;)

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  21. As usual, I love your book recommendations. I'm headed to the library site to request all three. I didn't know that Matt had written a picture book.

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  22. How I loved Last Stop on Market Street! What a special story. Christian Robinson takes his illustration to the next level in this one too, I think. I know I am in a minority on this one, but I really dislike Dr Seuss books! I always cringe when my Children's Lit students bring his books to class to book talk or read aloud.

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  23. I like reading your recommendations...makes me feel like going to the public library and spending the day in the kids' section reading! Maybe I will do that tomorrow. How much fun would that be!

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  24. Thanks for the comments, everyone, will aim for visiting your own posts, just got home from work. I hope you'll find something to enjoy in these books. I read the 'isms' today to my class, & they loved recognizing some of them from favorite books.

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  25. Happy birthday Dr. Seuss! I need to read the Seuss-isms book you shared--I just love how he uses words.

    Also, I am so glad you loved Market Street. It is a special picture book.

    Happy reading this week!

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  26. Maybe if I get the spring book and read enough spring books, the weather will warm up around here or at least remind me that it can! I will be on the lookout for Last Stop on Market Street. That looks like a good one.

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  27. I loved The Last Stop on Market Street.

    Finding Spring looks interesting. I'll definitely have to check that out.

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  28. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! We had fun reading Green Eggs and Ham, today...my preschoolers boisterously joined in on much of the rhyming. Fun! Love the synopsis of Last Stop on Market Street - sounds like a book my class would absolutely love. I love collage art and I must check out Finding Spring!!

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  29. Thanks for telling us about Seuss-isms - Such a perfect book to share today. We keep hearing about Last Stop on Market Street - It is on our "to order" list.

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  30. These all look wonderful, Linda! Like everyone else in the Northeast, I'm especially excited for Finding Spring!

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  31. I love Dr. Seuss! We read Mr. Brown Can Moo and my 4yo repeated the words with me. So sweet. To Think That It Happened on Mulberry Street is one of my favorites. I'm ready for spring! I hope spring finds me soon. :)

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  32. I didn't know that today was Dr. Seus' birthday! I actually don't remember my birthday at times, so there's that ;). I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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  33. I want to comment on every book! First of all, I am sorry I didn't stop by last night. I was feeling ill. But I am better today and glad I made it back here. First of all, I am glad you also saw the beauty in Last Stop on Market Street. I adore that book. I was delighted by the Seuss-isms book. I need to find a copy of it! And a big, YES, YES, YES to Finding Spring!

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  34. Thanks again everyone! Great to hear from so many who will give some love to these books! All worth it. Now time for slice # 3!

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  35. I looked for Last Stop on Market Street last week at our public library, but couldn't find it in our shelves (the online database says it's supposed to be there, but it isn't!). Very frustrating indeed. It would be perfect for our current reading theme. And Seuss-isms would have been lovely given our previous throwback reading theme. Haha! :) Hope things are well with you, dear Linda! Hope to 'chat' with you soon!

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