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.