Sunday, July 5, 2015

Monday Reading

           On Mondays, we are lucky to link up to share books we've read that are for children and teens with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders. Others link to share adult books with Sheila at Book Journeys who started the meme a long time ago. You'll discover so many great books.  Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting!

         I had a wonder of a week reading picture books, and won't share all that I read. I had the granddaughters from Monday to Thursday, from lunchtime on. Every lunch time I read to them, and they loved it. We also went to the library and just as so many of us say, the books they chose became ones they wanted to read again, and then again. Here are a few of their and my favorites. 


Stuck - written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
           Like all of Jeffers books, one must suspend belief when reading, because really, not all the things pictured at the end of the book could possibly get "stuck" in a tree. The illustrations seem like quick sketches, almost happening as the story is read. It's a great book for anticipation as a young boy first gets his kite stuck, then tries to unstick it with a shoe, then with the other shoe, then, and then. After this book, the search was on for more funny books!

There Was A Treewritten and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
           This is a story and a song, and I found quickly learned and enjoyed by young granddaughters. Adapted in the illustrations to an African setting, the song's lines move along illustrated by gorgeous collages. "There was a HOLE in the middle of the ground/And in this hole, there grew a TREE/The prettiest tree that you ever did see . . . " to the end of the verse: "And the green grass grew all around, all around,/the green grass grew all around."  Do you know it? If not, be sure to find this adaptation because you will love the illustrations, too.

Who Took The Farmer's Hat? - story by Joan L. Nodset and pictures by Fritz Siebel
          My almost four year old granddaughter chose this one at the library. The copyright is 1963, and the story fit her well. It's another book that repeats, and the anticipation/prediction aspect is the highlight of the book. The illustrations are simple drawings, look as if they've been done with colored pencils. The farmer had a favorite old brown hat, but one day the wind took it, and he went looking. Who he asks and what he discovers is the delight of the book, and the ending shows a kindness everyone will appreciate. 

Marilyn's Monster - written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Matt Phelan
         I ordered this because of many recommendations, so thank you all for sharing such a good book! I just found a new favorite picture book! It was so loved this week that after reading others, this was asked for every day! The story that includes lots of dialogue shows young Marilyn  waiting for her monster. Evidently everyone in her life has one, and hers hasn't shown up yet. Her parents give support, telling that it will show up soon. The rule is to wait, and Marilyn does show patience, but it just becomes too hard, so she goes looking, in spite of rude remarks from her older brother. What happens I'll let you discover, but it is a sweet and satisfying ending. Phelan's pictures are delightful soft watercolors. His monster creations might inspire other monster art and stories! In the back flap he states: "Drawing monsters is probably one of the main reasons I became an illustrator in the first place." If you are interested in a well-crafted story for young children, pick this one!

Still reading, but will finish soonBlue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater 
         
Next: #CyberPd starts this week, so one book I will begin is Digital Literacy by Franki Sibberson and William Bass. I'm not sure what else!

26 comments:

  1. Looks like you and your grandchildren found some good books to read. Here is my week. Happy reading!

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  2. What a wonderful time you have had with your grandchildren. I'm green with envy and wish I had some to read to. Like Marilyn, I guess I'll have to wait for these kinds of little monsters to arrive. My boys are getting there. Thanks for sharing and happy reading this week.

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    1. Thanks, Cheriee. It was a very good week, of reading & being with the girls.

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  3. Love your reading week with those grands. I'm off to request Marilyn's Monster and There Was a Tree. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks, Ramona. I think you'll love both! Just an FYI-my hall is finished, now filled with boxes to sell! On in to the room!

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  4. Yay Jeffers! I really do love everything he does.
    Marilyn's Monster looks great--adding it to my TBR :)

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. Yes, Stuck is so, so funny, & Marilyn's Monster in a totally different way. You'll love it! Thanks, Kellee.

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  5. Hi Linda,

    Who Took the Farmer's Hat was one of our favorite books to use in the classroom. It is an old book but a wonderful story that young learners can read. Thank you for reminding us about it. We can't wait for Marilyn's Monster to arrive from the library. So many people have blogged about that book. We are looking forward to connecting with you on #cyberpd

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    1. Oh, so happy that I found Who Took The Farmer's Hat. We all loved it, and now you're sharing that you like it too. It's great. Hope you enjoy Marilyn's Monster too.

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  6. I have read Stuck! aloud many times and I love it more and more. It is absolutely giggle inducing. Marilyn's Monster is quite delightful isn't it?

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    1. I imagined you had read both, Carrie. They are just great aren't they? Thanks!

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  7. I LOVE Oliver Jeffers and Stuck!! There was a Hole looks wonderful. I love that song! How nice that your grand daughters read your books with you this week!

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    1. It was fun, & we read others, too, but these definitely were favorites, Gigi.

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  8. I have Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater but have not started it yet! What do you think?

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    1. Have you read the first ones? I don't know if you love her writing, but I do, so I loved this one too. My favorite is still The Scorpio Races. I liked this book number 3 very much, Joanne. Number 4 is coming next February, FYI!

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  9. Linda,

    I absolutely adored Stuck! We took it out from the library quite a few times! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Ricki, happy to hear you loved Stuck, too. It is adorable and clever.

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  10. Marilyn's Monster sounds really wonderful. I love Matt Phelan's artwork in his graphic novels so I am sure I would love this art as well. I will have to go look for that one. Have a great reading week!

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    1. Thanks Andrea, I hope you like Marilyn's Monster. It is a gem, I think.

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  11. I love everything that Rachel Isadora writes/illustrates - such a gifted creator. I'm glad you enjoyed Stuck too. I haven't read Marilyn's Monster yet - so great to hear how much your young people are enjoying it - I will definitely have to check it out for myself then! :) Enjoy your Cyber PD!

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    1. Thanks, Myra. I was so enamored of Rachel Isadora's art, as was Ingrid. We looked and looked, & imagined how she made things. It was a joy in reading and in looking!

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  12. Thanks for these, Linda! I will be singing that tree song for at least the rest of the day ...

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    1. "There was a hole. . ." Ha, I know what you mean. I did it all last week! Enjoy the others, too!

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  13. I've got to look for Marilyn's Monster. I've enjoyed Knudsen's other books including her YA novel- Evil Librarian.

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    1. Oh, I don't know that book, Earl. Thanks!

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