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Sunday, June 19, 2016

It's Monday-with mostly picture books!


              Every Monday, it's a pleasure to link up with a group that reviews books they want to share with others. Come discover some new books!

          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.   
Tweet #IMWAYR

     Applesauce Weather is a short, sweet verse novel from Helen Frost, whose books are always a pleasure. The apples are ready, and it's applesauce weather, but Aunt Lucy passed on last year, and young Faith sits outside, waiting, waiting to see if Uncle Arthur will come anyway. He does, with his whimsical stories, especially the one that tells how he lost part of a finger. The "how" stories are always met with skepticism by Peter, Faith's older brother, who listens, but tries hard to show he isn't interested. Who he is interested in is Rose, a pretty neighbor. The story is a lovely fall afternoon, including memories of an old-time peddler who steps into Uncle Arthur's story, wending its way to a satisfying end. It's enhanced by the black and white sketched illustrations by Amy June Bates. It will make a wonderful mentor text for story-telling and for read aloud for younger students. (Coming in August.) Thanks to Candlewick for the arc!

         Evening comes and sleep, too, while listening to the 'cricket song' in a house on a bay with frogs who 'dreck' and owls who 'boo' as they watch the night. There is a fox listening for a rabbit plus sea otters and whales in the bay. Words seem soft, and while the double-page spread shows larger specific scenes, the bottom of each page shows the broader scene of the bay. You'll need to look closely to watch for changes. 
The illustrations are awesome, showing the outside world along with the young child sleeping. Beautiful bedtime book!


         I found this at my library, by a much acclaimed German artist, and his illustrations are in colored pencil, delightful and expressive! The story tells of two friends who live together, Gordon and Tapir. Unfortunately although they like each other, they are very different when it comes to their living habits. Gordon is neat, prefers everything in its place, while Tapir is quite messy, seems never to pick anything up or clean anything. Dishes are piled high! They do come to a decision, at least Gordon does. He moves out! Now they have no worries about each other's style, they can continue their loving friendship. What a discussion this would bring, and I do wonder that there is no compromise, it's simply a split. I hope some of you read this and let us know what you think!


         I can't wait to read this to my grand-daughters, one an early reader who has talked about reading a book with "only" words. This duck-like creature discovers a book, peeks in, and declares "not a picture book", all words! The declaration makes the book a throwaway, but then, he looks again, all the time talking to his little bug friend. It's just a terrific book, and there is a surprise to discover in the endpapers!
This is a book I discovered at my granddaughters' home, given to them because they have "so many cats".  It was published in 1985, still available! It's a counting book, in rhyme, repeating often as more and more cats move in, helping that original cat, "and Poke -- Poke,

       once our Only -
      now no longer lonely -
      Cat". 
      It's a darling book for young ones, and for cat lovers!

 Adult book: 
         This is a tough book to write about. There is much I'd like to tell, but also want others to experience it themselves. The story of a man who started a pilgrimage while only planning to post a letter entrances. The writing inspires. I was mesmerized after the first page, when it started on "an ordinary April morning" and became an extraordinary gift of life renewing to Harold Fry and others he met along the way. I lingered over the words Rachel Joyce used to describe the "ordinary", and what soon became what Harold lingered over too. ". . .a young willow shook in a fountain of silver. The first of the potato shoots fingered through the soil, and already tiny buds hung from the gooseberry and currant shrubs like the earrings Maureen (his wife) used to wear." Sorry I waited so long to read, but hope this inspires others to find it and read it! 

Now Reading - Rescued by Eliot Schaefer - I've read his first two about primates, and this is the third. Each one is fiction, but incorporates so much of the needs, triumphs and tragedies of primates. 


25 comments:

  1. I remember when I loved books in verse! "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" is on my to-read list. I hope to read it soon.

    Seems like you had a good reading week.

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    1. Thank you, hope you enjoy "Harold Fry"! And "Applesauce Weather"!

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  2. How fun when a book I've read long ago but haven't thought about in ages pops up again! The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye was a random pick from the library for me several years back, and I loved it, too! Thanks for the picture book recommendations as well.

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    1. So glad you liked Harold Fry, too. What a story! Thanks, Chris.

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  3. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye is a popular book here, apparently. But your other choices sound pretty good, too, especially Too Many Cats.

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    1. Thanks, Alex, Harold Fry is one I've known about but just didn't take the time for, now happy I did. Enjoy the picture books, too!

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  4. I saw Gordon and Tapir recently at my library but I ended up not checking it out. Now I think I need to go back and pick it up off the shelf. :)

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    1. I'd love to hear what you think, Beth. The illustrations are gorgeous, but as I said, the story needs a conversation. Hope you can find it again!

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  5. The picture books look enchanting and warm, Linda. The adult book you shared sounds like a thoughtful summer read - I am in need of a book like this, I believe!

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    1. If you haven't read it, I think you would enjoy this story of Harold Fry, Tara. The picture books are all good, some I enjoyed more than others. Thanks!

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  6. I really enjoyed Harold Fry. I felt as though I was walking right beside him. Thanks for the other recommendations.

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    1. You're welcome, Margaret. I loved the perspective Harold Fry brought, truly a terrific read!

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  7. I have Applesauce Weather on my list of books to read, glad to hear it's a good one!
    So, I read This Is Not a Picture Book, but I did not pay attention to the end pages! I'll check it out once I get home.

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    1. I thought Applesauce Weather was a story that tied together so well, Michele. Hope you enjoy it, too. Those end papers--beginning and end--are a treat! Thanks!

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  8. I have all of these on my To Read list. I'm looking forward to finding Cricket Song. Thanks for sharing this awesome list. Have a great week reading!

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    1. Thanks, Jana, I imagine you'll love each one of these.

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  9. Oh! I loved Harold Fry so much!! Started out light & funny but revealed layers of depth as Harold walked - sooo good. In fact, I just recently read the follow-up novel, The Love Song of Queenie Hennessey, all about Queenie waiting for Harold to arrive and writing her side of what happened all those years ago - just as good.

    Rescue is waiting on my shelf - I loved Endangered.

    Enjoy your books this week -

    Sue

    2016 Big Book Summer Challenge

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  10. Sounds as if we like similar books, Sue. I didn't know there was a book about Queenie. Thank you, off to save it on my list, and not put it off so long! Rescued is moving along, making me nervous just as the others did! Thank you!

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  11. After reading your review here, and the comments in the comment section, I can see that I need to read Harold Fry. I just found that it is available as an audiobook from our library. I hope it works in that format. I also now ant to read Gordon and Tapir and Cricket song.

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    1. You'll need to let us know about the audio version, Cheriee. It is told about Harold with some parts from his wife, so I wonder if there'll be two voices. Enjoy those picture books, too!

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  12. Linda, I love when you share books that I do not know about! You really keep my TBR list tipping :)

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. Thanks, Kellee, I think we all share so many new ones. My list grows and grows!

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  13. Gordon and Tapir looks fabulous! I love quirky animal books. :) :) :)
    Happy reading this week, Linda!

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    1. Those illustrations will delight you, Ricki. I'm interested to see what others think about the story too. Thanks, and happy reading to you, too!

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  14. I have enjoyed many of Helen Frost's books. I will definitely be looking for this one. Thanks!

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