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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Monday Reading


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

        I imagine many of you know the meme Brain Pickings. Here is a wonderful piece about public libraries, that "thing" all who post here seem to use and celebrate often!

         If you wish, it's time this Thursday, September 1st, to share an update from your #MustReadIn2016 goals. Link up with Carrie Gelson at There's A Book for That!
       This is the story of Dr. John Snow and a local cleric, Henry Whitehead discovering the true cause of cholera, fighting the then current beliefs that miasmatic air was the cause. There is detailed explanations of how the disease began, and how fast it began to kill, a tough story to read. But the further exploration in a time when almost no one was able to see things microscopically is fascinating. And the speculation about cities and close population, what it means for us in the future is also interesting. It's a dense n-f book for adults and older students who enjoy the stories of science, the good and the bad.
      A cat tags along with a family on a European vacation, visiting familiar landmarks, although many might have to be told about them, or even what and where they are. The text doesn't give a hint except in the illustrations, focuses in some rhyming text on the cat, where he is hiding, how he manages all those transportation types. It's a delight to see Lauren Castillo's illustrations, so recognizable, simple detail, lots of color. And, I love seeing City Cat lying up on Notre Dame Cathedral with that gargoyle!



       There is a time when the hot weather in some of our places lessens, and cool weather steps in. The message to the trees, the growing plants, and the animals is to get ready, here comes autumn. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young girl has a conversation as she walks through woods. greeting birds and plants, enjoying the day. For example, she says: "Hello playful foxes and singing blue jays." They reply, "Hello! We are busy looking for food. Some of us are heading south to our winter homes." Kenard Pak manages to include quite a bit of the changes when autumn comes, like animals leaving or searching for food and leaves changing color. And he also shows the beauty in luminous colorful pages, just like fall!

           I found one of Elise Gravel's Disgusting Creatures series at the library, Head Lice! While I've dealt with this tough critter in my classes (head itching always) in the past, there are things I didn't know, like they ONLY live on human blood, not any other living creature. She writes about dogs, "Let the fleas have 'em!"  Now I need to discover and read more of these informative and lively books. The simplicity of the cartoon story is well done, offering lots of information easy to read for younger readers.

 















          I'm going to share both of the above books together because I am not a big fan. They are beautiful to see, but I'm unsure about the message in both, The Rainbow Fish asks for giving something up in order to make a friend. And Feathers for Peacock asks every other bird to give up some of their  feathers in order to help peacock. He missed the time when others were receiving their own feathers because he overslept. I'm not sure if the tales will send the wrong message.
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Still reading: a YA novel from NetGalley: A Song To Take The World Apart. The little I've read makes me want to read on, but I've had a busy week, and finishing Ghost Map took a lot of time!

Next: I have a new copy of Nine, Ten, so excited! 

14 comments:

  1. Hi Linda, just reading your comments on head lice made me want to scratch. That is one of the things (and all the rest of the germs) that I will not miss now that I am retired. The cover of Goodbye Summer Hello Autumn is beautiful. The Ghost Map looks like a fascinating read. I've added it to my list of possible gifts for family members.

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    1. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn is a beauty, and hope your family enjoys Ghost Map-just fascinating. Thanks, Cheriee, reading Head Lice made me itchy while reading!

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  2. YES I'm so excited to see The Ghost Map getting some love, it's one of my favourite nonfiction titles, and I have a serious crush on Steven Johnson - his series "How We Got To Now" on Netflix is absolutely fascinating.

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    1. So exciting to have more info about Steven Johnson. I found this book just because it was on the bookstore shelf, he's new to me, and I loved this book. Thanks, Jane!

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  3. I'm thinking that Head Lice is a must have book for my sixth graders - they will delight in it and be grossed out as well: perfect middle school combination!

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    1. Ha! If you sometimes have lice, it would be fun to read this, but it might also show a different approach to sharing n-f information, Tara. The series has been reviewed well by various people, and it's the first one I've read-so good!

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  4. I loved City Cat when I read it. I'm certain my students aren't familiar with these locations, but some might be curious to find out more. However, I'd love to get my own copy and live vicariously through this cat! I need to check out the other books on your list. I've read Rainbow Fish to kids when I taught primary, but it's been a long time since I have. Hope you enjoy reading Nine, Ten; it's awesome! Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks, Jana, wouldn't it be fun to study geography through City Cat, travel with students, or really travel with family? I'm sure I will love Nine, Ten, but it will be hard to remember too.

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  5. Anything Lauren illustrates is a favorite of mine! She's so wonderful.
    I saw your review of The Rainbow Fish on Goodreads and it made me pause. I haven't used that book in so long. I remember it was gifted to me by friends in college, they were in my practicum classes. It was so popular then and praised for the message. I never thought otherwise, but you've made me think now. Great conversation to have.

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    1. Yes, I agree, Lauren Castillo's book just please every time. As for Rainbow Fish, it may have just hit me wrong. I think everyone should be friendly and kind, but giving away something of yourself feels odd. Thanks, Michele for your experience with it, too.

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  6. I can't believe it. I just read Rainbow Fish for the first time in decades this week. I said the same thing to my husband! I appreciate a book about sharing, but it makes me feel uneasy. I am so shocked we had the same thought this week!

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    1. It is a little weird, Ricki. As you can see from what I wrote Michele, too, I felt it was too much to give. Thanks for sharing with me.

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  7. I love Lauren Castillo's illustrations. Just seeing the cover of City Cat makes me so happy.
    Like Ricki, I reread Rainbow Fish as an adult since I was a mom, and I was so saddened by it!

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. All I can say is that perhaps little children are attracted to The Rainbow Fish because it's pretty. I agree about Lauren Castillo. Her illustrations are just so pleasing to see. Thanks, Kellee.

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