Monday, April 22, 2019

It's Monday - Lovable books

            Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who post their favorites. 
        The winner of the giveaway of Superlative Birds by Leslie Bulion is Vicki Wilke!

       If you are interested, I'm writing a poem a day for poetry month, posting a second post on the days that I share reviews.




for Poetry Month - a new book by Laura Purdie Salas


        I've followed Laura's blog for a long time and have enjoyed her books and ideas for teaching poetry, too. Back in 2014, she wrote a poem a day for Poetry Month, I followed along and made a file of each, what she called, 'riddle-ku'. And I used them with students who loved writing their own. Now Laura has created a book of the seasons, just perfect for NOW because it starts with spring. Six riddles are included in each of the four seasons, beautifully clever new ways to see each part of our year and to crack the riddle. You'll need to get the book to discover the "wind bird", what has a "wicked whine", "a crispy crowd of loud crunch" and "knitted twins". Mercè López illustrates with subtle hints in vivid color, manages to show each riddle with beauty, including that gorgeous title riddle, "lion of the sky". I love the varied things that Laura shows in the seasons, not simply in nature, but activities found in them, too. Laura explains Riddle-Ku in an afterword and a list for further reading is also added.

        Except for the book above, Thanks to Candlewick Press for the following books. It's time for babies!


         The origin of Mercy Watson is "extraordinary", and now we have the pleasure of learning it, and how those closest handled it. Mrs. Watson had just expressed concern to Mr. Watson about their ordinary life when Mercy appears. I won't tell the story because you have to read it and delight all over again at the Watson's immediate love for a baby pig, for Eugenia Lincoln's grumpy, no surprise, response, and for Baby Lincoln's good neighbor actions. Hearing the back story of Mercy and those in her life is a wonderful thing to read.



        Those who know best recommend that new parents and baby spend time to rest and to know their new family recently made, a time named "babymoon". In lovely rhyming couplets, ones that are like a lullaby, Hayley Barrett sweetly tells of 'sunny naps' and 'reading stories' along with bringing a chuckle when she writes "We muddle through each new concern. Focusing on the baby snuggling, sleeping, looking along with the parents' happiness and amazement Juana Martinez-Neal brings pages of warmth into her illustrations plus much emotion in the parents' faces. The focus is on their 'babymoon', but in the background are bits and pieces the home itself. A seemingly disgusted cat sits on top a shelf with other items that mean home--a plant and books, a figurine and a picture. Along the way, still loving the family, the cat appears curious, comes closer. A dog is part of the family, too, lying close, content. By the end, the family has settled in all together, happy in their babymoon. It is a wonderful book, perfect for a young or new family.



        You might believe from the darling cover that this is an ABC book meant for babies, but no, Atinuke has crafted a baby book, but for only in this special story, the letter "B". Its a circular book, too, from Baby to Baba and back to Baba, then Baby again, and all the Beautiful Bounty one sees on a special trip. Don't miss Angela Brooksbank's gorgeous color illustrating this trip, favorites are the double-page spread with the baobab tree and the one where brother on his bike and baby in the banana basket ride by the Baboon. However, there is much to love on each page.



           I spent more than one part of a school year and then with trips with students studying sand hill cranes. They, along with other cranes, are quite special birds as you will discover when you read this poem story by Helen Frost illustrated with incredibly marvelous photographs by Rick Lieder. From sounds in the egg, through hatching, and finally flying off with their flock, they follow one baby crane growing up. The story is told by the babies themselves as they accompany the photos, as in this picture below. And more information about sandhill cranes is added at the back. 















Still Reading: Children of Blood and Bone. I did not find the time to finish this busy week! Whew, it's intense!


22 comments:

  1. Love the cover of Lion of the Sky, Linda! I've only read one Mercy Watson book but I found it delightul! Of course, you can't go wrong with a book by Kate DiCamillo! Good luck with Children of Blood and Bone. I have a copy at home but haven't gotten to it yet. I'm thinking of pre-ordering Children of Virtue and Vengeance. It comes out in December. I did buy a copy of The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. I can't wait! Happy Reading!

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    1. I've seen great reviews of Lisa See's new book, have loved her other ones. I thought I'd better read Children of Blood and Bone before the next, and now the date changed until December, long wait! Lion of the Sky is wonderful, Fats. Hope you can find and enjoy it! Thanks!

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  2. I just adore Mercy and so excited to read the prequel. I'll admit that I do not own a lot of poetry books so will definitely check out Lion of the Sky. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Laura. Lion of the Sky will be a great addition to any collection, lots of fun in it! Mercy's beginnings is a delightful look back, has all the characters we know and love!

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  3. I am green with envy that you have already read A Piglet Named Mercy. I've added Babymoon to my list. Hello, I'm here! is one I'll be looking for as well. I love nonfiction poetry books!

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    1. I thought of you with your young grandchildren, Cheriee. These books are all darling for young ones. As for Laura's poetry, maybe a bit older, but will work well from schoolage on. Thanks!

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  4. What a great list this week! I just ordered Lion of the Sky, A Piglet Named Mercy and Babymoon from my library. Can't wait to read them. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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    1. Terrific that you found them, Jama. Each one is very special. Thanks!

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  5. Thank you, Linda! I'm so glad you enjoyed LION OF THE SKY! And thank you for being one of the encouraging voices back in 2014. The lovely response I got from teachers then is what prompted me to pitch the idea as a book!

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    1. You're welcome, Laura, what fun to hear that those earlier cheerleaders kept you remembering and creating this book. I loved them then and now in this beautiful book.

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  6. A Piglet Named Mercy is in my library stack. I've heard a lot of great things about Babymoon. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa, both are special books for fans of Mercy and for young children, parents and grandparents, too.

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  7. I must get Hello, I'm Here! It looks excellent. Babymoon looks sweet and I will need to read Mercy's origin story. :)

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    1. Hello, I'm Here! by Helen Frost is terrific, Crystal. I love sandhill cranes, was so excited to see a book just for them. Enjoy Babymoon, the sweetest! Thanks!

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  8. Still waiting for Hello I'm Here to come into my library! I really enjoy the collaboration between the two.
    Love the first three books on your list. Laura Purdie Salas had some great books published this year!

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    1. I don't think I've seen all the collaborations, but loved 'Step Gently Out'. Yes, Laura has written some wonderful books this year! Thanks, Michele!

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  9. Oh, I LOVE Kate DiCamillo's books! I think I have missed the last few because my kids grew up :)

    Enjoy your books this week & thanks for taking the time to leave a comment on my blog!

    Sue

    Book By Book

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    1. I don't always read them all, but try to keep up with Mercy Watson! Thanks, Sue!

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  10. I feel so sad that Babymoon is not available in our public library yet. I have now placed it in my Goodreads to-find list and really looking forward to finding it soon. Have read B is for Baby just recently - it's gorgeous! Really enjoyed it. I thought it was well done. Have a great reading week!

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    1. Thanks, Myra, so glad you liked B is For Baby. I agree, it's beautiful! Hope you'll have Babymoon soon!

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  11. I cannot wait to read Babymoon and share it with my personal friends. We've used that term for years in the home birth community, but I wasn't familiar with a children's book about it until this year. YAY! And I know what you mean about Children of Blood and Bone, Linda. VERY intense. I have book #2 on my #MustReadin2019 list, but I think the date has been moved back to December -- so we'll see if I'm able to squeeze it in. Hope you're having a wonderful reading week!

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    1. How wonderful that you know the term 'Babymoon'. It was new to me and I loved the book, am sure you will, too, Shaye. I did finish Children of Blood and Bone. Wow! Now we have to wait, and wait! Thanks!

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