It's Monday - More Lovely Books to Share!

  

            Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

          I wish I could tell you I've finished Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel but I have not. Too many things going on keep me from long bouts of reading. It has started well, and as books by Oppel are, it's a bit scary!

       Cheriee, some of these books below are by Canadian writers, and are wonderful!         

       I'm grateful for the following books from Candlewick Press. Although one as you will see is set long ago, all of these books celebrate family, They're warm and comforting, sometimes a bit adventurous, the memories that make us smile.

         In a poetic verse, Tanya Rosie tells the story just right for this time of year. It's fall for a mother and her young child and time to visit a special tree. They rise early, carrying tubs and buckets, and travel by bus to walk into the countryside: "The grass is long, it's wild when it waves. I point to the field with glee." That's when they finally arrive at their wonderful mulberry tree. They pick, stain hands and shirts, then make their way home to make pie! From early morn to bedtime, this family time feels like a memory to have again and again. I wonder if readers will remember one special time they've had. The story shows the mother-daughter closeness of what seems to be a single-parent household. Chuck Groenink's soft and nature-feeling illustrations, both full-page and with panels show the fun of such a day scene after scene. 

         In this debut picture book, high school art teacher Logan S. Kline tells a wondrous tale of long ago when, if people's fire went out, someone must go in search for it again. With a small intro to begin, the rest is an amazing wordless adventure when, after some argument, one young boy volunteers to go for the family. On the way, he takes refuge in a thorn tree from frightful creatures, manages to survive, and trek on with his own "fire" and determination. A lightning storm shows promise when smoke rises from afar. Along the way, he finds a way to save another creature, one that becomes a friend. I've read it more than once, seeing extra details Kline adds like the mountainous landscape, white-capped river waves, the people's attire. This will be one for young readers to imagine themselves in such a time and place. What would they do? How would they face the dangers? 

        Want a way to capture a special memory by the sea? Read this new book by Karen Hesse, with sea-worthy illustrations by Charlotte Voake. It's a rhyming ditty about one seaside walk with Granny and Bean who struggle against the wind, watch the gulls fly and curlews trill. They're bundled up and clearly, it's a chilly day but others are out, too, walking dogs, searching for shells in the sand. Granny and Bean even take tea! The story feels like a song to remember. The dedication from Hesse is to her "beloved Beans", and from Voake, "In memory of Little Granny, and our seaside adventures." Lovely book!

        Poppy's House and Something About Grandma, along with Granny and Bean, are loving books about the special memories made when staying with grandparents. I have them and now as a grandmother hope my own grandchildren bring good memories into their futures, too. 

Poetry Friday - More Love for Fall

         Poetry Friday is with Matt Forrest Esenwine, HERE at his website, Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme with some "preview" words of his new picture book, How to Be A Human.  Thanks for hosting, Matt!

        Over the years, I have shared poems I've written or those by others about fall. It's my favorite season, one that holds delightful things for us when we go out into nature every single day. Here's a poem I wrote a while ago, still true, still my celebration. The prompt was "forgotten"

a view out my front window

forgotten in July

tree blaze
leaf crunch
coat days
soup lunch
bird trek
bloom wilt
squash check
warm quilt
doors closed
brown lawn
cold nose
socks on
breath steam
snow shine
beach dream
cold –
fine
     Linda Baie © 

It's Monday - More Special Books to Share!

 

 

  

            Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

          Whew! Busier at the bookstore last week than most weeks, training new volunteers (remember we are all-volunteer-run), working with donations, plus more needed paperwork. And, I have a new laptop and I imagine you all know how much time that takes to get the transfer just right! I'm not griping, just too busy to do much reading. The weather has been marvelous so that takes me outside more than usual! I hope you've all had a good week and wishing you one ahead, too

       Of course, it's a must-read, this third of Meg Medina's trilogy about Merci. As one of my own granddaughters is an eighth grader, too, I loved this peek into this eighth grader's thoughts. It is a poignant ending with Merci and her friends, her wonderfully supportive, and wise, family, wrapped around the dilemmas facing someone who wants to do well, be one of "that group", but do the right thing, too. She really is growing up!

Thanks to Candlewick Press for the advance copy!

            In rhyming text by Irene Latham and Charles Waters with colorful illustrations for every 'bridge-building' idea by Nabila Adani, a child (or a class) can learn about bridge-building in all kinds of ways. They can say "hello" to someone new, offer to share an activity with someone who looks like they'd like to join in and stand up to someone who's saying something mean about another's dress or different way of acting. Connecting to another in caring ways is a good thing to do. Charles and Irene have created a book that will help teachers share with their classes or kids to read and discover their own special ways to "Be A Bridge". 

There is a note from the authors, a list of activities, more book ideas, and a "Bridge Builder Pledge" at the back. Be sure to find this book!

       A book for everyone who's ever wanted a dog or adopted one, a book that animal shelters will love, too! Henry Cole has written another great book, this time about a young boy who wants a dog yet he struggles doing chores like keeping his room clean. His dads are unsure he can take on the extra, and large responsibility of taking care of a dog. Wait till you see what that boy does to show them he can! And be sure to take lots of time to notice all the details of people, animals, and places Cole includes in this marvelous wordless picture book. There's a backstory, too, which Cole adds at the end. It's terrific!

Poetry Friday - For the @PoetryPals and Heidi

 

 

         Poetry Friday is with Tabatha Yeatts-Lonske, HERE at her website, The Opposite of Indifference, sharing some "meme" laughs and a sweet poem about missing cats. You'll understand when you read her post!  Thanks for hosting, Tabatha!

              Best wishes to anyone who has been touched by Hurricane Ian or is waiting to see what it will do next. I am so sorry for all the devastation I am seeing.

          The Poetry Princesses gave their end-of-month prompt at the end of August. I found it at the end of Laura Purdie Salas' post. She wrote: "Want to write with us next month? Write a definito poem, a cool form that I first learned about from Heidi Mordhorst, and post on September 26 on your blog and/or on social media with #PoetryPals!" Heidi introduces her creation here!

          I've known about it but somehow I have never tried one. Now I have! For this challenge, I've been messing with words for a couple of weeks, at least. I struggled to choose. Then I thought of my favorite kind of words, those that are exactly the same but differ in meaning, homonyms. This time, I wonder if each one does differ when researching it. Can there be a connection? 

            (Side note: There is a third definition of "bark", less-used, usually spelled "barque". Do you recognize it now?)

  I live in an old neighborhood, looked out
all my windows, and counted 26 trees that I 
could see.  Their bark fascinates me every
time I pass by when out walking. Here are four.
The dog picture
was found on Wikimedia Commons,
titled "dog barking".

Bark

 

     Protecting trees and you!

They keep insides safe,

the cambium where trees thrive.

the homes where children flourish.

furry or smooth, patchy or rough. 

 

One offers a forest’s fashion line;

another a family’s canine kin,

     protectors

 

From insects and interlopers,

to fire and strangers:

the ‘bark’ of a tree,

the ‘bark’ of a dog,

 

both safety warriors.

 

 Bark

 

Linda Baie ©

 

It's Monday - Check Out These Books

 

  

            Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

       Minni, a middle-schooler in Mumbai, is the light of her family's life, working so hard to pass her final exams so she can "stay" in school. Sadly, the bottom drops out when a fun ride in a fancy car brings disaster as her brother and friend spy on a water thief, and just barely escape capture. They need to leave the city quickly because they were recognized. Now Minni misses her brother, then her mother becomes ill and also has to leave to be cared for by her sister. Can life get any more complicated? Minni has to do her mother's house-cleaning job in a rich people's home after school. She has to gather water at the pumps, then boils it for cleanliness early in the morning, and all the time trying to study, too. 

       For young readers seeing a child's life in another culture will bring them new knowledge of hardship in our world, and then Minni also shows them her courage, and how important the help and support from a best friend can be. I've taught this age and love that Varsha Bajaj has shown how capable under the worst of circumstances they can be. It's a wonderful story of a courageous young woman.

        Once Haven landed on Ma Millie's doorstep as a raggedy kitten, her life was filled with at-home goodness: the smell of baking bread, tasty food in a blue bowl, and the warmth of Ma Millie's lap. But when Ma Millie became sick, then sicker, Haven knew that something had to be done and there was no one to do it but her. Building up the courage she knew was needed, she took the first step into the unknown, frightening forest to find help. She figured she could do it, yet wasn't sure how. Megan Wagner Lloyd has created quite a small hero who did big things in this story with the help of a forest creature who could have eaten Haven but instead helped her and became a friend. Some frightening moments keep the tension high and the slow buildup of friendship, then even loyalty makes the story to enjoy and remember.
                Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

            Published twenty-five-plus years ago, this wonderful book has a new and updated edition, answering what appears to be all the questions preteens and teens may want and need to know. According to the jacket flap: "This refreshingly open and thorough presentation of the facts of sex includes information about puberty; reproduction; birth control; STDs, including HIV/AIDS; pregnancy; gender; and safe Internet and social media practices." and "Throughout, two cartoon characters, a curious bird and a squeamish bee, reflect the diverse feelings today's kids often have about sex."  Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley's update brings readers into their current lives being lived. The cartoons help lighten the mood while giving the straight scoop in these serious topics, including chapters that include "Changes and Messages" within the section on Puberty and "Who We Are" in the first section, "What is Sex?". Within "Staying Healthy", they've included "Talk About It", concerning sexual abuse. Also, there is a thorough section about abortion, including historical explanations of the law but unfortunately, it is now out of date. If used with a child or a group of students, further research and knowledge will need to be added. Nevertheless, it really is a fine book. 

                Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!       

        After hearing special stories from his Mommy about where she grew up, a young boy is excited to actually visit and see those magical places for himself. Yet, all is not the same. After years away, he and his Mommy find that things are very different. The small town has grown up, too. It's now a city with tall buildings and paved streets, lots of vehicles, and people. They visit grandma, a nice thing, and as they explore all those favorite story memories, find that some good things remain, like playing and splashing in the river and finding treasures underneath the stones. No matter the changes, some things do stay! Hope Kim was inspired to write this story from her own experiences returning to her hometown in Korea. Jaime Kim's illustrations show happiness all through the book from imagining the places then finally, finally being seen. This may connect to so many kids whose parents don't often return to their 'faraway' first homes but tell loving stories about them.  
                     Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!