Monday, May 6, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5.06.19

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts
 and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  
It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.


Last Week's Adventures

Building my nonfiction picture book library is a priority.  Biographies and animal books are easy to find... always looking to build other parts!  This week I featured part 1 in books that teach kids about the world around them.


PIcture Books

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Harold & Hog Pretend For Real! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!, #6)
Harold and Hog Pretend for Real!
by Dan Santat and Mo Willems
Dan Santat?  Brilliant.
Mo Willems?  Brilliant.
Together?  Mind blowing.
This book is so good.  Why?  Because it's funny.  All.  The.  Time.  Kids will laugh.  You will laugh.  
The only drawback is to really really appreciate this book, you need to have read the Elephant and Piggie books.  But you know what?  All kids should do that anyway!
Multiple copies are needed for this one.

Daniel's Good Day
Daniel's Good Day
by Micha Archer
Daniel is back (Daniel Finds a Poem) and he's off exploring his neighborhood again.  This time he is asking the question what makes a good day?  Everyone seems to have a different answer, but readers will understand the connections.  For example, a girl who is getting ready to fly her kite in the park is looking for a steady wind.  The bus driver is hoping for a please and a thank-you.  Daniel's grandmother wants a hug from her grandson.  And it's with these simple answers that a wonderful classroom discussion can be had - what does make a good day?  Does it have to be the big things or can the simple things make you happy?
With Archer's oil and collage illustrations, readers will love the bright and vibrant colors that illustrate Daniel's walk.
During National Poetry Month in April, a third grade class read Daniel Finds a Poem and really enjoyed everything about it - the story, the bright colors, and the idea of looking for what poetry is.  I'm excited to share this book with them!
Publishes May 14th

Noah Builds an Ark
Noah Builds an Ark
written by Kate Banks
illustrated by John Rocco
A story that draws comparisons between a family preparing for an impending storm and animals doing the same.  Young Noah decides to build an ark for the living creatures in his backyard so they will be safe from the story.  With beautiful illustrations by John Rocco, it's a fun read to share with young children and talk about showing kindness to all creatures.

Puddle
Puddle
written by Richard Jackson
illustrated by Chris Raschka
I did not know what to expect with this one and I was very pleasantly surprised.  The puddle tells the story so it is a different perspective!  Objects and people interact with this large puddle in a funny and sometimes unexpected way.  With a heartwarming ending, this is a book I definitely want to add to my collection!

The Sun Shines Everywhere
The Sun Shines Everywhere
written by Mary Ann Hoberman
illustrated by Luciano Lozano
In a world that focuses on differences, it's nice to have a book that celebrates something that is the same!  Sweet book for young readers.

Underwear!
Underwear!
by Jenn Harney
Sure to invite lots of giggling listeners in your room while you read this book!  Perfect for your readers who love Interrupting Chicken.

Zen Happiness
Zen Happiness
by Jon J. Muth
Perfect for Words of the Wiser Moment if you use Notice and Note Signposts.
Each page has a saying that comes from meditations in Zen Buddhism.  Each illustration comes from one of Muth's five other "Zen" books.  

Sprout, Seed, Sprout!
Sprout, Seed, Sprout!
written by Annika Dunklee
illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
A young boy (usually) patiently waits while a seed sprouts and then goes through the steps to become a tree.  Told in sparse, rhyming text, this book is perfect for young readers and used in a science unit when growing something.

My Mommy Medicine
My Mommy Medicine
written by Edwidge Danticat
illustrated by Shannon Wright
Such a sweet story about how a young child needs some "Mommy Medicine" - that extra attention a caregiver gives when a young one is sick.  I enjoyed the author's note at the end that reminds us that while the book is called "Mommy", any caregiver can give the love and attention a child needs to feel special.
Also love that the illustrations feature characters of color in a book that has nothing to do with race or history.  More of these, please.

Cake
Cake
by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
I didn't know what to expect with this one.  All I'll say is my thinking changed as I read it.  
Just go find it and read it.  You'll chuckle....

Graphic Novel

Camp
Camp
by Kayla Miller
Love this follow up to Click - I needed to see what Olive was up to next!
Friendship is always so tricky for kids - what is needed one day, is completely different the next.  Miller navigates her characters through these changes so perfectly.  Another great graphic novel to put in kids' hands!

Currently Reading

Love from A to Z
Love From A to Z
by S.K. Ali
Halfway through and I am LOVING this book.  So happy that a book like this exists that has a fantastic storyline, Muslim-American characters, and cultural discussions.  Yes, please.


I have an enormous stack of MG and picture books in front of me.  Quite daunting, actually.  Somehow I will get them read!  Have lots to share with you next week :)  Until then, happy reading!

8 comments:

  1. I got a copy of Camp, but I haven't had time to read it yet. I told a student it was coming so if she comes to borrow it, I'll have to give it to her whether I've read or not. My copy of Harold and Hog will hopefully come soon. It's one of the few books I've ordered without reading first. I love Daniel's Good Day.

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  2. Harold and Hog are on the list, plus Daniel's Good Day & so many others, Michele, like Muth's new one. I enjoyed Noah Builds An Ark very much. Thanks for sharing some new ones!

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  3. The folks at my local library are crazy about you; I requested every one of your picture books this week! Thanks for the great recommendations and have a super week!

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  4. Underwear and Cake both look hilarious! Definitely need to add them to my TBR. Have a great week Michele!

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  5. Zen Happiness and My Mommy Medicine caught my eye. I am glad to know that Muth's Zen series is growing. :)

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  6. So many books here that I need to get my hands on! I need to up my reading of YA over the summer to have some new books to booktalk for one of my fall classes, and I will definitely be looking for Love from A to Z.

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  7. Oh my, my kids are going to love Underwear! I also hope to find My Mommy Medicine -- this looks sweet! I've been hearing rave reviews of Love From A to Z, so I can't wait to hear your thoughts next week. Thanks for all the wonderful shares, Michele!

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