#road2reading Challenge - It Is (Not) Perfect - 5.14.2020

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

These Thursday posts are important to me because I feel strongly that if you can get kids to fall in love with reading early, they will pick up books and they will read.  I also believe you can have a child fall in love with someone reading to them but hate reading.  The big key to loving to read is being able to pick up books and read them independently.  There is power in being able to read and power knowing you can read all by yourself.  However, so many books for those readers who are really just starting this journey are full of sight words, decodable text, and short sentences that don't make up much of a story.  So finding books that have sight words, decodable text AND a fun story AND great characters can be a challenge.  That's why I'm always glad when Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant have another book in their You Are (Not) Small series.

It Is (Not) Perfect

written by Anna Kang

illustrated by Christopher Weyant

published by Two Lions

Our favorite two friends are back and this time they are making the perfect sand castle!  But is it perfect?  Not according to everyone else on the beach.  Lots of suggestions come in - wider, taller, add windows and stairs and a drawbridge.  The friends stay very busy changing their perfect-not-perfect sandcastle until everyone is satisfied.  Until.... well, there's a little splashy surprise at the end!

The book is full of decodable words - taller, flags, shame - and sight words - should, what, these - but there will be some that are a bit trickier {almost all relate to building a more perfect sandcastle} - towers, arches, gatehouse, drawbridge.  But it has a great storyline and lovable characters.  Kids want a storyline to talk about, and there is so much with this one:

• humor - what was the funny part of the story
• social emotional pieces - how did the characters react when everyone kept telling them what to do?  When their hard work came apart?  What really is perfect?  Does everyone have to view perfect as the same?

It seems like in today's world - and maybe especially during this pandemic time - we talk about with young readers what the word perfect means.  And maybe talk about how sometimes our idea of perfect must change.  I know it's something I should do some reflecting upon!

Such a great title and the perfect thing is... this is part of a series!  So there are several more books for your reader to enjoy:

You Are (Not) Small - Geisel Award winner

That's (Not) Mine

I Am (Not) Scared

We Are (Not) Friends

Each book in the series brings up a kid-friendly topic and shows positive ways to encounter it.  Perfect for any library and a definite addition for your Social Emotional Learning library!

More about the author and illustrator team:

 

Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small as well as series titles That’s (Not) Mine, I Am (Not) Scared, and We Are (Not) Friends. They also wrote and illustrated Eraser, Can I Tell You a Secret?, and Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? Christopher’s work can also be seen in The New Yorker, and his cartoons are syndicated worldwide. This husband-and-wife team lives in New Jersey with their two daughters and their rescue dog. Visit them at www.annakang.com and www.christopherweyant.com.

Twitter: @annakang27 @chrisweyant05

Instagram: annakangbooks; christopherweyant   

Facebook: Anna Kang - Author; Christopher Weyant

Thank you to Barbara at Blue Slip Media for the review copy.

And thank you to Two Lions who has generously donated a copy for giveaway to US readers!  The giveaway is open through May 21st.

2020 Favorites List - 5.12.2020

2020 Favorites

I'll add to this post two more times this year:  at the end of summer and the end of the year!

Picture Books:

Black is a Rainbow Color
written by Angela Joy
illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Overground Railroad
written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James Ransome

The Paper Kingdom
written by Helena Ku Rhee
illustrated by Pascal Campion


Hike
by Pete Oswald


my best friend
written by Julie Fogliano
illustrated by Jillian Tamaki


Kaia and the Bees
written by Maribeth Boelts
illustrated by Angela Dominguez


That's Life!
written by Ame Dyckman
illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld


Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
written by Candace Fleming
illustrated by Eric Rohmann


We Are Water Protectors
written by Carole Lindstrom 
illustrated by Michaela Goade

Chapter Books:


Stella Díaz Never Gives Up
by Angela Dominguez


Big Mouth Elizabeth
by Rachel Vail
illustrated by Paige Keiser


Our Friend Hedgehog:  The Story of Us
by Lauren Castillo

Middle Grade:


Seven Clues to Home
by Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin


Black Brother, Black Brother
by Jewell Parker Rhodes


Efrén Divided
by Ernesto Cisneros


A High Five for Glenn Burke
by Phil Bildner


What Lane?
by Torrey Maldonado


Scritch Scratch
by Lindsay Currie


From the Desk of Zoe Washington
by Janae Marks


How to Disappear Completely
by Ali Standish


City Spies
by James Ponti


Wink
by Rob Harrell

Graphic Novels:


HiLo: All the Pieces Fit
by Judd Winick


Dragon Hoops
by Gene Luen Yang


When Stars Are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Young Adult:


Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me
by Gae Polisner


Looking for one of the books?  Click on the title and it will take you to a link to purchase from BrainLair Bookstore!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5.04.2020

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.

     

Happy Star Wars Day, to all who celebrate :)

Last Week's Adventures

Some new biographies to inspire the dreamers in your library.

Chapter books about animals that will touch your heart.


Picture Books


Child of the Universe
written by Ray Jayawardhana
illustrated by Raul Colón
Jayawardhana is a top astronomer and researcher and brings together science and us and the universe in poetic form.  Colón's illustrations are an absolute wonder to view.  
Published by the new Random House imprint Make Me a World, this book certainly celebrates the larger views of life from a parent to a child.


Knot Cannot
written by Tiffany Stone
illustrated by Mike Lowery
A funny take on silent letters in this funny book that pits the wants and desires of a knot vs a snake.  Will be a fun and "punny" read aloud!


Bike & Trike
written by Elizabeth Verdick
illustrated by Brian Biggs
A take on jealousy - what happens when a new bike comes (one that of course can do all the tricks and has the bells and whistles to match) to the old, but beloved, trike?


Lali's Feather
written by Farhana Zia
illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Young Lali finds a feather and asks her bird friends if it belongs to them.  While the birds first mock the feather compared to their own, after Lali shows them all the wonderful things it can do, they gain a new perspective.


Ocean! Waves For All
written by Stacy McAnulty
illustrated by David Litchfield
The next book in McAnulty's "Our Universe" series, features the return of illustrator David Litchfield (Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years).  Enjoy the beautiful shades he uses in this one.
I love the voice of each character in the series and Ocean has a definite surfer vibe!  In this informational fiction book, kids will enjoy some amazing facts about the amazing oceans, some reasons why we need to take care of it, as well as have a few laughs along the way.
Great backmatter including a game of "Would You Rather" with Ocean!
Publishes tomorrow!

Graphic Novels


When Stars Are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
This graphic novel is a phenomenal as everyone is saying.  An important refuge story told by co-author, Omar Mohamed.  Omar's story is one that needs to be told and read by all readers in the United States.  We've seen different refuge stories, but I think this one is important because it is #ownvoices, a longer book that encompasses years of the author's life, and told in a format that makes it accessible and visible to readers.  It's one thing to describe what a refugee sees on a regular basis, another thing to have the picture in front of you. 
We'll be talking about this one for awhile.


Bird and Squirrel: All or Nothing
by James Burks
This is a first.  I got the book last week, read it a few days later.  I read it before kids and it took me a few days to read it.  All because of the stay at home order.
I was able to book talk it to a class on a First Chapter Friday video conference.  It felt so strange to not put it directly into a reader's hands.
Another stellar outing for Bird and Squirrel.  You'll laugh as always, but I think this one had even more heart than the others.

Middle Grade


Lila and Hadley
written by Kody Keplinger
An #ownvoices novel, Keplinger channels her own visual impairment and what it would feel like on a teen in the character of Hadley.  Keplinger and Hadley have different degrees of vision loss, but Keplinger relied on her own memories of being a middle grade kid and the frustrations of having a visual impairment.
Hadley is not having an easy life.  Her mother is serving a sentence in jail and Hadley has to leave her friends and move to a new state to live with her estranged, older sister.  That's tough, but then add losing your vision.  Hadley has to get used to a new place and start taking mobility classes.  But then she meets Lila at the animal rescue her sister works with.  And Lila seems to feel kind of like Hadley - untrusting of people and not that willing to try anything new.  Lila and Hadley form a bond that takes Hadley by surprise.
When we talk about having #ownvoices reading material, it's important that we are representing all voices, including those of the disability community.


The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
I'm going to keep my thoughts pretty short on this one so I don't get ripped to shreds.  
I didn't like it.
I can appreciate the journey Edward went through and his self-realization of who he was and his thoughts about love.
There was violence and hatred that was written so succinctly that I felt it deeply in my heart.  Some would say that was good writing.  For me, it bothered me.  A lot.
Ok, time to move on....

Currently Reading


Ruin and Rising
by Leigh Bardugo
The final book in the trilogy, I'm loving this one just as much as the others. 
I really wish I had read this one before the Six of Crows duology, but I'm glad I read them now.  This series has held my attention and made me want to keep reading.  Hard to do, sometimes, during this pandemic!


I actually got through several books this week since I decided to slow down and not get as much blogging done.  I have one other post this week, but it's a "my favorites" post, so no extra reading was needed for it!  It was nice to be able to breathe a little and not worry about getting things done.  As the end of the school year comes, I think I'll be even more busy.  It's a different end of the year than ever before which will bring new challenges.  May will be an interesting month!


* Looking to find one of the books in this post?  Click on the book title and you will be taken to an online link for Brain Lair Books.  The books will stay on the link for approx. three weeks before making room for new reads.  Please support independent bookstores.*

#road2reading Challenge - chapter books about animals that will touch your heart! 4.30.2020

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

I love a good book that touches my heart.  I know many readers love a good book that touches their animal-loving heart!  Here are some chapter books that will do just that!



Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us
by Lauren Castillo
I have been waiting for this book for so long - the hedgehog teasers Lauren has been giving us over social media!  We've seen small pieces of the book, the stamps that are used on the chapter intro pages - it's so fun to see it all put together!
This is the first book in what is to be a series, that introduces us to the animals and human who make up a group of friends.  In this first book, we follow the chain of events that leads up to their friendship.  First, we meet Hedgehog and her BFF, Mutty (a stuffed animal dog).  Hedgehog and Mutty live on a small island by themselves and are very happy, until....a terrible wind sweeps up Mutty and brings her across the river into the forest.  Hedgehog knows she must find her, which is the start of her adventure.  She braves the water and swims across the river to the forest, which is where she literally falls into Mole's tunnel, er, house.  And then it becomes a quest, as Mole and Hedgehog go off to enlist the help of Owl.  They continue on, meeting and gathering new friends on their quest to find Mutty.
It's absolutely charming and heartwarming.  Readers who are looking for an animal story that brings them on an adventure, but one that warms the heart, will fall in love with Hedgehog and friends.  
One of my favorite parts about this book was included in the advanced reader copy.  Lauren tells her readers that this book came to be when she was making a big move from a big city to a smaller city.  Many people will relate to the feeling of going from something comfortable to something unknown... the possibilities are exciting and daunting.  These big feelings are captured so well in this book for young readers.
Don't miss this chapter book when it publishes next Tuesday, May 5th!


The Dog Who Lost His Bark
written by Eoin Colfer
illustrated by P.J. Lynch
If this book doesn't touch your heart, I'm assuming you don't have one!  
I'm not going to lie - this book has moments that are hard to read.  But the parts with the puppy are just some of the sweetest and touching moments.
When we first met the young puppy, he is just in the process of being adopted.  The human that owns the shelter is not the kindest, so even though he is separated from his mom, he's excited about going to a new place.  But right away, the young puppy knows he is not at a good place.  The abuse he suffers will hurt your heart.  But then he meets Patrick.  Patrick is loving and kind, and names the puppy Oz.  It's after his father who is in Australia on a musical tour.  The reader gets the feeling that there is something wrong between his mom and dad.  It's Patrick who is able to help Oz heal, and even find the power in using his voice - his bark - again.
This is a book, that comes off as a chapter book (only 134 pages and illustrations on most pages), but it packs a mature punch.  I think it's great to have a shorter book available for older readers.  Just make sure there are tissues available for them.


Happy chapter book reading!


* Looking to find one of the books in this post?  Click on the book title and you will be taken to an online link for Brain Lair Books.  The books will stay on the link for approx. three weeks before making room for new reads.  Please support independent bookstores.*

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - biographies in my pile - 4.29.2020

Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

I have a few picture book biographies to share with you this week!



Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
written by Rob Sanders
illustrated by Steven Salerno
Love this biography.  I really had no idea where the origins of the rainbow flag were and who started it.  Nor had I heard of Harvey Milk before.  This biography gives you a perfect snapshot of this part of Milk's life.  My absolute favorite illustration and photograph is the White House lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling that gay couples have the right to get married!


Fly High, John Glenn: They Story of an American Hero
written by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Maurizio A.C. Quarello
Such a well done biography about John Glenn.  It seems like I know pieces of his life, but this one really gave a great picture of who he was and his strong ideals.  A longer picture book to read out loud, I can see taking days to absorb and reflect on the information.  Definitely a book to add to your collection.


Leave It to Abigail! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams
written by Barb Rosenstock
illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Rosenstock absolutely captured the spunk of Abigail Adams.  Someone who didn't succumb to the gender roles of her time.  She was an example to women in the past and women now.  She was someone who knew what needed to be done, she multi-tasked, rolled up her sleeves, and got it done!


Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon
written by Kelly Starling Lyons
illustrated by Laura Freeman
If you have been to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, you know the beauty and power of it.  The building itself is a wonder to just see.  Inside, is full of information and emotion that few museums can invoke.  This is the story behind the architect of record of this majestic building, Phil Freelon.  
Author Kelly Starling Lyons tells us the story of a young Phil, who can create art and grasp mathematical and scientific content, but has a more difficult time reading.  A young Phil who learns from his grandfather to understand and listen to his inner artist's eye.  A young Phil who grew up during the Civil Rights period and heard Martin Luther King Jr. give his legendary speech.  Phil, who knew the importance of honoring those who came before him yet giving opportunities to those who were still learning.  And ultimately learning how Phil took all he knew and collaborated with others to create this mighty, mighty building.


I found a few new biographies to add to our school and classroom library, did you?


* Looking to find one of the books in this post?  Click on the book title and you will be taken to an online link for Brain Lair Books.  The books will stay on the link for approx. three weeks before making room for new reads.  Please support independent bookstores.*