It’s Monday! What are you Reading?
I love Sunday nights when I reflect on my reading over the week and join Kelle and Jen’s meme to share books read from picture books to young adult novels.
Because I am really supposed to be writing report cards, my book descriptions will be shorter than usual. Report card writing has also interfered with my reading time. This week I only finished one novel: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a Printz title by Benjamin Alire Saenz. But, oh, what a novel it was . . . So much I loved about this book. It was a truly beautiful read. Loved the relationship between mothers and sons. The respect for family. The search for who exactly one might be. I love the contemplative narration. The vulnerability revealed. Oh, did I adore this book . . .
Picture books I read:
Ten Birds by Cybele Young A great book to spark discussion! I personally love the illustrations. They are wonderfully quirky and odd. A counting theme but much more . . .
The Little Red Fish by Taeeun Yoo Library love and mixed up feelings of real and unreal as one travels literally, and not, through the pages of a book. Stunning!
These Hands written by Margaret H. Mason and illustrated by Floyd Cooper Such voice in the Grandfather teaching his little grandson what “these hands” can do. And then . . . what “these” hands cannot do because of racist ideas. Beautiful book. I need to own it.
Goal! written by Mina Javaherbin illustrated by A.G. Ford My students adored this book and wrote fantastic reviews. The illustrations are so full of life, the text beautiful to read aloud. I loved the celebration of play. These words in the text were my favourite: “When we play, we forget to worry. When we run, we are not afraid.”
The Monster Returns by Peter McCarty A sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster – don’t think it would be as cute if read as a stand alone. But as a sequel, charming.
Looking for a Moose written by Phyllis Root and illustrated by Randy Cecil Wonderful combination of energetic playful language and sweet images.
“Have you ever seen a moose — a long-leggy moose– a branchy-antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose?”
Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand Hillenbrand writes such whimsical, sweet stories. Adventure shared by two friends. Adorable.
Nonfiction titles:
Queen of the Falls by Chris VanAllsburg This was a fantastic read aloud that held my Grade 2 reading group on the edge of their seats. How could a 62 year old woman plan and execute a stunt such as going over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Here is the story of Annie Edson Taylor, determined to make her fortune by being the first person to go over the falls. A compelling and sad story.
Watch this video of VanAllsburg discussing creating the book:
Oscar and the Frog by Geoff Waring A cute little book that introduces concepts of growing and how different living things begin, grow and develop. I liked the connections between plants and animals.
I discovered that this book is part of an entire collection of Oscar books to introduce science/nature concepts to young readers. Would love to get all of the titles for my nonfiction collection.
There's a Book for That 
Carrie,
You did quite a lot of reading for having to do grades also! (I would have written longer book descriptions because that would be part of my procrastination strategies.) I think you recommended Sleep Like Tiger a couple of weeks ago. I got it this week and absolutely loved it. My library has some of your titles from this week so I look forward to checking them out. Thanks for the recommendations. Have a great week!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed Sleep Like a Tiger. A really gorgeous book! Yes, I am looking for many excuses to avoid these reports . . . but they really need to get done! As always, I’d rather be reading.
What a great week you had. I just ordered my copy of Aristotle and Dante… Can’t wait to read that one. Looking for a Moose and Queen of the Falls look great! Enjoy your week!
You will love Aristotle and Dante. Just so much right about that book. Wow. Queen of the Falls so interesting. I had a little girl who was away when we finished reading it ask me to lend it to her so she could finish it. She was so invested!
You read a lot! And so many I haven’t heard of before! Aristotle and Dante will be one when I can concentrate again–I’ll save it for April vacation– and These Hands looks beautiful. I’ll have to check out Goal as a mentor texts for all of the kiddos who like to write about sports. Thanks, Carrie. Have a great week.
The language in Goal! is just lovely. And yes, my kids were such keen listeners – soccer is a favourite sport. I found Aristotle and Dante a very easy to read book – lots to think about but reads beautifully. It it a treat.
Hi there Carrie, Fats (one of the GatheringBooks ladies) is currently reading Aristotle and Dante and she is loving it too so far. I actually own a copy of ‘the little red fish’ but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I think I also borrowed ‘ten birds’ from our library the moment I saw it on the shelves – like you, I have a penchant for the odd and the quirky – would also be part of our bimonthly theme in March/April. 🙂 I also reviewed Queen of the Falls, I think when we did our Girl Power bimonthly theme a year ago, and included that same video too! 🙂 You know what they say about great minds…
I haven’t heard about the Oscar series yet, but worth checking out. Have fun with your marking!
Oh you will love Little Red Fish – we share that similar taste! I read it to my kids with a volunteer in the room and she was just blown away by the book. She had a little tear. I highly recommend Aristotle and Dante!
Wow! What a great list of books! I love coming to your blog on Mondays because I always find new picture books I want to read. 🙂
I’ve noticed that the moose is a very popular animal in picture books lately.
Yep. Moose and Bears. Everywhere you look! I’m so pleased you are able to find some good picture book ideas!
So many great looking picture books. Looking for Moose is exactly the type of book I could imagine reading to my kids as preschoolers. In fact the quote you read reminds me of one our favorite-from-that-era Phyllis Root books, One Duck Stuck. Read so many times, I think I can still recite most of it. The power or great word play is magical. I’ve of course heard good things about Dante and Aristotle, and I can’t wait to get there soon. Good luck pulling report cards together and reward yourself with some great reading and family time! 🙂
The word play really is so much fun. I think you will love Aristotle and Dante – it is a beautiful book about family. I can’t wait for these reports to be done! I want to have some read aloud marathons with my own children. We are LOVING Emerald Atlas!
FANTASTIC read aloud- Looking for a moose!!! Excited to read Oscar the Frog, (others look good too) think it will fit with some curriculum requirements… Thanks!
Yes! I am very excited about these Oscar books. Think I’m going to order the entire set!
I’ll watch for your reviews! 🙂
Some seriously fun books this week. I am going on the hunt for The Little Red Fish. Looks so cool.
It is really a fantastic book about the magic of books and imagination. It was definitely a pleasant discovery at the public library!
Hi Carrie-love Queen of the Falls. And I think we’re trading good & interesting books. I’ve put These Hands, The Little Red Fish, and Ten Birds on my list. Wow-they look good! Thank you!
Great Linda! I hope you enjoy these titles as much as I did. These Hands would go beautifully with some of the other titles on your list in the historical fiction genre. I love Monday Reading posts so I can learn about so many more great titles! Thanks for stopping by!
My son loved The Little Red Fish! He really enjoyed Kite Day, too. I’ve also been very impressed with the Oscar books. They do a great job of explaining various concepts.
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing it!
I’m really interested in the Oscar books.Think I’m going to order the whole set for my class. Glad you enjoyed the list 🙂