It’s Monday What are you Reading? Celebrating books read from picture books to young adult reads. Link up with the meme sponsored by Kellee and Jen!
I read some wonderful picture books this week!
Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog by Mini Grey (who I happen to adore – read more here) There were lots of things I loved in this book – more in the pictures than in the storyline honestly. Love the oppositely stereotypical parents (Dad in apron and Mom with her circular saw). Loved the compost bin as play site. And what could be better than a search down the Grand Sofa Canyon? It did after all uncover a hairy sweet. This book reminds us germophobes not to come between a boy and his toy. Rescues into the slimy trash heap will be attempted!
Alfie Runs Away written by Kenneth M. Cadow and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Alfie is upset and decides to run away announcing it emphatically. His mother “helps” him get ready. Absolutely captures the sentiments of both mother and child. Love Castillo’s illustrations.
Pierre in Love written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Petra Mathers. A beautiful picture book about being in love and being brave enough to admit it.
The Gardener written by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small. I so love this author/illustrator team. And the book . . . We read it one night as a read aloud. Then the next day my daughter asked to read it again because she wanted to study the pictures. Lasting impressions – this book makes them! Love historical fiction delivered beautifully in a picture book!
The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins. I read this with my children as one of our many nightly read alouds (we also have a novel and a book of fairy tales on the go) over a few evenings. We were fascinated, shocked and sometimes disgusted (in the best of ways) as we learned all about beetles. Plan to purchase my own copy of this book and share it in the classroom this fall! Think of the art it will inspire! And since one in four living things happen to be a beetle, they deserve some studious attention!
Middle Grade reads:
The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
I am considering this for a book club pick for our student book club. Such an important time in history – would prompt a LOT of discussion. I adored this book!
Hound Dog True by Linda Urban. Now I understand why this is such a beloved book for so many. There are so many students I know who need to read this book. They will find themselves and so much more.
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm Okay, wow! I found one of the books I will read aloud to my new class this fall! Love the family dynamics between Turtle and the boy cousins. So much humour and yet lots of interesting things to discuss in terms of this time in history. Ideal read aloud for an upper primary classroom!
There's a Book for That 
LOVED The Lions of Little Rock. I think it’s still my favorite MG read of 2012.
I think it will be in my top three as well!
Oh–some great books here! I just finished Hound Dog True this week as well. Love Maddie. The Lions of Little Rock is probably my favorite 2012 middle grade book, and I really like Turtle in Paradise as well. The Gardener has been on my TBR, but you prompted me to look for it at the library this week! Thanks for sharing all those other picture books, too! Have a great week!
I was quite enamoured with The Gardener. Has prompted me to be in search of more historical fiction in picture books. I have the feeling you will love it. Lions of Little Rock is definitely a book I am not done with!
Lions of Little Rock is one of my favorites that I’ve read this year. I also love The Gardener. The image on the final 2-page spread makes me smile every time and I’ve read the book a dozen times, so I know it’s coming! And I’m adding Alfie Runs Away to my TBR. I think my 3yo might appreciate it 😉
Alvie runs Away is lovely for a little one. I remember being preschool age and packing to run away. This book took me back. Stewart and Small are an amazing team. Their books are so special.
I LOVED Turtle in Paradise. I just listened to the audiobook this summer and it was such a great read. My husband and I are going to Key West in a couple weeks too so it will be fun to think about Turtle’s adventures when we’re there.
Wow, it will be a lot of fun to be in Key West and think about this book. I loved how Turtle’s cousins and the boys on the street always acted like she knew nothing when she was unfamiliar with something they wer talking about.Their world was THE world. Hilarious. Can’t wait to read this to a class.
Loved Hound Dog True, but I haven’t read anything else on your list though they all look or I’ve heard are great. I really need to read Lions of Little Rock (It was on my summer TBR, but summer flew by…).
Happy reading this week! 🙂
Lions of Little Rock had been on my radar as well – I had been hearing a lot of buzz. Only a few chapters in and I was so thrilled I had picked it up. So many important stories are told within this book. Look forward to hearing what you think!