It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Join up to Kellee and Jen’s meme and share what you have been reading from picture books to young adult novels.
I enjoyed many picture books this week. It seems many had a theme of friendship. Also dogs graced many a page and the name Hopper kept cropping up. Who knows why these things happen?
The Lonely Moose by John Segal Sometimes we think we don’t need friends. But once we’ve begun to enjoy the company of another, life can be pretty lonely once we are alone again. This is what this lovely little picture book explores.
The Reader written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Lauren Castillo I adore Castillo’s illustrations. Amy Hest never misses. Books, companionship and a snow day. This book is a wonderful nostalgic little read. The most clever thing of all? Calling the little boy the reader throughout the story. It just gives this story a whole other level.
Hopper and Wilson by Maria Van Lieshout I think there can never be too many picture books about friendship. So I was delighted to find another.
Harry and Hopper written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Freya Blackwood I am fast becoming a huge fan of Freya Blackwood’s illustrations. I love the scratchy, loose lines and the mood she creates through shading and colour. This book tackles themes of grief and a pet dying. It is done in a gentle, sweet way that respects everyone’s process.
Dog Loves Drawing by Louise Yates Great message – that art, doodling. drawing can tell a story, allow for creativity and challenge the imagination.
You by Stephen Michael King I have a soft spot for Stephen Michael King’s illustrations. (Leaf is one of my favourites) A book that celebrates all of us.
Mirror Mirror written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Josee Masse Beyond clever. I have been sharing these poems with my reading group and we read each poem multiple times just being in awe how reversing words and changing phrasing alters everything.
Some nonfiction titles:
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins written by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Brian Selznick I read this title to my own children. We have all read all of Selznick’s books so were excited to see his illustrations here (Caldecott honour worthy and all!) We were intrigued by how Hawkins made models of dinosaurs without having all of the definitive details that would be later discovered. Part of a story about the quest to “recreate” dinosaurs that we just didn’t know.
How the Dinosaur got to the Museum by Jessie Hartland We actually read this before The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins – it gave us all of the vocabulary to understand what is involved in erecting a dinosaur skeleton. Fascinating! And time consuming! Reading it with my children, we turned it into a memory game 🙂 Each time I got to the by the _______, I would pause and see who remembered the title! An excerpt:
“chiseled from the stone by the EXCAVATORS,
authenticated by the PALEONTOLOGIST,
and searched for by the DINOSAUR HUNTER.”
I Have the Right to be a Child written by Alain Serres, illustrated by Aurelia Fronty Such an accessible book for children to learn about the rights of children everywhere. Gorgeously illustrated.
I finished two novels this week:
Anything but Typical written by Nora Raleigh Baskin Is this cover not just absolutely stunning? Loved pausing in this book just to stare at it. A fantastic middle grade read narrated by a boy with autism. Themes of family, friendship and identity. So much to this story. Baskin weaves many stories into this one vulnerable tale. It is challenging enough to fit in as a preteen, what happens when you are autistic and your very reactions to the world guarantee you stand out?
Fourmile written by Watt Key This book manages to be both all about the characters and yet it doesn’t scrimp on action. There is always something going on – even under the surface of the simplest and mundane tasks like painting a fence. Sometimes the goings on are dramatic and frightening. Steeped in hurt, pain and longing, this story also reveals the vulnerability and strength in the characters. While, the main character is a twelve year old boy, some of the disturbing scenes might make this more of a young adult read. Or a middle grade . . . with caution. I continue to love this author after first reading Alabama Moon and being blown away.
Next up? Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
There's a Book for That 
So many darling picture books, Carrie, but I think I’ll be sure to search for Hopper and Wilson-the cover is so great. And Fourmile sounds great. Thanks for all the ideas again! You read so much!
Fourmile was fantastic. I really think Watt Key is an author that delivers. A lot of intensity to his books. Hopper and Wilson is very cute – kind of an Oliver Jeffers type friendship story like Lost and Found.
I read Mirror Mirror last week and loved it and just read on Katherine Sokolowski’s blog that there’s another – Follow Follow. Great titles this week. I’m excited to check out your NF titles. Anything but Typical looks really good too. Have a great week!
I also saw that there is a second title! I would love to get my hands on a copy. Anything but Typical was really well done. An ideal middle grade read.
Hi Carrie, I am particularly intrigued by The Lonely Moose, and I Have the Right to be a Child. I LOVED Anything But Typical. I also stumbled upon The Reader one day in my public library, so sweet. Have a great reading week ahead.
Anything but Typical was a very pleasant surprise for me. The more I think about it, the more well done it was. Loved the relationship between mother and son. So realistic. I think you will love I Have the Right to be a Child. All libraries should have a copy!
Hi there Carrie, the greatest thing about visiting your posts is that I find new ones that I know I just have to find for myself. The Brian Selznick book is definitely one I should search for in our libraries. Anything but Typical also has a gorgeous cover.
Fats has done a review of Mirror, Mirror – fascinating poetic form – reversibles. I am also a huge fan of Margaret Wild’s writings – and Freya Blackwood’s Look a Book was simply beautiful – I am anticipating that their collaboration would be a thing of beauty.
Thanks for sharing all these.
Freya Blackwood is just divine in my opinion! I am now on the search for more of her books. I just read Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House a few weeks ago. Her illustrations are just beautiful.
So many great books! I didn’t realize that Yates had written another book about that cute dog. I will have to add that to my library. I haven’t read Anything but Typical, but a lot of my girls eat that one up. I will have to read it myself soon. Enjoy your upcoming reads!
What the Book Monsters are reading
Yes, Anything but Typical is a really great read. What grades do you teach? I can see this being such an intriguing read for middle school readers. The Yates title is very sweet. Happy reading!
I am elementary school librarian. We have K-5 in our building. It’s mostly 5th grade girls picking that one up. 🙂
Wow! What a great variety of picture books this week! I’m going to have to check some of them out as I’ve not heard of most of them.
Fourmile intrigues me as well. I’ve also not heard of that one but the cover has me curious and wanting to know more.
Watt Key is a great writer. Big boy appeal. If you haven’t read his book Alabama Moon, I would suggest that title as well.
I loved Hopper and Wilson so so much. I think you’re the first one I’ve seen to have mentioned it! Hope you enjoy Aristotle and Dante as much as I did! I think it’s one of the best YA books of 2012, hands down.
Hopper and Wilson is certainly delightful! I found it by chance at my public library. I am VERY excited to begin Aristotle and Dante.
So many wonderful books! I loved Anything but Typical. Can’t wait to read The Reader – keep seeing it mentioned… someday soon enough! 🙂
The Reader is worth tracking down! Thanks for stopping by! Glad to find another fan of Anything but Typical.
I just loved The Reader. I came across it in my Public Library one day. I just love Hopper and Wilson! It is such a great story about friendship! I’m really interested in finding Dog Loves Drawing. My first grade teachers do a great unit on doodling and drawing. This book would be perfect.
Dog Loves Drawing would be perfect. It really celebrates the wonder of the creative process!