It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Join Jen and Kellee’s meme and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult reads! A fantastic way to learn about new titles.
It’s report card writing season so my reading has been interfered with . . . But I managed to sneak in some fantastic titles!
In picture books . . . .
I found three new lovely board books for my Kindergarten buddy reading collection:
Northwest Coast Native Animals by Kelly Robinson Students loved the gorgeous illustrations and many connected to art they have seen in their homes and relative’s communities up north. Bright, beautiful and perfect for sharing.
Good Morning World by Paul Windsor A lovely board book that celebrates nature and the world around us. Students have loved sharing this title with their little buddies.
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes I was pleasantly surprised by the stunning colours of the seasons in this story. Such a gentle tale about an old bear dreaming about his days as a cub. Soothing and sweet.
Other picture books I enjoyed:
Ivy Loves to Give by Freya Blackwood I think Freya Blackwood is such a gifted illustrator. I adore her blog. This is a picture book perfect for a story time setting about a little girl, Ivy, who loves to gift things she finds to whoever is near. Often, her gifts don’t quite match the needs of the recipient but her generosity is treasured.
Museum Trip a wordless book by Barbara Lehman This book is about getting lost on many levels – but quite nicely not about lost and being scared. More of an adventure – getting lost in the pictures of mazes quite literally . . .
My two favourite picture books of the week:
Big Wolf and Little Wolf: The Little Leaf that Wouldn’t Fall by Nadine Brun-Cosme and Olivier Tallec Oh how I am coming to adore these two long snouted wolves and their adventures through all that is friendship and nature and love. Devotion. Bravery. Patience. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say that there is much that is simple and celebratory of the wonder and complexity of nature and near the end a moment of pure beautiful.
A Hen for Izzy Pippick written by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Marie Lafrance I confess to falling for this book before I even read it. I loved everything about the cover – the greens, the pluck of the girl and hen marching across the page, the quirky title . . . So I could have been disappointed. But not even close. I adored this book through every page (and it is a longer picture book). This book celebrates what we don’t often encounter in a picture book: honesty and a fierce determination to simply do what is right. Yet, this story is not overly dramatic. It is actually quite amusing and whimsical. We meet Shaina who in protecting a hen that belongs to the illusive Izzy Pippik starts a bit of a chicken invasion in her small village. All the while waiting for the return of Izzy Pippik. This story is inspired by Jewish and Islamic traditional texts.
I also finished two novels:
Clementine and the Spring Trip written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee In my family, Clementine has reached a sort of cult status. Even though we read our first Clementine story way back (five years ago) when my chldren were five, they have not become too old for another Clementine story. Each time, a new book in the series is published, we need to read it! Immediately! We read this story in probably three sit down read aloud sessions and felt like we curled up with our old friend. Many giggles over the mystery of the very unpleasant odour of Bus #7. Can’t wait for the next one!
As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I thought I should at least really like it. But it was simply just “like” Even though the writing is great. . . The storyline is very interesting. The characters have some wonderfully odd elements to them. Yet, nothing pulled at me to keep reading this book. It was like being offered a very nice cup of tea. But I just don’t really like tea – I want my strong black coffee. Lots of adventure and some of it was very dramatic but I never felt on the edge of my seat. A story of a summer trip that goes sideways in every way.
What is on my reading horizon? I just started Torn Away by James Heneghan as a read aloud to my children. I started reading Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan – a young adult novel I knew very little about going in so we shall see . . . I have many books on hold at the library and looks like they might all arrive at once! So I had better get these report cards written!
There's a Book for That 
I wonder how your reading would be like if it has not been ‘interfered’ with by life and its usual routines and chores. Goodness me, lovely picture books and two novels! I would be pinning the picture book titles you have here – I would definitely look for Izzy Pippik. I agree with you about Freya Blackwood – distinctive artwork, don’t you think? You’d definitely know it’s here once you get your hands on a new book. I am intrigued by the Big Wolf book – I should go find that one soon as well. I think I’ve done a review of Barbara Lehman’s museum book when we had our wordless picture book special. there are three other titles you should check out if you’re into museums and wordless picture books – collaboration between sisters Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser: “You Can’t take a Balloon into the Museum of Fine Arts”, “You Can’t Take a Balloon into the National Gallery” and
“You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum” – all beautiful!
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/balloons-and-museums-boston/
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/balloons-and-museums-washington/
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/balloon-and-metropolitanmuseumny/
Thanks for all of these links Myra. I am going to get to them in a few days when I get more of this report card writing behind me. I think you will adore A Hen for Izzy Pippik. Such a wonderful story of community and a self-assured little girl’s resolve.
Those two “favorite” picture books look good, Carrie, and I love Clementine too, also Old Bear is a favorite at my house too. Henkes does things just right! Best wishes for a great end of the year, and finishing the report cards!
Thank you Linda. I don’t adore the report writing – so much seems to be what must be included and doesn’t leave me much room for the celebrating about a child that I want to do. I think I remember your review of Old Bear. Yes, Henkes never gets it wrong!
You had a wonderful pile of picture books. The one that really catches my attention is A Hen for Izzy Pippik. It has an awesome cover! I’m glad you thought the inside was great too. 🙂
I really was drawn by the cover too! And gambled and purchased the book unread. So glad I did. Loved it!
What a lot of wonderful reading you were able to do! I’ll have to put the YA books on my TBR list. Thanks!!
Thanks for stopping by Tara!
How do you always have new picture books that I haven’t heard of and am excited to read??? May have to copy the tradition of curling up with Clementine books, although Patricia MacLachlan inspires similar behavior in our house. Enjoy the end of the year and having report cards behind you.
Clementine is just so easy to fall into. Sweet, funny, quirky and a big emphasis on happy family. Can’t go wrong! Thank you for the report card wishes!
Old Bear is in my pile I just picked up at the library yesterday–love Henkes! And hurray for Clementine. I sent our Clementine and the Family Meeting in with my daughter to share with her teacher and she decided to read it as their last read aloud of the year. I hope it will spur some new Clementine fans in their classroom! I’m going to look for that Big Wolf and Little Wolf title as I really enjoyed the first one. And what a great find in those board books filled with the indigenous art–lovely! Are you close to wrapping up school for the summer?
Clementine and the Family Meeting was my first read aloud of the year! We are now reading Lulu walks the Dogs. A great short novel to finish the year with. Kids love it! I loved this Big Wolf title too. I have heard that the third one isn’t as good. But have yet to find it. The board books with Aboriginal art are really perfect for my room. I have many First Nations students. I don’t finish until the end of June. So still a while!
I am so glad you shared the last Wolf book, now I will enjoy this new one even more! The art is so cool in these books. Of course I can’t wait for the new Clementine book to be added to my collection, I absolutely love Clementine and all her adventures. A Hen for Izzy Pippik looks wonderful. Thanks for another great Monday post!
Can’t go wrong with Clementine! Cannot wait to find out what the name of the new baby is . . . Will not be until the next book likely.
Clementine is very popular at our store. I haven’t read any. A Hen for Izzy Pippick looks interesting too. The cover and illustration reminded me of The Orphan- a Cinderella retelling from Greece.
Clementine is well worth a read! Or a listen. The audio books are fantastic.
I loved A Hen for Izzy Pippik. What a great story!