It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult reads! Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read!
I had a little weekend getaway with some friends so my novel reading was put on pause but I found lots of picture books that are very worth celebrating!
Mitchell Goes Bowling written by Hallie Durand and illustrated by Tony Fucile
This book reminds me that Tony Fucile is fast becoming one of my very favourite illustrators. Wow has he captured the hilarity and drama of taking a little intense bowler to the bowling alley. Mitchell is very amusing – competitive (“Battle on!”), intense (“Awahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!) and dramatic (“I’m going home.”) Durand has perfectly depicted a first bowling experience with an energetic four year old and his suave bowling experienced Dad.
Anno’s Hat Tricks written by Akihiro Nozaki and illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno
I found this book (hardcover!) at a second hand store for $1.99 Yippee! Hurrah! I was instantly excited because I am such a fan of Mitsumasa Anno. But . . . I didn’t know what a treat I was in for. This is a math book, a logic book, a fantastic book to talk through numerous thinking puzzles. There are three children: Tom, Hannah and Shadowchild (who represents the reader) who wear different red and white hats. They can see the hats on the other children’s heads but not on their own. Can they figure out the colour of the hat on their head by clues and the colour of the hat on the other children?
Across the Alley written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
It is the 1950s in New York City. Black and Jewish boys don’t mix. But Abe and Willie pay no attention to prejudice as they build their friendship by communicating through their bedroom windows. Baseball, violins and a big lesson in what friendship really can be and how it can inspire others to rethink segregation.
Animals Should Definitely not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett
I first heard about this title thought the Nonfiction 10 for 10 event and so was pleasantly surprised to see this title in a new edition and in the new books section of my public library. I can see this book being well enjoyed in an interactive read aloud session with children as they marvel at the silly pictures that accompany a series of reasons why various animals should not wear clothing.
Kate, The Cat and the Moon written by David Almond and illustrated by Stephen Lambert
I read this book after dinner at friends last night as it was described by my friend as possibly the favourite picture book read aloud in 10 or so years of reading aloud to his children. It is a beautiful book – the text is worth rereading over and over before you even turn the page. Lyrical, full of beautiful cat like images. Kate hears mewing in the middle of the night and heads out to play with a cat visitor but not as a human girl – instead in lithe cat form. Delightful dream like fantasy and some lines to be treasured.
Mrs. Biddlebox written by Linda Smith and illustrated by Marla Frazee
Oh do I adore Mrs .Biddlebox and her grumpy antics! Frazee is SO talented.
Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee Maclean
A lovely introduction to mindful practices for children. A reminder for all of us really to take time to center and notice the small moments that make life so beautiful.
Looking Closely through the Forest by Frank Serafini
I will be using this beautiful nonfiction title before I take my class on a forest walk this spring. Mysterious close up photos of forest treasures that inspire the reader to want to climb right into the book and absorb the textures and sounds and smells that are hinted at through this visual treat.
I also finally got my hands on the latest Bink and Gollie title.
Bink and Gollie Friends Forever written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile.
Not enough pancakes and not enough height but absolutely enough snickering and giggling inspired by this third in the Bink and Gollie series! As one of little girls often says, “Bink and Gollie are the bestest characters for me!”
Next? Hoping to finish Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles this evening and then read Rump by Liesl Shurtliff next!
There's a Book for That 
Mitchell is such a REAL little person! I can just hear the same phrases coming out of my own child’s mouth. Adding Biddlebox to my list because I’m also a Frazee fan and haven’t seen this one!
This is a wonderfully sort of different Frazee – still the style but all kind of darker. Yes, Mitchell is an absolutely realistically depicted little one!
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Animals Should Definitely not Wear Clothing sounds like fun. I’m going to Amazon to check it out next.
Lots of fun – and a fun title to inspire some art and/or writing
Looking Closely Through the Forest is a new one on me–love new nonfiction! Thanks for your tweet to know about your post.
There are many of these Looking Closely titles. I am just beginning to discover and read them. Also one about the shore – aren’t you near a beach now?
I loved Mitchell Goes Bowling! Mitchell’s hipster dad is just awesome. The rest of the books on your list are new to me, and you know what that means: I WANT THEM ALL! Seriously, every single book looks like a must-read to me! Can’t wait to see the new Bink & Gollie–just love that series. Question about the Jo Knowles: should I read Jumping Off Swings first?
Yes, read Jumping Off Swings first. For two reasons – one it is just that great and two, there are references. I have read everything Jo Knowles. Love her! I know what you mean – Mitchell’s Dad is absolutely the coolest! I wanted to go bowling after reading this title!
Carrie! You are possibly oneof the reasons why my Pinterest account is resurrected. I shall definitely be pinning ALL of these picture books. Like you I am a huge Mitsumasa Anno fan. In the interview that I’ve done with Leonard Marcus for our book Beyond Folktales, he mentioned Anno’s delicacy in his artwork and how his being an educator influenced his picture books. Mitchell goes Bowling also looks like a fun book – the illustrations so alive and dynamic! Thanks for sharing all these, Carrie.
Thanks for the comments Myra! I too love Anno – we have three of his other titles but I had never hear of this so was very excited to discover it!So pleased that you found some new to you titles here. 🙂
I actually chuckled out loud at two of your book covers. MITCHELL GOES BOWLING and ANIMALS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT WEAR CLOTHING have such silly and fun covers. I bet kids gravitate toward them. Thanks for sharing these great books and great find with the $1.99 purchase! Nice one!
It’s amazing when a cover can inspire laughter and then you know you still have the entire book to be entertained!
Love the look of Kate, the cat, and the moon. It is by David Almond whom I love, so I’m sure it’s good. Did you know it and Biddlebox are no longer in print, need to be ordered used. So many good books here, Carrie-love the look of Peace Piggie Meditation, too. And I’ve seen the Anno book, like all her others, it’s great. Thanks again for every one!
I didn’t know these were no longer in print – that makes me sad. I read both at a friend’s last night. I always bring books to share when our families have dinner together and they share treasures with me. So now I feel even luckier that I read them! Peaceful Piggie is a great title for classrooms practicing mindfulness!
ANIMALS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT WEAR CLOTHING looks hilarious. Putting that one on hold at the library for sure.
It is very funny! Love that it was first published in 1970!
Thank you, as always, for bringing books to my attention! I just requested Mrs. Biddlebox, Mitchell Goes Bowling and Anno’s Hat Trick-all look awesome for very different reasons! I absolutely adore Bink and Gollie, who can not love them?! Hope you have a great week!
Thanks Nicole! Hope you enjoy these titles as much as I did! 🙂 Happy Reading
Love your mix of books this week! 🙂 Can’t wait to read Mitchell Goes Bowling, my son LOVED the first book, Mitchell’s License!
And I haven’t seen Mitchell’s License and am now on the lookout for that title!
Tony Fucile’s illustrations always seem dynamic. I’ve been noticing lots of meditation books aimed for kids lately.
The MindUp curriculum is becoming more and more widely used as is the focus on self regulation strategies – I think this is why these titles are so common right now.