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 novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read! This is always my favourite way to discover what to read next.
Here are my favourite reads of the week:
Gracias Thanks written by Pat Mora and illustrated by John Parra
A dual language book written in Spanish and English. All about gratitude and celebrating all of the moments that make up a wonderful life. I plan to share this with my students before our Gratitude Circle this week. Each page shares a Gracias/Thanks:
For the ladybug that landed on my finger, a little red flying surprise, thanks.
At Our House written by Isabel Minhos Martins and illustrated by Madalena Matoso
A new math inspiring book that I just discovered at the bookstore this weekend. And of course, I had to buy it! A counting book for the older set. How many people in your household? You too can count along like this book – how many teeth, nails, tummies, bones, pieces of hair exist under one roof? Such fun and fully bright and colourful graphics on every page.
At our house we have 40 fingers, 10 thumbs, 50 toes and 20 claws . . . That makes 120 nails to clip every Sunday.
This book begs to become a math project! 🙂
Ook the Book and Other Silly Rhymes written by Lissa Rovetch and illustrated by Shannon McNeill
This title also followed me home from the bookstore this weekend. Perfect for my students as we work on rhymes during Word Work. These little poems are perfectly absurd as they highlight rhyming word families.
I am Id, Id the Kid.
Did you see what I just did?
I hid a Squid under old Sid.
Hello, my Name is Ruby by Phillip C Stead
Little Ruby travels the world introducing herself to the various birds she meets. Brave. Sweet. Determined to make new friends. Ruby is a treasure. A wonderful way to talk about birds around the world.
Rosie Revere, Engineer written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts
This title has a beautiful lesson – our creative risks are mere steps to success but the road may be long. The point is to never give up. My students shared thoughtful reviews here.
The Big Wet Balloon by Liniers
I am a huge fan of Toon Tales and admire the diversity represented in their titles and author/illustrators. This little story is based on the author’s own two daughters and is all about the wonder and play that can be experienced by embracing a rainy day. Puddle jumping at its most adorable.
King Pig by Nick Bland
Kind of odd but I like the message – treat others with kindness. Respect is earned not demanded.
Max and the Tag Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
A reassuring and sweet story of a little boy who watches for the moon on his long drive away from Granpa’s house.
Frog and Friends written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Josee Masse
Three short tales in a beginning chapter book series. Well written and engaging. A title early readers will truly enjoy. Delightful and sweet plot lines and interesting characters. So pleased to have discovered this series.
I also read #2 and #3 in the Frog and Friends series. I want to get all of them for my class! Just a lovely little early chapter book series.
I have been reading a holiday book every night to my children as part of a book advent experience. These are the favourites we shared this week:
Reality Boy by A.S. King
A.S. King writes gritty, raw plot lines and characters. No sugar. I imagine if I were a teen reading this, I would really feel like she had captured the voice of the age group better than most writers. This story was completely engrossing. How does a boy who had his very dysfunctional life highlighted on T.V. every week fare as he grows up? The dysfunction remains and now the results of “fame” compound the stress. I was surprised throughout. Both upsetting and wonderful. Characters to root for. I will read anything King writes.
Next up? I have started reading Matched by Ally Condie
There's a Book for That 
At Our House looks phenomenal! I am definitely going to be grabbing that one!
It is very, very interesting and peculiar enough to be really a winner 🙂
Great books on this list! I have Reality Boy sitting in my TBR pile from the library. I think I’m going to start it this week. I love that you’re reading a holiday book every night for Advent! What a lovely tradition.
It has been a tradition we just started this year – we always read many holiday stories but I wanted to start earlier and share one every evening. The kids are loving it!
I need to read more by A.S.King. I just picked up Everybody Sees the Ants this weekend and will be starting that one soon. You have a great variety of picture books here. I was intrigued by Rosie Revere, Engineer. I will have to look for that one.
A.S. King is phenomenal in my opinion. Enjoy Everybody Sees the Ants. Loved that title. Rosie Revere is a sweet little story and fantastically illustrated.
Ahh, so many friends have told me to read Reality Boy… soon… soon.
Yes, soon, very soon! Very worth it.
Max and the Tag-Along Moon looks beautiful. A title I will definitely be looking for.
I really enjoyed REALITY BOY. And A.S. King is such a cool person IRL. If you ever get the chance to meet her, don’t pass it up!
I can imagine. She must be. I am an absolute fan!
Amen to A.S. King! I am such a fangirl when it comes to her. I still have to read her debut novel and then I am all out of books from her 😦
http://wp.me/pzUn5-1Lp
I have read all but one of her titles as well. She is pretty darn amazing.
Did you know there’s also Iggy Peck, architect? And look for Star Mother’s Youngest Child, one of our favorite Christmas stories. I just got out the books, waiting for the grandchildren. Thanks for this one new to me-will find it I’m sure. You add so many to my lists, Carrie-don’t know whether to thank you or not (tehe)! Love the look of that math story too! And, thanks for all your great lists!
I do have Iggy Peck as well! Love both of these. Don’t know Star Mother’s Youngest Child. Love the sound of the title! You’re welcome (or not :-)) for more title ideas! So many books . . .
So many great titles, Carrie! I love Philip C. Stead’s work, and Ook the Book looks like the perfect addition to my library. Thanks so much for sharing!
My pleasure. Ook is a cute little title. I imagine my students will love it!
Some GREAT new titles here for me! So here is my weekly “KNEW-NEW” for you! I KNEW Christmas Magic – LOVE this book and the illustrations do me in! Also KNEW Hello My Name is Ruby – a gentle gem. NEW for me is Ook – this one looks great! Perfect for my poetry unit! Also NEW is the Big Wet Balloon – looks like a great Visualizing book! At Our House – I am going to recommend this to our TL! I am already excited about Rosie after reading your students reviews of it! Thanks for another great list!
My pleasure! Rosie is a wonderful one! The kids certainly had lots to say about it. I just picked up a few of these titles after spending hours at Kidsbooks on Saturday shopping for a donor. So many great books to discover!
Wow, what a stellar recommendation for AS KIng. Haven’t read any of King’s novels yet – I admire you for getting into those gritty themes. I have Asher’s 13 reasons why and I hesitate as I am sure it would be heartbreaking. I’ve seen this Jon Muth christmas book. It’s a beauty. Will definitely check out Rosie Revere. My Name is Ruby sounds like a winner. 😉
Hi Myra. I think A.S. King should go on your list. I loved Everybody Sees the Ants. But Ask the Passengers also amazing. The Jon Muth Christmas book is so lovely. So many wonderful titles out there for the holidays.
Awe, little Ruby looks so precious. I’m going to request that one from the library so I can read it aloud 🙂
Have a nice week!
Thanks Nicole. Ruby is pretty sweet.
Rosie Revere, Engineer looks great! I haven’t read any AS King, but that’s mostly because I know I can’t bring them to my class (I teach upper elementary). I do need to carve aside some time to read just for me, though.
She’s a great YA author to delve into!