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. One of the very best ways to discover what to read next!
I read some odd picture books, some that were not so great and some that were wonderful. Here are those that were wonderful:
The Adventures of Beekle, The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
I love Santat’s style and this book is many shades of wonderful. A little “imaginary friend” goes in search of his person. What could be better? A book about connection and “meant to be”.
Maple by Lori Nichols
A special book about a new sibling, the wonder of nature and the magic of trees – over time and through the seasons.
A Rule is to Break: A Child’s Guide to Anarchy by John Steven and Jana Christy (John and Jana)
Kind of wild and certainly eccentric. Certainly one that would benefit from being discussed. I can see some taking issue with certain pages like one that says: When someone says “Work!”, you say “Why?” But there are others that will win you over:
Speak your Mind!
Listen to the Tiniest Voice.
Go ahead and be Stompy.
Sisters & Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
I never fail to be fascinated when reading a Jenkins/Page title!
Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop
How had I missed reading this book? Living in an enchanted forest, we find Red Knit Cap Girl and her friends. She wants to find a way to reach the moon and have it speak to her. A celebration of quiet, peace and honouring nature.
I also read
Super Lexi written by Emma Lesko and illustrated by Adam Winsor
Author Emma Lesko “is passionate about neurodiversity – a movement that embraces rather than marginalizes diversity in neurological functioning (ADD, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, etc.)” In Super Lexi, a chapter book ideal for primary/early intermediate students, Lesko delivers a well done story, an interesting character and important themes. Lexi experiences the world with some “differences” – she is very sensitive to noise, she reveals her emotions and feelings in some very interesting ways and she needs those around her to be understanding of her phobias and coping strategies. I loved the multiple examples of how Lexi’s parents, peers and teachers are able to give her space and time. I enjoyed Lexi’s voice – the look we get into her thinking and reasoning. Really, I am excited that adults might read this book and that it might impact their thinking about how we treat all children. Children are often much more flexible and accepting of diversity. This would be an amazing class read aloud in a primary room.
Favourite line of the book?
“Only it never would have happened if my grown-ups had just listened to me in the first place.”
An important reminder to be tuned into each child before everything else. Not all children will communicate in the same ways – but they are always showing us the truth.
What’s next?
I am almost finished (and loving) Threatened by Eliot Schrefer. I then plan to read Countdown by Deborah Wiles
Reading Goal updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 28/100 novels complete
Goodeads Challenge: 188/650 books read
#MustReadin2014: 13/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 48/65 complete
Happy Reading to all of you! I will be without internet access next Monday so will share a #IMWAYR post again in 2 weeks.
There's a Book for That 
LOVED Beekle and Maple! Two of my favorites this year! Will have to check out Sisters and Brothers. That’s a new one for me. Countdown is on my list too. Too many glowing comments about its follow up out there! Have a great week!
I think Deborah Wiles is all kinds of brilliant so I am excited to read both Countdown and Revolution. I can see why these titles are 2 of your favourite picture books!
Just when I think I’ve heard of every Steve Jenkins book, out pops another one. 🙂
I can’t wait to read Beekle. It looks like such an endearing read.
A Rule is to Break looks… interesting.
Beekle is absolutely endearing – the perfect word for it. This is an older Jenkins but I just purchased it for our class collection. I so love his books!
I can’t wait to read Beekle!! I have seen it popping up online in various places, and I know it’s going to be a good one 🙂 Probably one to purchase…I need a second income I think…Has spring sprung in your neck of the woods? Hope you have a great week!
A second income for books! What a great idea! How to make that happen is another story . . . Spring has totally sprung! I have tulips out and have been busy in the garden!
Red Knit Cap Girl – a beautifully calm and quiet book. Beekle looks adorable and I’m interested in A Rule is To Break – could possibly fit with instructional mentor texts? Super Lexi looks great – with some important themes for both kids and grownups! As always, your books become my books! Thank you!
A Rule is to Break won’t really fit with anything! It is a book about anarchy! 🙂 It is an interesting one . . . Super Lexi is really well done. I love it because it shares the world of a little girl who does things a little differently and shows us that people can manage being flexible and the world doesn’t fall apart. Important.
The Adventures of Beekle looks like a fun book! Have a great reading week!
Such a cute title. And of course the illustrations are WOW!
Love the idea of Super Lexi and Maple, Carrie. So many books help others learn that people can be different and still interesting and fun and ? Thanks-need to get to Threatened too!
Yes – books that help us learn to recognize that the world is full of many varied people – we can never have too many!
The covers of these books are magical. They lure me in! I will have to get them at the library. The Adventures of Beekle looks especially good!
They say we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but . . . Sometimes, a cover convinces me!
I’m looking forward to reading Beekle. Maple is beautiful. Thanks for sharing about Super Lexi. I will definitely watch for it and the one about anarchy too. Have a great week.
Thanks Crystal. Super Lexi is a great title to read and share with younger readers. I was quite impressed by how Lesko handled this character.
Will miss you next week! I just ordered Beekle yesterday–can’t resist a Dan Santat title, and his books are very popular in my Children’s Lit class this semester. I loved the illustrations in Red Knit Cap Girl–didn’t love the story as much, but it’s one I would like to reread. I read it a couple or three years ago, I think, and I have read so many more picture books since then; I know my tastes have changed. Super Lexi sounds like one I’d like to read aloud to my son. He struggles to be compassionate and understanding with others who are different in any kind of way–I’m guessing that’s partly because he has experienced so little compassion and understanding himself in his life. I’ve completely given up on reading all of Steve Jenkins’s books. Seriously, does the man sleep?? Such a prolific artist. I do have Sisters & Brothers checked out from the library right now and need to get to it!
Red Knit Cap Girl is definitely visually stunning. It is slow and quiet – sometimes I really am in the mood for that. Super Lexi is interesting – I think I might read it aloud in my classroom. I am wondering if my students will identify with any of their classmates and how in our room, everyone gets what they need in terms of how we need to be flexible and make things work for everyone. I have lots of kids with different sensory needs and kids who were prenatally exposed to alcohol/narcotics. So it is all about individual needs in the middle of community! And yes – Jenkins is a worker bee – I am a huge fan!
Thank you for sharing these books with us. We are on the waiting list at the library for Beekle. Can’t wait until it comes in.
Beekle is very adorable. I loved it but think I will love it more sharing it with children.
Another great list of titles, Carrie! I only know Sisters & Brothers, which I love, but I’ll be off to the library tomorrow to find the others. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure – have a great reading week!
The Adventures of Beekle sounds like a book that I would enjoy – finding one’s person and ‘meant to be.’ How awesome is that. It’s the first time I’m hearing of Page and Jenkins so I shall definitely look for more books by them. I’d start with the one you recommended here. Like Elisabeth, I wasn’t too keen on the first red knit cap girl, but perhaps it deserves a re-read. A rule is to break sounds perfect for my activist friends. 🙂 Will definitely try to find that one as a possible gift.
Beekle is a treat. I think you will love it! There are so many fascinating facts in this Steve Jenkins/Robin Page book. Love their nonfiction work!
Your blog is one of my go to places to search for good picture books. I’ve just ordered A Rule Is to Break: A Child’s Guide to Anarchy. As I am running out of money, I put the rest on a list at the VPL – I’ll have to go and read them there before investing in them. I love love love Deborah Wiles. I love her so much I replaced our worn out copies of Each Little Bird that Sings and Love, Ruby Lavender. I’ve got Countdown ordered as a paperback for the school but I think the hardcover is a better cover. Hope you are enjoying your Easter Break.
Thanks Cheriee! We loved our time away and a highlight is that Bea and I each read Countdown! I can’t wait to read Revolution next! I too LOVE Deborah Wiles.