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. The best way to grow your TBR list!
My favourite picture books of the week
If You Listen written by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Stefano Vitale
How do you know someone is with you even when they are not physically there? A little girl needs reassurance from her mother about how to cope with missing her Dad who is no longer with her. Did he pass away? Has he left the family? It isn’t clarified. The important aspects of the story are how to deal with loss, grief and acceptance of love (whether immediate or far away). First published in 1980 and redone in 2002 with these gorgeous illustrations.
Once Upon a Balloon written by Bree Galbraith and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
An intriguing story about imagination, sibling dynamics and an act of kindness. This title explores the land of “what if” and the power of belief just as much as it celebrates the story telling whims of an older brother who knows he has a captive audience in his younger sibling. The ending brings an entire other aspect to this story and allows the reader to think about what it is to be kind and compassionate.
Awesome Book of Love! by Dallas Clayton
Love, love, love. Not any one kind in particular but simply love that is huge and all encompassing. My favourite line?
“or just being around when the others have gone or about letting go when you want to hold on.”
A true celebration of love.
Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Set by the lake in Tanzania, a mother speaks this lullaby to her child as they see father off in the morning and greet him again at the end of a busy day. Vividly illustrated. A story of routine, daily chores and family love.
Tippy-Tippy-Tippy Splash! written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Candace Fleming has such fun with language in this story of Mr. McGreely and his annoyance with the rabbits that make him so angry. Always trying to better these “wily twitchwhiskers” Mr. McGreely finds himself always outdone. Finally, he figures out a way to work with rather than against these “flop eared” foes. Silly and fun, a sequel to Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
Moonday by Adam Rex
Absolutely odd. Stunning illustrations. It will either work for people or it won’t. The cover enchanted me and I felt persuaded to come along on Rex’s imaginative journey asking, “What if the moon ended up perched in your backyard?”
Samsara Dog written by Helen Manos and illustrated by Julie Vivas
Not necessarily a picture book for younger children. Emotional and thoughtful. Based on Buddhist concepts of Samsara and Nirvana, this story tells the tale of a dog who lives many lives, learning and growing in each of them. Finally, he lives the life that allows him to feel deeply, to know much and to give fully.
Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill
Amazing nonfiction – Shackleton’s story of the Endurance’s attempted voyage to Antarctica. Uniquely illustrated by Grill. This book is ironically a book about exploration that needs to be explored for its every detail. Read this aloud to my children (who are eleven) and we were all captivated. I had to own this book as soon as I heard about it and was in no way disappointed.
I finished two novels and am now avidly reading Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan
Completed:
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
This was a #MustReadin2014 title
Vulnerable. Beautiful. Sad and full of grief while at the same time magical and full of hope. What a story.
Nightingale’s Nest by Nikki Loftin
I don’t know where to start with this book. The reader must suspend belief and be transported by the sweet song of a young girl and the power of a beautiful voice to heal so much that is wrong. A book full of many examples of choices with huge consequences. Hauntingly beautiful. A story about the power of grief to overwhelm and surround us. Full of so many different kinds of moments- worrisome, sweet and lovely, angst filled. Upper middle grade. Highly recommended.
Next up? After finishing Golden Boy, I plan to begin A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.
Reading Goal updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 38/100 novels complete
Goodeads Challenge: 249/650 books read
#MustReadin2014: 16/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 63/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
An expensive post to read, Carrie. Nightingale’s Nest went into my cart. Ophilia has been on my list, although I think we have that one. Loved the line about love and I think Once About a Balloon may be a great addition to a couple of our character education units. I can’t wait to read what you think of Golden Boy–that book has stayed with me all year.
Golden Boy is just . . . wow. So well written and so heartbreaking. Incredible. Nightingale’s Nest is a truly beautiful read. I hope that you enjoy it!
The picture books are all new to me, Carrie. I have Ophelia and NN on my TBR list. I got an ARC of Golden Boy at NErDcamp last summer and have yet to read it. I need to get to it!! A Monster Calls is a powerful read.
Some of these picture books are older titles. A few I discovered on various #IMWAYR lists Golden Boy is a MUST read. I am more than half way through and can’t stop thinking about it. I think you will love it. But it is upsetting.
I loved If you Listen too… Tippy-Tippy-Tippy Splash! – can’t wait!! 🙂 thanks for the review. Loved Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy… Shall look forward to Nightingale’s Nest, I’ve been curious about this one…
I think it will make a strong impression – I was completely lost in the story (Nightingale’s Nest)
Loved Ophelia, hope it continues to receive lots of love, Carrie. I would like to get to Nightingale’s Nest. It sounds wonderful. And the picture books went on my list too, especially If You Listen-sounds great, too. Thanks much for all the titles!
You will love Nightingale’s Nest Linda. I can almost guarantee it! So beautifully written. If You Listen is powerful – full of images and wisdom.
Once Upon a Balloon has already made a second appearance on IMWAYR posts. I have to look for it. Yay, for Ophelia. I hope you’re reading A Monster Calls with the beautiful illustrations.
Yes, the copy I have has all of the illustrations. Looks so incredible. I just haven’t had a copy in hand at same time as have felt in the right mood emotionally – I know it is going to knock me over.
As Melanie said, an expensive post to read! I want ’em all!. Shackleton’s Journey looks especially interesting – we have Jennifer Armstrong’s book on the Endurance, and this may be a lovely companion book. Thanks for sharing today!
I think Shacklelton’s Journey is a must have. My children had so many questions and we LOVED the detailed illustrations.
I always love your variety! Margie wrote about Shackleton’s Journey and now you’ve given high ratings too. My library does not have it so I guess it will have to be a purchase… I have Nightengale and Ophelia… just need time to read them 🙂
I think it is worth purchasing. A simply stunning book. I hope you get to these two novels. I loved them both a lot.
I loved that you also shared Once Upon a Balloon this week! SO did I! I’m fascinated by the story of Shakelton’s adventure so am very excited to find this one. Lala Salama also looks beautiful and I love the sound of Nightengale’s Nest too. Moonday didn’t really work for me – I loved the illustrations but it was just a little too odd! Hope you enjoy your bonus day off today!
You will love Nightingale’s Nest – just beautiful but emotional – couldn’t stop worrying about the characters whenever I put it down. Moonday is certainly odd. I found it interesting but it didn’t speak to me like I thought it might after seeing that cover. Still interesting . . .
I must get my hands on Samsara Dog. It looks like an amazing book. I’m a sucker for dog books, what can I say?
An emotional read, warn you now. It was a true find at the public library!
Sibling dynamics and kindness in the same book? Is that possible?? We have lots of dynamics in our house but no kindness! Love the cover too… My son and I are halfway through Shackleton’s Journey. I need to get back to it. I think the illustrations are fairly mesmerizing! I am looking forward to reading Ophelia and Nightingale’s Nest this summer. A Monster Calls is a deeply affecting story. I think you’ll like it. Hoping to find several of the other PBs you feature at the library this week, as they all look good to me–as usual!
Shackleton’s Journey has so much to it. I love the history and the adventure element. Of course, I am so intrigued by those who wanted to venture into such uncharted territory. I look forward to hearing what you think of Nightingale’s Nest. Such beautiful writing.
My husband is beginning to hate me and my amazon boxes; I’m sending him your email address. I love Patricia MacLachlan and am starting to learn so much about other cultures from your picture book shares. Thank you!
Hi Kimberley – To you, so pleased that you found some titles of interest. To your husband, I have nothing to do with it! 🙂 I am also happy to hear that you are finding some books about other cultures here. I am really trying to read more diversely and find books that my students absolutely need to hear.
Wow! so many great picture books. Samsara’s Dog sounds like a great companion book to A Dog’s purpose. I’ve put Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy as an audio book on hold at the VPL. What do you think? Will it work?
I think so. Of course depends on who narrates it. I would love to have the story read to me if that helps! It is quite wonderful.
I loved Golden Boy and A Monster Calls both for different reasons. Samsara’s Dog and Shakleton’s Journey are going on my TBR.
Enjoy! I am loving Golden Boy. Can’t wait to get back to it later.
I see familiar titles here! I featured If you listen and moon day for our reading theme several months back, so I’m glad that the books found you too! I just borrowed Ophelia from the library and really looking forward to reading it. I thought it would be a good companion material to A Snicker of Magic which I absolutely adored. I would have to find Shackleton’s Journey – it sounds beautiful, and Nightingale’s Nest too! And I just found out that we do have Nightingale in our library – even more awesome! Will definitely add Lala Salama to my multicultural text-set and pinning it on my Pinterest Board now so I won’t forget – the book cover looks beautiful.
Yippee – enjoy Nightingale’s Nest. Such a book! And yes, isn’t Lala Salama gorgeous? Thanks Myra
Carrie,
So sorry I am a day behind this post. I was feeling a bit under the weather last night, but I am back in action today! I was sucked in by the beautiful colors of these book covers. Visiting your blog always makes me feel the same way as I do when I walk into a library/bookstore. I just want to grab all of the books and read them.
I hope you enjoy your reading week!
Thanks for such a lovely comment Ricki! I plan to get lots of reading done this week. Lots of great books everywhere I look.
As usual, my trusty little notebook is given a few more titles to hold 🙂 Once Upon a Balloon sounds great-you really know how to hook someone! I have a new Shackleton graphic novel, and the book you shared about Shackleton looks gorgeous! I will certainly be reading it to compare. I love having companion books.
Have a great week!!
I agree – companion books make the learning so much richer! This Shackleton title really is fantastic.