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. You are guaranteed to find something new to add to your list.
I didn’t get as much reading finished this week, but books were certainly on my mind. Over the last week and a half, I have published a blog series about using more nonfiction books in the classroom called Teaching with a Passion for Nonfiction books. It is a four part series. This link takes you to the fourth post and if you are interested, you can follow the rest of the links there to visit the other posts. I teach a Grade 2/3/4 class so the book suggestions and strategies are geared toward a late primary classroom. If you are looking to add more nonfiction titles in your teaching, some of the ideas might be helpful. I welcome any feedback.
My favourite picture books of the week are a mixture of fiction and nonfiction titles.
Mogie: The heart of the house written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by Marc Rosenthal
A very special book about a dog that is perfectly placed to connect to the children who need him most. This book is based on the real-life Mogie, a Labradoodle who lives at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston.
Naked! written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
If this book had existed when my children were younger, we would have had to read it over and over and over! Running around naked is pure joy for toddlers and this book perfectly captures the enthusiasm for the sensation of racing about the house without a thing on!. Delightful.
Following Papa’s Song by Gianna Marino
Gorgeous whales. And I have a thing for beautifully done whales in picture books. Dreamy illustrations and a sweet story for younger listeners. I was so lost in the pictures, I had to go back and reread the story.
One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley
I really like all of the titles Barbara Kerley has published through National Geographic – the photographs of people around the world are always spectacular. But I think this book is my absolute favourite. Maybe it is the simple aspect of showcasing the daily routines that many of us share – all a little different in different places but yet, so much the same. The back pages have additional information about each photograph. I can see sharing a photo a day with students. It would spark so much discussion and reflection.
Hello World! Greetings in 43 Languages by Manja Stojic
Illustrations with big kid appeal. Literally how to say “hello” in 43 languages – each page a smiling child and a greeting with a pronunciation guide. Of course, I tried them all!
Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera and John D Ivanko with words of wisdom from Fred Rogers
Another fascinating book full of photographs of children all over the world. This one focuses on the concept of neighbourhood and community. A map in the back lets children locate all of the places mentioned in the book.
The Worm by Elise Gravel
Another title in the Disgusting Critters series. Really silly. Very amusing. And full of information. Will lead children off to find out even more and then back to read and reread. And giggle.
Look Up! Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate
I read this book by the river after a long hike through the forest. All I could hear were shouts from my children and their friends as they played in the water and the sound of birds. Could it have been more perfect? Don’t think so. So much to learn in this book. Written in conversational, humorous style.
I also finished
Winger written by Andrew Smith (YA)
This book was just so very good. Although, I finished it and couldn’t function properly for hours. Raw. Funny. Honest. Beautiful. Made me numb. Buying a copy for my son to read when he is a little older because I want him to meet Ryan Dean West. If this character instantly materialized in front of me, I would adopt him. What a kid. Such a story.
Up Next? I am reading Circa Now by Amber McRee Turner
Reading Goal updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 54/100 novels complete
#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 92/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
I hope you are loving Circa! That book started my summer reading. Couldn’t have picked a better book!
I loved Naked! I can’t wait to share that book this year. The giggles that will happen….
I am loving Circa. And yes, Naked! will be a giggle inducer absolutely!
I really want to read Winger but I’m scared to since everyone talks about how emotionally gut-wrenching it is.
I am going to seek out One world, One Day because it looks fantastic!
Winger is worth it. The gut wrenching, yes, but it doesn’t sink you and you are more than rewarded with uplifting.
Must add Winger to my TBR list… Love so many of the titles you shared this week! Mogie sounds wonderful, can’t wait to read!
Winger is a MUST read. Really.
Excellent post today and it looks like you are definitely mid lesson planning for the year. I have several of these books in my library but thanks so much for sharing Hello World-Greetings in 43 languages. I have this magnificent wall decor that features what I assume are the pages from the book. I never knew where it came from (here before me) but I have always loved it. They definitely must be from this book.-wait, I just found proof-one of the panels says Hello World. I suppose it was a book that had fallen apart so the previous librarian made wall decor out of it.
How interesting. It is a great book to share – invites lots of participation.
I will look for Hello World, Carrie-must have for school, looks wonderful. My son-in-law prefers to be called Papa, so have bought Following Papa’s Song for him for his birthday. It’s a beautiful book. Thanks for all-will find The Worm, too!
These Disgusting Critters titles would be fun mentor texts for older students. Following Papa’s Song is really a beautiful book.
Winger really is an excellent book. One World, One Day is one of my favorites. I will be looking for Hello World and Be My Neoghbor. Thanks for the titles!
Glad you found some books of interest. Many of them do go well together. And yes, Winger is one of the best YA titles I have read.
I don’t have Winger on my list – but I’m currently being gutted by Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. Sounds like One World, One Day is a great way to share how similar we all are all over the world! (I didn’t really like “At The Same Moment Around The World” )
I finally got another IMWAYR post up myself! I’ve been a terrible blogger this summer. I will check out your NF posts and share them with the primary teachers in my building 🙂
Thanks Maria. Winger is so, so worth reading. I think you will be glad you added it to the TBR pile. Glad to see your blog today!
Am loving your nonfiction series, thanks! We spend the year studying world cultures and geography with my third graders, so I will be checking out your different world-focused books. Love learning about kids in different places!
Thanks so much! A lot of these titles do fit in well with that theme. I want to use some of these titles with my class too.
I started Winger but haven’t made it very far. I really want to get a physical copy of the book–I don’t love reading novels on my devices for some reason. (Professional development books and nonfiction work really well for me in that format.) The writing is superb, of course. One of my students tweeted me last week that Andrew Smith is going to be at NCTE this year and she is super excited. Me too! I also read Naked this week–hilarious! I also made a TERRIBLE mistake googling the title to get an image of the cover for my blog–just googled the word naked and WOW! I will just say that the book cover did NOT appear! I haven’t seen the Disgusting Creatures series, but it looks like a nonfiction series that my Children’s Lit students would love. Will definitely invest in a couple of the books before spring semester. ( teach the course every semester, but fall is fully online so I almost never have a chance to loan out my books. 😦
Oh my goodness, yes, that book title is one we need to be careful about! Andrew Smith is also supposed to be coming to Vancouver in 2015 so I am also keen. You must get a hard copy and then turn off the world and read! Really. Truly. Trust me.
Found a hard copy at the library yesterday. Yay! Planning to get my grades in for the summer Comp class I was teaching and then this afternoon, I am settling down to read!
Now I have even more picture books I want to read! Thank you for sharing them. I especially want to read ONE WORLD, ONE DAY.
So pleased! Happy reading.
Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall.
Looks like an intense title.
I must find out more about this Disgusting Creatures series. Thanks for highlighting The Worm!
They are truly a lot of fun. A great mix of nonfiction with comic style and lots of humour.
I read Winger in one sitting and had the same reaction! I am thrilled that there is going to be a sequel next year! Have a great reading week~Megan
http://wp.me/zUn5
I know! Me too! I marked it as TO Read and will be keeping my eye out.
I have so missed reading your blog as I’ve been lost in my own little world. I’m glad I stopped by today though! I’ve requested Mogie and The Worm to read to my new kiddos. It’s so strange to think about starting at a new school, especially after two years with the same kids. But if there is one thing that will never change, it is the power of read aloud. I look forward to reading tried and true favorites, and will constantly be checking your wonderful blog for new titles! I need to check out your nonfiction titles later! Thanks for all you share with us 🙂
Thanks Nicole. You have a big transition ahead. But you are right the magic of books will ease it all! Thank you for such a lovely comment.
I haven’t read Winger yet, but obviously I need to!
You do. Need to. Really.
Raw is the perfect descriptor for Winger. I completely agree with your review and am glad you shared the same feelings as I did about it.
I NEED to get Naked. My eight-month-old is already obsessed with being Naked, so it seems perfect for him. I put in a request for an interlibrary loan to my library. Thank you!
Oh my goodness. I just reread my post. I wrote that I NEED to get Naked.
Whoops!
Okay this is the most funny thing in my evening! Thanks for the laugh!
🙂 I called it “Naked baby time!”
I am intrigued by Winger…will definitely have to add that to the To Read list, And will have to find a copy of Naked somewhere – I have two girls who never seem to have any clothes on, so I know they will love it!
Naked! does bring a lot of smiles. And yes, Winger is a fantastic title.