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.
The picture books I loved this week include some nonfiction titles. I won’t be posting for Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (away on holiday) so sharing some wonderful nonfiction here today.
Jacob’s New Dress written by Sarah and Ian Hoffman and illustrated by Chris Case
Really a must have title for those of us trying to build a library that represents all of the diversity in our classrooms. This picture book touches on gender non-conforming children and sends a beautiful message: “There are lots of different ways to be a boy.” Little Jacob’s interactions with his parents are emotional as he waits to see their reactions to his requests to wear a dress to school. A brave little character. A must have book.
Mr. Flux written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Matte Stephens
I have said it before – I embrace the odd and quirky in picture books and this title is all about just that. Eccentric, yes. Embracing change, it’s here. A book you will either like or not but worth checking out!
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
I am really not sure how I haven’t read this book. I knew about this book. I have held it in my hand at the library. But, I only finally read it now. Huh? Marla Frazee, my favourite! A book about connections between generations, which I love. So asking again, how did I miss this? Maybe because I needed the perfect summer day to read and savour it. Loved everything about this title – the humour, the boy energy and whims, the awesome grandparents and the big and small adventures.
The Eye of the Whale: A Rescue Story by Jennifer O’Connell
This book made me cry. Just a gorgeous picture book based on a real life rescue. There is magic and hope here.
A Baby Elephant in the Wild written by Caitlin O’Connell with photographs by Timothy Rodwell and Caitlin O’Connell
My students aren’t to read Scientist in the Field titles yet so books like this (written by the author of The Elephant Scientist, a Scientist in the Field title are perfect. Lots of learning about elephants in a book younger students can manage.
In the Trees, Honey Bees written by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Cris Arbo
The illustrations in this book are just incredible. They look almost like photographs. This book reads like a poem with more information on each page so it can be read in many different ways. Lots of learning about bees and how they interact in this title.
I also finished Circa Now by Amber McRee Turner
This is a very special title. Themes of grief, friendship and family are interwoven through a story that makes us believe in magic or at least “meant to be”. This would be the perfect middle grade book club selection. There is so much to talk about.
Next up? I have a large pile of titles to take on my holiday. I am hoping for a book a day! Reading, the ocean and family time! Hurrah!
When packing, the book pile contains the best decisions #bookaday reading ahead! pic.twitter.com/bMCiFucc6U
— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) August 10, 2014
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 55/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 383/650 books read
#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 97/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
We have Jacob’s New Dress in the store. I’ll have to check it out. Circa Now is a book everyone seems to be talking about. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it.
This is an important picture book. I would like our school library to purchase it. Circa Now does have lots of buzz! There’s a reason!
What a delightful collection of books. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Nora – I am now excited to have a week away and a big stack of novels!
Ooh! I’m envious! Enjoy!
Your book pile for your vacation looks excellent. There are some gems in there! Thanks for sharing all these great picture books. I am especially interested in The Eye of the Whale. Thanks also for mentioning the Scientist in the Field books. I am intrigued and need to go look for those. Have a great reading week and have fun at the ocean!
Andrea, I really love the Scientist in the Field titles. I learn SO much – I have been reading them to my own children (Grade 6) – great as read alouds. I showed my class a whale rescue caught on video last year so would love to get this book in our library and share it as a read aloud.
Carrie, you always seem to curate such a lovely collection of books. I have not read Jacob’s New Dress but it sounds delightful. Is it reminiscent of William’s Doll? I plan to check out The Eye of the Whale. My 6th graders spend a lot of time in the oceans during science — seems like a nice tie in. I too loved Circa Now and cannot wait to recommend it to my students this year. Finally, I am jealous you still have a Snicker of Magic ahead of you! Enchanting book! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Beth. I am enjoying hours of reading already – read a bunch on the ferry yesterday! It is wonderful to be able to read for hours!Jacob’s New Dress is in a sense a more modern version of William’s Doll with a child who in his dress is gender non-conforming. It is very well done. The Eye of the Whale is a great story that would spark a lot of discussion.
I’ve seen Jacob’s New Dress a few times now! Circa Now was definitely one of my favorites from this summer. I’m looking forward to book talking that one this fall! I need to see if my library has Baby Elephant. I hope you have plenty of time to read this week, you’ve got quite the stack. Enjoy some ocean reading time!
Thanks Michele – I loved reading last night with the bright moon and the sound of the surf. Just amazing! The Secret Hum of a Daisy is just a great read too!
Definitely going to keep an eye out for Circa Now…always looking for great YA books to draw in those middle school kids! Love the picture of your stack…wish I could get through a book a day but two little ones makes that tough!
Yes, with little ones it is tricky. My kids are now old enough to want some quiet down time everyday which gives me reading time. They also get up a few hours later than me – I squeeze in early a.m. reading before the house is up!
Thanks, love your list this week! Shall look into Jacob’s New Dress, thank you… Can’t wait to read Circa Now… so many people have recommended lately! 🙂 Happy reading to you!
Circa Now is a really great MG read. I loved it. Happy Reading right back at you!
Whew, you have a busy week ahead! I’m happy with BookAWeek at this point 😉
I haven’t seen Circa Now, I’ve added it to my 2014 to read list! Have a wonderful holiday by the sea with your family!
Thanks Nicole – today we had a busy day loading in supplies, etc so just now settling in with a book in the late afternoon – but I always can squeeze in reading before everyone gets up in the morning. I am up with the sun!
Glad you featured Jacob’s New Dress–an important book to include in our classroom libraries for sure and also a good story. I love the little moments between Jacob and his parents. Thanks for the reminder about Caitlin O’Connell’s new book. I love the Scientist in the Field series but can’t yet read them aloud to my kids, so this new book is a must-have for us. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a delight, isn’t it? How I love Marla Frazee. I’ve read this one many times to my kids. My older son can recognize her art anywhere and loves it when I find new books illustrated by her! Enjoy your holiday–and your holiday reading!
Yes, the moments between Jacob and his parents are so special. Emotional. I love Frazee and yes, her style is so recognizable! It would be great if more Scientist in the Field did junior versions of their stories for younger readers – such great stories and amazing photos.
I Hope you have a wonderful holiday, Carrie, & return to good news! I’m happy to say that my library has Jacob’s New Dress & The Secret Hum of A Daisy-love the library! Hope you enjoy A Mango-Shaped Space. It’s been a life-saver for more than one student of mine–big connections. Thanks for all the N-F ideas, always good to hear from you in those.
I can’t even imagine returning to good news but the sides are back to bargaining so stranger things have happened! Sigh. Thank goodness I have ocean, lots of books and downtime with my family! We just had fish and chips on the wharf and a lovely boat ride.
I must read Jacob’s New dress. That looks like one of those books that would get discussed a lot in a children’s lit course.
It’s very well done. The authors themselves have a gender non-conforming child so they capture the emotions perfectly.
Love seeing all that you’ve read. I want to check out Circa Now, A Baby Elephant in the Wild, and The Eye of a Whale. Your vacation stack is intriguing – fun to see some I’ve read: A Great and Terrible Beauty, A Mango Shaped Space, and Where the Heart Is. I just picked up The Hum of a Daisy and I’ve seen Snicker of Magic everywhere. So maybe it’s time to request it. Problem is that my eyes are always bigger than my stomach and then I have to return it because someone else has requested it. I have a list that I call my “I checked that book out once, caressed it, and had to return it before I could read it.”
Oh I have many books that could fit in that category. Often all of my requests suddenly come in at once! But I love the possibilities . . .
Have a wonderful vacation Carrie! And we cannot wait to hear what you think of your book pile 🙂
And thank you for introducing me to Circa Now. Looks beautiful.
Circa Now is a really great tile – I find that I keep thinking about it.
Everyone is raving about Circa Now! I need to read it. I also love odd and eccentric books, so I am surely going to add Mr. Flux to my list. Thank you for sharing both of these! I hope you have a phenomenal week filled with terrific texts. 🙂
I do love to sit and read by the sea so I am feeling very lucky!
Hey there dearest Carrie. You are truly a kindred. I take very careful note of the books I am bringing with me, even on an overnight travel. I also make very careful decisions about which to put in my carry-on luggage (my backpack usually) and which ones I should put in my check-in suitcase. It’s a lot easier though if it’s a long road trip and we’re bringing our own car along, at least that way I am sure that I can bring as many as I wish.
I love the odd and eccentric in picturebooks – the quirky, the off-the-wall, the strange, the surreal. And so I am definitely checking out Mr Flux. I am pinning a few of your titles here. I am still avidly on the lookout for the Scientists in the Field series – any recommendations for the 12-15 year old age group? I am looking for a few titles for my daughter’s summer reading. I know about Marla Frazee’s picturebook – I’ve seen it featured and discussed in depth in a few of the PD texts I read – I definitely have to check that one out – haven’t seen it in our library though, so that’s one for book hunting purposes! I’m excited that you’re finally reading Snicker of Magic – I hope you love it as much as I did.
Myra – I think the Scientist in the Field titles are all ideal for that age. I like reading them as an adult. Depends on her interests – there are many books to choose from – we are currently reading about tree kangaroos and then on to cheetahs. I think there is a website that lists them all.
Oh yeah, Jacob’s New Dress – I doubt if I’d find that one in our libraries here in Singapore, sadly. 😦
Is there a reason for that to do with subject matter?
Oh yes. There has been a great deal of hoopla here about And Tango Makes Three. Fats has posted something on that one.
I’m trying to catch up on a few blogs this morning so I’m a bit late responding to this post! A great collection, as always. The Marla Frazee book is one of my favorites – so glad you have now read it! I saw the bee book in Chapters and almost bought it – LOVE the illustrations. Jacob’s dress – a must for our library. Whale Rescue also looks like one I must get my hands on. Your book pile looks delicious! I would never get through so many books – even on holiday! Circa Now looks wonderful – the goldfish on the cover reminds me of Rules! Have a wonderful holiday!
I don’t always get to all of the books – but I like to have a variety because you never know what mood you might be in or how much it might rain etc. Better too many books than not enough is my philosophy!
I agree with about Jacob’s New Dress. I read it earlier this summer and immediately ordered it for our school library! Thanks so much for the heads up about the rest of these titles. You are always my go to person for picture books!
I am so pleased that you can find some new to you pictures book here. Fun to share some good finds.