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.
Picture book love overflowed. Ten favourites from the week:
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
I will admit that I coveted this book from first just the title and then, once revealed, the cover. Yes, of course, because I adore Marla Frazee but also because . . . what a cover. It hints at mystery and strange happenings and . . . ? This book could have been so many stories. If you haven’t yet experienced it, don’t you have numerous story lines floating about in your head? It surprised me with its tenderness, the sweet, the kind. All the more amazing of course, because it is wordless. I cannot wait to experience this next through children’s eyes when I share it with my class.
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
My, my, my, my. What a package of brilliance and wonder and beauty. A quiet forest walk in the dark with highlights of little bits of magic. Amusing. Beautiful. Wow. And wordless . . . Yet, I imagine this in children’s hands and all I hear is natter, natter, natter.
The Best Book in the World by Rilla Alexander
All about the journey that books take us on – how it is somewhat endless and circular and full of all kinds of wonderful.
Catching Kisses written by Amy Gibson and illustrated by Maria Van Lieshout
Love these illustrations in a very big way. Gorgeous visually all around. A book that is comforting, soothing and about the power of connection.
Once Upon a Memory written by Nina Laden and illustrated by Renata Liwska
Ode to memories and inspiration for dreaming up more. The perfect book to inspire a list, a discussion, a story . . .
Rock-A-Bye Room written by Susan Meyers and illustrated by Amy Bates
I found this at the library and instantly wished I could read it multiple times to a near sleep toddler – it is the perfect bedtime book. If I find it in board book version, I will buy multiple copies to gift to new parents. Just lovely all around.
And Two Boys Booed written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
I love books that capture what it is like to be courageous in everyday moments. This is one of the best.
The Rain Stomper written by Addie Boswell and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
I am not really sure how it is that I haven’t celebrated this book before – considering it is all about finding ways to embrace the rain and I live in the rainy Pacific Northwest. But now that I have, let me rave. This is all about powerful language, great energy and the magic of a community of children and a rainy day. Delightful.
Ladybug Girl and Bingo by David Soman and Jacky Davis
Every time I read a LadyBug Girl title, I become more enamoured with these lovely stories and the incredible illustrations by Soman. In this title, Ladybug Girl has some big time camping adventures with her beloved dog Bingo. Of course, adventures can seem big or small according to your perspective on the world . . .
29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy written by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Lisa Brown
I know for sure that some people will just not like this book. It is odd. It doesn’t necessarily make sense. It can be considered confusing. For me though, it is quite brilliant. Takes me right back to being a child and imagining wild and wonderful things about perhaps the most ordinary of places. Or perhaps not . . .
I also read a sweet little beginning chapter book: Squishy McFluff The Invisible Cat by Pip Jones and illustrated by Ella Okstad
Love the rhymes and often I don’t like rhymes. This rhyming text allows for a smoother read and predictability with the text. Lots of naughty here. Is it our darling Ava up to no good? Or her sneaky invisible kitty?
Next up? I have been switching novels around a little bit and have now settled into The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 62/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 441/650 books read (currently 40 books behind which is actually progress! Last week it was 54!)
#MustReadin2014: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 107/65 complete
There's a Book for That 
You definitely read some beautiful picture books. Rilla is going to do an event with us in October so that should be fun. I’m glad there’s a new Ladybug Girl which I think will be a hit for Halloween but the message is great year-round.
I love all of the publications coming from Flying Eye Books. Hearing lots of buzz about your bookstore lately.
What a great list of children’s books. I have love Nina Laden. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Nina Laden does do wonderful books, agreed!
Every now and again, picture books will sound good to me, but in general, it’s a good thing I read mostly middle grade. I have never been fond of wordless picture books, especially. What a great variety of things you’ve read this week!
We all have out book “things” 🙂
The Farmer and the Clown seems to be the book of the week. Must get my hands on a copy.
I was very intrigued by the cover and then delighted by the book.
LOVE Once Upon a Memory… looking forward to so many you mentioned this week…
Wonderful. Happy reading!
What an amazing collection of picture books! The Lemony Snicket one really appeals to me, I do love his quirkiness.
It is definitely odd but made total sense to me. Hmm . . .
I still haven’t seen any of the Ladybug Girl books. I’d never even heard of them until I saw them on Earl’s blog sometime in the last few months. Really need to find those books, as I loved the new Soman title. All a book really needs for me to want to read it are these words: “Pictures by Sophie Blackall”–and I’m in! So her book with Judith Viorst is a must-read for me. I am hoping my copy of Farmer & Clown arrives today. I have been indulging in an extra bit of picture book purchasing, since of course I need all the titles with Caldecott buzz for the Mock Caldecott we’ll do in Children’s Lit in January! Basically I want to read every book here. Off to add to my Goodreads list….
Picture book purchasing is a wonderful indulgence. I found some titles on sale at a local bookstore this weekend and with a partial pay cheque on the horizon, I had to bring a few home with me. Very excited to be book shopping! I, too, love Blackall’s illustrations. Ladybug Girl titles are for younger readers but very cute. I do so appreciate Soman’s illustrations.
I think it is great you are doing different reading challenges. How do you find time in your schedule to read that many books? Do you plan it out at the beginning of the week or do you just read whenever you have down time?
I read whenever I have any time at all! Folding laundry, waiting in line, at the library, over coffee . . .
Love your excitement – to be back in the classroom, to be sharing books! Your list this week is amazing…such fun looking titles, I can’t even begin to choose one!
That’s why I had to share ten!
Just called my favorite indie bookstore to see if they have Rock-A-Bye Room. They do. Looking forward to getting some of the others from the library. Big list to request from your post today!
So great. Hope you enjoy these titles as much as me.
I am totally requesting Flashlight and The Best Book in the World right now. I get the best books from you Carrie!
So pleased that you found some titles that look interesting!
I loved Flashlight – went back for several rereads! I read The Farmer and the Clown this week too. It surprised me with its tenderness!
Both of these titles deserve multiple rereads.
We are such Marla Frazee fans. Can’t wait to read The Farmer and the Clown
Very different than other Frazee titles because it is wordless. I adored it.
Quite the collection this week! I am intrigued by the new Lemony Snicket, as I think he is hilarious. I was less impressed by Flashlight. It felt like an exercise of “look how clever I am!” without a story or connection that made sense to me. Will be curious to see what the kids think of it.
I think Flashlight will be a lot of fun for kids to pore over in a buddy reading situation. Lots to talk about.
There is a reason why I shouldn’t miss any Monday reading post. I just pinned a few titles here. Love the Frazee and Blackall new picturebooks, will definitely look for them. Lovely titles, as always, dear Carrie. 🙂
Thank you Myra. It is so wonderful when favourite authors and illustrators create new books!