It’s Monday! What are you reading?
I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. I love this scene from buddy reading. Notice how the little K is leaning right in with my Grade 3 student learning about sharks. I adore this photo as it captures so much.
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. It’s the best way to discover what to read next.
On the blog:
Yes, I have been blogging! 🙂
In honour of Picture Book Month: Twenty Books that Capture the Essence of Childhood
For #nfpb2015 Nonfiction on my radar: Winter 2015
My #celebratelu post this week honours the progress and positive in my classroom: Celebration: What’s Working
Books I loved:
There are quite a few because I did some picture book therapy. Anyone else do this? Often? I have a feeling I am not the only one who has figured this out!
I highly recommend “Stand in a bookstore, read some picture books, giggle, take some home” therapy #workseverytime
— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) November 22, 2015
I made some great progress on my nonfiction reading:
Toad Weather written by Sandra Markle and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
This book is FANTASTIC! I love much about it – starting with those wonderful polka dot boots on the cover! This is a fictionalized account of an actual toad crossing that really, truly happens every year in Pennsylvania. Markle shares a beautiful story about this pretty amazing natural phenomenon and the way that people become part of the story (in a good way thankfully!) But, this story has some rich messages beyond a fascinating story. I love that it reminds us to notice and experience the natural world no matter what the weather, no matter what our mood.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music written by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael López
Gorgeous. Inspiring. Seriously, these colours. I loved everything about this book!
Flowers are Calling written by Rita Gray and illustrations by Kenard Pak
I particularly loved Pak’s illustrations here. Learn all about the colours, shapes and unique aspects to flowers and just who interacts with them (and why and how).
And I read some incredible picture books:
Please, Open this Book! written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
This is one of the most clever follow up titles ever. First read and appreciate Warning: Do not Open this Book! You could just read it on your own, but I recommend experiencing it as a read aloud with a group of eager listeners. And then, comes this one. I giggled multiple times at the bookstore and of course, brought it home with me. Cannot wait to share all of its amusing and interactive pages with my class tomorrow. Love the mushy yellow banana.
Little Miss, Big Sis written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Sometimes becoming an older sibling is eagerly anticipated and quite a beloved experience. This title captures just that.
Where are my Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
An entertaining reading message. Favourite books are amazing. And everyone (everyone!) needs picture books!
Something Extraordinary by Ben Clanton
Okay, this is a book I love. It speaks to wild wishes, big possibility and the amazing of the simple and natural. Love, love, love.
Dear Yeti by James Kwan
Charming and adventurous. Two explorers set out in search of a yeti. told through a series of letters. Great mentor text for writing.
Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato
These Little Elliot titles seem like they should be just too sweet and not quite work. But instead, they are absolutely sweet and completely capture the reader. No overly sugary after taste. Just big breath, full heart moments. Well done Mike Curato, you have something amazing figured out.
Miss Hazletine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats written by Alicia Potter and illustrated by Birgitta Sif
For the cat fan. For the extra timid. For the reader who appreciates inspired courage and stepping out of your comfort zone. Delightfully quirky.
And the amazing YA novel . . . Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
I am such an absolute fan of Schmidt. He regularly knocks me over while at the same time offering up such grounded, beautiful stories. This was an early morning read and cry book. I finished it all at once because how could I possibly put it down? Beautiful. Hopeful. Heartbreaking. A reminder that we all need each other and that family is about who is in your corner.
Up next? I continue reading MosquitoLand by David Arnold because other reading ended up calling to me. Happy to be back into this title.
Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:
2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 61/80 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 390/415 books read
#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 70/100 titles
Diverse Books in 2015: 45/50 books read
There's a Book for That 
I loved Toad Weather, too, was on a hike once a long while ago, and the spring peepers evidently had just hatched. They just about covered the path-delightful to see. I need to find Flowers Are Calling, and that Gary Schmidt book. He is a wonderful writer. Have fun with those sweet students this week, Carrie. Love that buddy picture.
It is a pretty adorable photo isn’t it? What an incredible experience that must have been on your hike Linda.
I agree completely with your comments on Little Elliot. Yes they are sweet, but there is enough reality in them to keep them just right. I’m adding a lot of books to my Goodreads list these days because I must read all these Canadian titles for book club. My must read list for next year is going to be ominous.
Books, books, books – aren’t we lucky there are so many amazing titles? Even though at times it does seem kind of overwhelming!
I can’t decide whether to read Illuminae, Dumplin’ or Orbiting Jupiter as my last YA book of the year!
Orbiting Jupiter is a fast read!
I love your observation about Little Elliot. I felt this way especially about the first book–ought to be too sweet and not quite work but instead it was perfect. And a big yes to picture book therapy! Flowers Are Calling has the most gorgeous cover. I’m a huge fan of Miss Hazeltine and her cats. Sif’s illustrations are perfect. Margarita Engle’s books are a big book gap for me–must do something about that! Hope you have a lovely week of reading!
Picture Book therapy is pretty incredible. Although mine often tends to get pretty expensive . . . I really like Sif’s illustrations generally.
I feel like I need a good cry over a novel – I have to check out Orbiting Jupiter. Will pin this so that I don’t forget. So many wonderful have-to-find picturebooks yet again from this post, dear Carrie. Thanks so much. Lovedlovedloved Drum dream girl – Margarita was so kind to send me a proof copy, and I absolutely adored it.
Drum Girl Dreaming is particularly beautiful – I agree Myra! And Orbiting Jupiter is just, wow. I love Schmidt’s work.