It’s Monday! What are you reading?
I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This week I have two.
First, this little reader who needed some help with new shoes. But, you see, he found a book he wanted to read and couldn’t help with the shoes because he HAD to read the book! Thankfully, Miriam also puts #booklove above all else and helped him out! 🙂 She tied laces and got to listen to silly poems!
And in honour of all of the Caldecott titles we have been reading, I have to share this photo of 3 girls taking in the amazing illustrations of past winners. This bookshelf has been very popular.
So exciting to enter into #MockCaldecott territory for #classroombookaday Lenny & Lucy was particularly charming in my room. The children adored it.
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:
Cover Reveal: Dario and the Whale – to be released in March 2016
Celebration: Mock Caldecott Moments
Books I loved:
Toys Meet Snow written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
I have to confess I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book – just from the cover. But, oh how I was wrong. I loved the quiet magic of winter snow and exploration. And how incredible are the different perspectives shared by each character. I can see that this would have been a book my own children would have requested over and over when they were younger. A perfect book to gift.
What Floats in a Moat? written by Lynne Berry and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Silly. Full of science and what happens if . . . ? And Matthew Cordell! Such fun. Would love to read this aloud to kids! I actually giggled just reading it myself.
A Pet for Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Fly Guy in picture book form. It works!
Use Your Imagination by Nicola O’Byrne
Children love fairy tale twists and anytime the bad guy might get outsmarted. This book was a fun read aloud!
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad
So beautiful. The story, the illustrations, the inspiration. Wow.
Green is A Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors written by Roseanne Greenfield Thing and illustrated by John Parra
This is a gorgeous book of colours. Colour, culture, family, traditions. Just wonderful.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Isn’t it interesting how books read at certain times hit us in different ways? This book came to me just as I am in the middle of worry about a student I know. A student who told me that she wishes for more food. Food insecurity is always a reality for the children that I teach but sometimes I worry more than other times about particular children. A child should not be worried about hunger, about a home, about being able to stretch out on a bed. The existence of Crenshaw makes a lot of sense and, at the same time, none at all. Beautifully written by Applegate. I found this to be quite an emotional read.
I am currently reading The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:
2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 62/80 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 412/415 books read
#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 71/100 titles
Diverse Books in 2015: 48/50 books read
There's a Book for That 
I wasn’t sure about Toys Meet Snow either. I wasn’t sure about how the toys from the chapter book series would translate into a picture book. It was a sweet story, though. I’ll have to check out a Pet for Fly Guy. It looks like that will be one my readers would enjoy.
Definitely a sweet, calm story.
I have one of the Toys chapter books but haven’t read it yet. It’s even a signed copy! Maybe this month. Despite my resolution to read only what I want without trying to meet goals or finish challenges, I have a feeling I will be trying to pad my reading numbers for the year with lots of graphic novels and short chapter books. Old habits die hard! My husband just finished Crenshaw and had mixed feelings–loved parts of it, other parts not so much. Given the topic, it’s not one I’ll want to read aloud to my son but definitely one I want to read on my own! I just bought Swan but haven’t read yet. Love that cover though!
Swan is stunning. There were a few parts of Crenshaw that gave me pause. But don’t want to give away spoilers. We could chat when you are done.
I love the photos of the children reading. The one with Miriam tying shoes is ever so precious.
The cover of Swan is so gorgeous I think I want to swoon. I’m put a hold on it from the public library. Interesting comments about Crenshaw. When I was reading Rabbit Ears this week I thought of some of the children from your school and others.
I need to read Rabbit Ears – just pulled my copy off the shelf. Isn’t that a cute photo? Captures so much.
I’ll definitely look for What Floats In A Moat, always looking for funny books for the grand-girls. As for Crenshaw, I think we never know what kind of world some students live in, and I thought this showed how they make up a world in order to survive. I’m always sorry to hear about a child who’s hungry, must be hard for you even more, Carrie. And, I loved Toys Meet Snow, a surprise because I couldn’t imagine how it could work, but it did!
Linda, the hunger issues are always hard to know about. In children, in this very wealthy city, it is just so wrong.
Crenshaw really can be an emotional read. I hope your student gets what she needs.
Toys is a book that I enjoyed after reading it out loud. The first time I read it, I thought it was ok. It wasn’t until I shared it with an audience, did I really appreciate it.
We are working on that getting what she needs piece. I haven’t read Toys aloud but heard from the Grade 1 teacher that it is wonderful.
I just sold Swan again yesterday. Beautiful book to gift, for sure.
No kidding! I think it is a perfect gift book – might buy it for my niece actually
Carrie, you always have great books on your list! What Floats in a Moat is going in my shopping cart tonight and Fly Guy! I read Toys Meet Snow this week too. And I loved Crenshaw and Swan.
Hi Laura – thanks! Happy reading to you this week!
Carrie – That picture of the student reading while having his shoe tied is priceless – What a community of readers you have created. We also love the idea of having a shelf of past Caldecott’s out this time of year – What a great way for students to compare and contrast texts.
I feel like we are becoming a community of readers! So exciting! Our Mock Caldecott unit is so enjoyable.
Maybe my favorite-ever reading photo.
It is pretty precious!
Isn’t Julie Morstad just a wonderful illustrator? I just have to pick up everything she does, I love her elegant, whimsical style (and she’s a hometown hero, yay Vancouver!!).
So wonderful! And it is kind of great that she is from Vancouver!!
Crenshaw is on my to-read list. Although I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t even read The One and Only Ivan yet – perhaps I should begin with that Applegate title first? 🙂 I really have to pick up Swan soonest – hope you enjoy the rest of your reading week! Love the photo of the boy who was too enamoured with poetry that he couldn’t tie his shoes! Sounds like me!
Well I am afraid I will have to insist that The One and Only Ivan is a MUST MUST read! And yes, this photo is pretty adorable!
Love Toys Meet Snow & Swan! They were part of a set of new picture books my classroom received from Sophie Blackall. They are very popular! I read a digital ARC of Crenshaw and enjoyed it a lot. I haven’t gotten it for my classroom yet, but I’m thinking about it. I’m sure the subject would hit pretty close to home for a lot of my students.
It is a subject that hits very close to home. And hence, hard but a mix of emotions come up.
I love Green Chile and Crenshaw! I’m glad you loved them both though I am sorry that Crenshaw hit home in that sad way 😦 I’m also a fan of Fly Guy, so I’d love to read the one you shared.
Happy reading this week, and thank you for sharing your Mock Caldecott journey with us 🙂
My Mock Caldecott journey continues in the best of ways. So fun!