It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Each week I share a reading photo of the week. Summer = no classroom photos of engaged students so I am sharing a sliver of my read aloud shelf newly set up in my new classroom. This is a tall shelf full of fiction (at the top) and nonfiction (at the bottom) read alouds and it makes me very happy!
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:
I still haven’t got my blogging momentum back so just this post from this week.
Books I enjoyed:
Lots of wonderful picture books did make it into my week! Here are my favourites:
I want a Monster! by Elise Gravel
I have a thing for monsters. I find students love nothing more than creating, imagining and reading about monsters. This title is a must have for the primary classroom with a wonderful create your own monster step by step guide in the back – the perfect extension activity. Also great for a “pet” theme.
Every Day Birds by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and illustrated by Dylan Metrano
I love the language (poetry) and the illustrations (cut paper) in this title that highlights birds that children may see in their every day lives. More details about each bird are at the back of the book. What a lovely gift book this would make for little nature lovers. Of better yet for kids that NEED to get out into nature more.
Follow Me! by Ellie Sandall
I loved the repetitive language and the adorable pictures. A lovely story time title that invites participation!
When Dad Showed me the Universe written by Ulf Stark and illustrated by Eva Eriksson
I really liked this book – while it deals with huge – universe sized – concepts it is also grounded in family routines, real life and yucky things we might step in. Philosophical, beautiful, quiet. Would be a wonderful shared read aloud with one child at a time.
Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds by Marianne Dubuc
If this book had existed when my own children were pre school age, I know we would have owned it. Illustrations to get lost in as we follow Mr. Postmouse on his route.
Grandad’s Island by Benji Davies
This book. I am REALLY trying to not buy any new books until I figure out where to put all of my current books in my new classroom. But, this book . . . I think I need to own it. It is pretty precious and allows us to talk about loss in a gentle, imaginative way.
Can I Tell you a Secret? by Anna Kang and Christophe Weyant
Why not get a little help from your readers if you are a picture book character that isn’t overly courageous?
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Absolutely delightful!! The language is fun – Eucalyptus is full of a lot of syllables and is more entertaining than one would think to say again and again! And these illustrations . . .
Still a Work in Progress by Jo Knowles
There are many things that make this an appealing and important middle grade read. Noah, the main character offers the reader humour, an honest voice and a glimpse into the challenges of middle school, friendship and identity. This part of the story is delivered with lots of humour, believable vulnerabilities and a realistic seventh grader voice. Noah’s life is about more than school and figuring out how to be a teenager. There are struggles at home as he and his parents dance around older sister Emma’s struggles with eating and control. Because this is Noah’s story and not Emma’s, the story line focuses on what it is like to face a health/mental health crisis in a family – an important perspective that Knowles lets us explore. Emma and Noah have a lovely sibling relationship but this is hardly perfect family life. Real, honest and sometimes heartbreaking. Highly recommended for readers 10 and up.
I was pleased to win an ARC of this novel in a Goodreads giveaway.
Reading Progress updates:
2016 Chapter Book Challenge: 29/75 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 201/400 books read
#MustReadin2016: 20/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 28/100 titles
Diverse Books in 2016: 26/50 books read
Up next? I am still reading Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña. Our new family read aloud is Rescued by Eliot Schrefer.
There's a Book for That 
Will find Follow Me! and Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds. Both look just right for the youngest! I enjoyed Still A Work In Progress, wonder how many try to keep secrets about something “big” happening at home, and something they are helpless to do anything about. Jo Knowles gave Noah a voice for all those wishing they knew what was really going on. Thanks, Carrie. Enjoy your week!
Jo Knowles is really so talented isn’t she?
Still a work in Progress definitely had some good moments. Picture books are so THIN. Spine labels! Shelving! Yet another reason to stick to middle grade. Isn’t it nice to have everything in order at least once a year?
Wish it was all in order. Just this shelf!
Follow Me. Lots of great picture books!
Looking forward to reading Jo Knowles book, myself!
It’s an important MG read!
A reading shelf makes me happy, too. I’m running out of shelf space! I Want a Monster sounds super cute. Her Disgusting Critter series makes me laugh. It sounds like this one is humorous, too.
I just found the latest Disgusting Critters – The Toad. So excited to see another one.
So many new titles for me except for Mr. Postman’s Rounds!. Thanks for sharing! The ones that have caught my eye are Grandad’s Island and the Universe one – could be a good one for transforming. I Want A Monster looks like a great one for lesson extensions – art and writing! I know what you mean about buying new books… but I can’t help myself!
Grandad’s Island is really special. I think you will love it.
Still a work in Progress sounds interesting. I like her writing style. I had not hear about this title yet so thank you for sharing.
It’s really lovely and MG!
I just received a copy of Still a Work in Progress from Candlewick today so I’m super excited to read it.
I also need to be on the lookout for I Want a Monster and When Dad Showed Me the Universe. They look like my kind of picture books. 🙂
I hope you enjoy Still a Work in Progress. I love Knowles.
I’ll be on the lookout for Still a Work in Progress, Carrie. Amy’s book is such a treasure, isn’t it?
Absolutely! Beautiful language.
You’ve got some awesome picture books and I loved Still A Work In Progress, too! I’m with you as far as trying not to buy books. At the end of last year, we had a grant and I ordered a massive amount of books and they arrived (during the summer so I haven’t unpacked those yet) plus each classroom teacher had a voucher to spend $400 at a local children’s book store. PLUS I bought two huge bags of books at our local library’s book sale this summer. So, I’m worried that I won’t have room for all these books PLUS all the new books coming in. BUT I still want to buy all the awesome new books that are coming out right now. I need to exercise self-control! Have a terrific week!
How wonderful to have that much $$ to spend. Was that a special grant?
I didn’t know Anna Kang wrote a new PB! I loved her first two!
I also read Still a Work in Progress recently, and I found it to be as amazing as Knowles’s others.
Happy reading this week 🙂
So pleased you also loved this novel. Lots of important themes.
Hey there! I have been following your blog posts via middle of the night nursing session e-mail checkings 😉 I’m not always coherent enough to comment, but I am following your big move! I am so excited for you, and also know how huge a change and undertaking it is to move to a new school. I would wish you luck, but I don’t think someone like you relies on luck. I can’t wait to see your new classroom!!
I’m loving the look of Every Day Birds and Grandad’s Island. I have Still a Work in Progress in my to read basket… I’m looking forward to reading it even more now.
Oh I need a little luck! But am really excited!
I am really looking forward to Still a Work in Progress. I Want a Monster is one I will add to my list. Every Day Birds was a favorite for me. There are so many here that look good. Thanks!
So pleased you see some that look interesting!
What a great collection of picture books. I love the picture of read alouds on your shelf, too. I’m looking forward to Knowle’s latest. It sounds phenomenal.
I’m looking forward to reading Still a Work in Progress. I loved See You at Harry’s even though it was a tear jerker. I really need to read more of her work!