It’s been ages since I have posted. Ages. Thrilled to be back and sharing some recent reads!
A few #kidsarereading photos for inspiration. Here is my new Grade 2 and 3 class lost in their books. I asked them to clean out book boxes and they all just started reading after this task was done! Can’t ask for more.
First day reading to our K buddies – this duo got cozy and giggled through Elephant and Piggie.
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.
Books I read:
A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel
A companion story to They All Saw a Cat. Simply spectacular. I love how this book travels with us over time and provides an opportunity to discuss perspective.
Sea Bear: A Journey for Survival by Lindsay Moore
This will be one of our Mock Caldecott titles. Absolutely gorgeous but also emotional. This book got me teary. Told in the voice of the polar bear as she travels across seasons. The impact of climate change is clear and discussed specifically in the author’s note at the end of the book.
Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris with illustrations by LeUyen Pham
So much here. Themes of perspective, community, connections. Delightful read aloud for younger students and lots to discuss with older listeners.
The Worst Book Ever by Elise Gravel
Absolutely terrible! Atrocious! So bad that my students yelled and yelled for me to KEEP reading!
I Will Race You Through This Book! by Jonathan Fenske
Interactive and super silly. An early reader with high success for young readers.
Harold & Hog Pretend For Real! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!, #6) by Dan Santat
These Elephant and Piggie Like Reading titles are hugely popular in my Grade 2 and 3 classroom. Children will read anything recommended by Elephant and Piggie! This one is especially cute because the whole book talks about Elephant and Piggie! Delightful!
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
A novel in verse. Jude and her mother travel to live with family in the States leaving her father and beloved older brother back home in Syria. This story talks about identity, home and family and touches on issues such as racism, living in a new country, hanging on to culture. Highly recommended.
Up next? I am reading Mighty Jack and Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke
There's a Book for That 
I love Bear Came Along and Other Words for Home. I’ll Race You Through This Book is fun! Thanks for sharing!
There is something about bears in picture books!
Loved many of these as well. Added Sea Bear to my stack — thank you for that recommendation. Nice to see you back at blogging! Look forward to connecting with you.
I am going to try to ease back in! At least every two weeks.
I hope you will nominate your favorite reads published in the last year for the Cybils. Nominations open tomorrow!
Thanks for the reminder!
It’s been so long since I have commented. I’m looking forward to purchasing these titles for my nieces. Thank you for posting these beautiful books you have read.
A pleasure.
Bear Came Along is a new favorite, plus some others like Other Words for Home. I noted some too, Carrie. Nice to see you here!
I can see why it’s a favourite!
Other Words for Home is high on my TBR. It sounds like such a great, important book. I just reread Zita the Space Girl, it’s a fun read! Have a great week!
A very important and beautiful book.
Sea Bear has beautiful illustrations and I love the ideas about going with the flow and working together in Bear Came Along. Great list this week – I just ordered A Stone Sat Still, The Worst Book Ever, and I Will Race You Through This Book! from my library. Looks like I’ll get a fun pile of books. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
So love A Stone Sat Still!
Sea Bear was absolutely stunning. I’m definitely including that in our school’s Mock Caldecott. Same with Bear Came Along
Glad to see we all are feeling Mock Caldecott love!
Your first three books are in my potential Mock Caldecott!
I can’t wait to read Zita and Mighty Jack – it’s in my pile!
I loved Other Words for Home too 🙂
Me too – in terms of Mock Caldecott!
Lots of good books here. I will look for the Worst Book in my local library
It’s fun!
I’m really looking forward to reading A Stone Sat Still — hope we get a copy here soon! And I loved Other Words for Home. Thank you so much for sharing, Carrie!