Monsters have cast a certain magic over our classroom lately.
We’ve been reading about monsters.
Talking monster characteristics.
Designing monsters.
Sketching monsters.
Painting monsters.
Talking about monsters living with us. Because . . . hey, what if?
Stories to come. We are writing.
It all started with this book:
And then, we looked at a few more monster titles. Some monster images. Thank you Elise Gravel for some wonderful monster inspiration on your website! We made a gigantic chart about all of the monster features we noticed like: fangs, claws, blueberry bodies (you know squishy and round), humongous heads, extra eyes (and other body parts), horns and other strange features.
We drew monster designs.
By the next week, we were ready to pick a particular monster and “grow him/her” into our monster piece.
Add some paint and some creative energy from your peers, and my, oh my, what happens . . .
Some monsters are born!
Boo!Are you scared? Just a bit? We won’t tell!
Now that you are in the monster mood, you might want a book selection, or two to explore. Here are 18 of my favourite monsterish creature titles:
Monsters? Creatures? Is there a difference? I’m sure if we asked some of these characters, they would have an opinion.
Picture books that feature monsters and other strange creatures:
Crankenstein written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Dan Santant
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
My Teacher is a Monster (No I am Not) by Peter Brown
Prickles vs. The Dust Bunnies (A Balloon Toons comic) by Daniel Cleary
The Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Raising Your Own Pet Monster by Elise Gravel
Julia’s House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke
Wilfred written and illustrated by Ryan Higgins
The Monstore by Tara Lazar
Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty
The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell
The Tale of Jack Frost by David Melling
The Book that Eats People is written by John Perry and illustrated by Mark Fearing.
Plantpet by Elise Primavera
Big Bad Bubble written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Don’t Play with Your Food by Bob Shea
Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beastie by Joel Stewart
To celebrate picture book month, I am sharing peeks into the wonderful conversations I get to have with children about particular picture books. When I thought about writing a picture book post today, no conversations leaped out at me to share. I have no students here at home on a Sunday morning and I have been reading my own children the amazing novelOkay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt. But . . . just yesterday evening, I was talking to Vancouver kindergarten teacher Sharon Hales about how great Elephant & Piggie titles are. She is a huge fan! (Great taste!) And, of course, I asked a few times – “Have you read . . . ?” “Do you know author . . . ?”
Hmmm, this was a conversation about picture books . . .
So I started thinking, if I were a kindergarten teacher, what would be must own picture books for my classroom library? Books guaranteed to inspire giggles and choruses of “Read it again”? Quickly, I started a list on a scrap piece of paper. I ran out of room! This post is the result. 🙂
Grab one of these, grab a child or a kindergarten/early primary class and prepare for smiles and giggles!
And because once you start laughing, you need to laugh some more:
Picture Books to help you giggle:
Count the Monkeys written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Z is for Moose written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
I’m Bored written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Prudence Wants a Pet written by Cathleen Daly and illustrated by Stephen Michael King
Brief Thief written by Michael Escoffier and illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo
Warning: Do not Open this Book! written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Let’s Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile
Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Don’t Play with Your Food by Bob Shea
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea
Interrrupting Chickenby David Ezra Stein
Chester by Mélanie Watt
You’re Finally Here by Mélanie Watt
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
Such a joy to share these favourite titles – perfect for the younger set but appealing to happy readers of all ages!
Are you in the picture book mood? Share some favourites! It’s Picture Book Month!
I hope everyone was able to get lost in a book or two or three just like these guys did in Buddy Reading this week!
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.
My favourite picture books of the week:
Ms. Brooks’ Story Nook(where tales are told and ogres are welcome!) written by Barbara Bottner and illustrated by Michael Emberley
In this delightful tale, Miss Brooks gives her students the opportunity to connect with their inner story telling selves. But things get really interesting when Missy realizes that she can use her creative energies and wild imagination to tackle real life problems. Say problems named Billy Toomey . . .
Giant Dance Party written by Betsy Bird and illustrated by Brandon Dorman
Stage fright explored by big blue fluffy monsters and a feisty little girl.
Don’t Play with Your Food by Bob Shea
This book is absolute kid humour. In fact, one of my students found it at the library and insisted I read it and consider reading it aloud. I think I just might because it would be a LOT of fun to share with a group. A hungry monster continues to be outwitted by a group of ever multiplying bunnies.
H.o.r.s.e. a game of basketball and imagination by Christopher Myers
I read this aloud at dinner to my family and my twelve year old son and husband – both who enjoy basketball – were quite enthralled. Love the friendly banter and boasting and the focus on stretching both skills and creativity.
Rosie and Buttercup written by Chieri Uegaki and illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Oh, so very, very real when it comes to sibling relationships. Don’t you sometimes wish you could just give your annoying little sister away? What if you could? This title explores that question in such a tender and honest way. No blame – just exploring normal feelings of being irritated and having reached the point of frustration.
Nancy Knows by Cybèle Young
Such an interesting title – exploring the concept of memories – so Nancy, our elephant main character, is perfect.
Oliver’s Tree by Kit Chase
Adorable illustrations of these three friends. What kind of tree can an elephant belong in? Two friends support Oliver to find out.
Early readers/younger chapter books:
Annie’s Adventures (The Sister’s 8 Book 1) written by Lauren Baratz-Logsted with Greg Logsted & Jackie Logsted
My daughter devoured all nine titles in this series and I have some girls in my room beginning to read the series so I thought I should read one so I can talk with my students. Lots going on – mystery, sibling negotiation and sister power. Quite sophisticated writing and longer than a typical early chapter book – verging on a middle grade read at over 100 pages.
Humphrey’s Playful Puppy Problem written by Betty G. Birney and illustrated by Priscilla Burris
I find these Humphrey’s Tiny Tales to be the ideal balance between interesting plot and supported text to be the perfect early chapter title.
Novels: (both in verse)
Caminar by Skila Brown
There is something about a heavy story being light in words. Novels in verse can capture images and emotions with so much power that the reader must just stop. This is a beautifully done story – set in Guatemala in the early 1980s when mountain villages are wiped out in the name of searching for rebels. Family. Community. Courage. Nothing is what it once seemed. A powerful story for mature middle grade readers.
Libertad by Alma Fullerton
One night I read Caminar in one sitting and the next morning I woke up and devoured Libertad before getting out of bed. Another novel in verse, also set in Guatemala with a focus on courage and family, Libertad tells the story of a boy forced to protect both himself and his brother after their mother dies as they scavenge for garbage in the Guatemala City Dump. Determined to find his father in America, Libertad brings his brother Julio on a journey to family, freedom and safety. But will each decision be the right one? Is the risk too great? Is their dream even possible? I couldn’t put this book down.
Next up? I am still reading The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson and have a large pile of novels just in from the library that I am excited to dive into.
Reading Goal Updates:
2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 69/100 novels complete
Goodreads Challenge: 484/650 books read (continue to remain 48 books behind, still keeping it under 50!)
#MustReadin2014: 21/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 111/65 complete
Nearly wordless and wonderfully odd and quirky. Mr. Wuffles is a cat who doesn’t move unless it’s for a very good reason and he certainly doesn’t move to chase after silly toys his owner buys him. So what is it about the teeny spaceship that has Mr. Wuffles racing all over the house? You must experience this title to truly understand what is happening. At the end of the week I told my students that I would be sharing a book with them this week that is part wordless, part English and part in a language I don’t understand. They are totally intrigued. Can’t wait to see what they make of this book!
The Island by Marije Tolman and Ronald Tolman
Another wordless title where the narrative isn’t necessarily even close to obvious. I suppose if this really bothers you, this book will be somewhat irritating. I love the illustrations and the suggestion of many story lines. My children and I shared this title over breakfast. Each of us was sort of sure we knew what was going on – all of us telling stories that went in quite different directions. Quite fun actually.
The Paper Dolls written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Although this story is definitely for a younger audience (preschool to K/1 would be ideal) I found it absolutely lovely. A beautiful story celebrating mother daughter time, imagination and playtime adventure. A little girl and her five paper dolls – the names repeat in a poem (loved “Jimmy with two noses”) have many wonderful adventures. There is a moment of cruelty handled without much attention – it isn’t explored but rather gives the story another aspect – that when something is lost or destroyed it is not gone but enters the special world of memories. Would love to gift this to a family with young children. Can see it being a favourite. And of course it has Donaldson’s rhythm and flow.
I Dare You Not to Yawn written by Helene Boudreau and illustrated by Serge Bloch
A cautionary tale about how to avoid yawns that will inevitably lead to being put to bed. And oh are there some cozy, soothing temptations. Yikes, just typing this and visualizing those pages, I yawned! Me: zero. Book: one.
Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Sorry is such an interesting phenomenon. So often children are forced to say sorry and it has no meaning at all. Martha does not voice these words willingly. It is clearly a power thing. It’s not that she isn’t nice, she just won’t admit she’s wrong. When she does finally utter them, it really does feel meaningful. Well handled in a sweet little family story.
Unicorn Thinks he’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea
I love that so many important themes are handled in a story that is full of silly, whimsy and all out bling. Themes such as jealousy, friendship, diversity, and accepting someone new. Read this book to laughter and smiles and then settle in for an interesting discussion about a whole lot of stuff. Most importantly of course: How do we get it to rain cupcakes?
Give Up, Gecko! A Folktale from Uganda retold by Margaret Read MacDonald illustrated by Deborah Melmon
A fun little story highlighting the importance of persistence and the big meanings of what is fair. Silly, fun language and a lovely story all wrapped up in one.
This week I also blogged about some great nonfiction titles I read recently – perfect for preschool listeners right up to late primary.
In other reading, I finished Jinx by Sage Blackwood
I am so happy that I really liked this book. I really really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, the author’s name and the promise of a storyline about wizards, witches, various kinds of magic, curses, secrets, adventure, mystery and listening trees. It might have gone the direction of not pulling it off because it seemed to promise so much. But no, it all comes together and I found myself wishing for more free time to just stay lost in this story. An excellent middle grade fantasy/adventure/mystery. Would be great for fans of The False Prince!
The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
People seem to either love this title or they are kind of middle of the road on it. I am in the first camp. I finished it early this morning over my first cup of coffee and found myself crying twice in the last section. A really intimate little book that introduces us to Billy Miller, his family, his worries and his triumphs. A seven year old hero of the everyday. Love him. Love him. Love him.
Join Jen and Kellee’s meme and share what you are reading from picture books to young adult novels. The #IMWAYR community consistently has wonderful suggestions if you are looking for new book ideas! This week, I read everything from board books to adult novels.
A little “bookish” news:
I was thrilled to have a post about my student book club on the Nerdy Book Club blog this week. Click here if you would like to read it. I appreciated all of the comments and enthusiasm for the joys of sharing the love of reading with groups of students.
I also appreciated being mentioned in Assistant Superintendent Shelley Burgess’ (@burgess_shelley) blog post: Becoming Leaders of Readers Thank you Shelley for including so many links back to my blog (posts that detail favourite books)! I always love talking and recommending books.
My reading this week . . .
I am currently collecting board books to set out when the Ks come up for buddy reading. Board books I read this week and added to our bin:
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins Bright, colourful engaging! Would love to use this as an inspiration for buddy art making . . .
Hello, Doctor written by Michael Coffier and illustrated by Matthieu Maudet Seriously clever. If a board book can make you laugh in just a few pages, you know it is good.
I’m the Biggest thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry Loved watching my Grade 2/3s try this out on their little K buddies. They were so excited to see if it had registered that the giant squid continued his boasting from inside the whale. Adorable!
I read a number of fantastic picture books this week. Too many to narrow down so my reviews are brief!
The Other Side written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis This author/illustrator combination create absolute magic. So much in one little picture book with huge implications for discussion. A fence that represents the division of race becomes just a fence at the end of the story when a whole row of girls perches atop it. I want my own copy of this book.
Me Want Pet written by Tammi Sauer illustrated by Bob Shea Definitely cute but when kid tested, it gets a better response. My own children laughed and laughed. Obviously the urging a parent for a pet is an age old issue 🙂
Chloe, instead by Micah Player An amazing book to share with a child dealing with conflicting emotions about a new sibling. Simple, bright and effective.
The Museum written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds As always Peter H. Reynolds makes movement and magic on the page. Such a wonderful celebration of art. I am not a total fan of rhyming text but the playful, joyous images allowed me to get over being slightly irked . . .
Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka I know not everyone loves Raschka but I really do. Few words are used and they are barely needed – the illustrations relay all of the emotions, pride and accomplishment in the process of learning to ride a bike.
The Red Hat by Lita Judge Basically wordless but tells such a story. Wow. Playful and smile provoking.
Oy Feh So? written by Cary Fagan illustrated by Gary Clement Sometimes a picture book is great because kids will like it but adults will love it and will therefore read it with so much expression and joy that it is enjoyed all the more by the listeners. Thus, it becomes elevated to “better” after the repeated, happy readings. Read this book. You will see what I mean.
A Leaf Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Violeta Dabija Wow.Stunning imagery. Turns the imagination up to high.
All of these wonderful picture books and . . . I still had some time to read and finish some amazing novels.
One Crazy Summer written by Rita Williams-Garcia 1968. California. The Black Panthers. Civil Rights. Three little girls who need to know about their mother. I loved the relationship between the sisters and everything about Delphine. An important read. I can’t wait to share with kids. Thinking a future book club book . . .
The Runaway King written by Jennifer A. Nielsen Oh, did I set the bar high with my children!We finished this Saturday and on Tuesday we have tickets to see Jennifer Nielsen in person!This is a read aloud/book experience that I doubt I will be able to match. When reading this aloud with my children I must admit there were times I wanted to continue reading after I sent them to bed. Had to use a lot of self-restraint not to do so! This book continued the high drama, adventure and intrigue that we loved in The False Prince. We are big Jaron fans. My son finds his spunk hilarious and we are continually impressed by his loyalty, quick thinking and brilliant plans. We loved many other characters too – Imogen of course and also Fink. We are now very anxiously awaiting the third book in this trilogy.
Little Bee written by Chris Cleave I don’t often read adult novels. Not sure if it is that they sometimes just feel too heavy . . . I had heard a lot about this title though and was glad to read it. The highlight of the book is the narration (in her sections) by Little Bee herself. Strength. Survival. Resilience. She is immersed in all of it. Hard to discuss any aspects of this novel without giving away important plot points. I did love the message that collecting and telling stories can save us. I believe this fully.
Next up? I’m reading my children Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan which is the book I am doing with my student book club. Love this title! Tonight I will start Requiem by Lauren Oliver. I feel in the mood for some dramatic fantasy. I’m sure this will deliver.
There's a Book for That 