Monday November 16th, 2015

Posted on November 15, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week.

This week I have two. Both are all about reading engagement. These moments are everything when you are trying to grow readers.

I had to tweet about this book love shared above

The best book in the room is any book that is read 4 times in an afternoon by one happy reader pic.twitter.com/yCjfewp3ly

— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) November 10, 2015

We read some fantastic titles this week for #classroombookaday. Enemy Pie was well loved. We are reading lots of books on relationships and friendships. My students have requested it. Next week we will begin to read previous Caldecott honor and medal winners in anticipation of our Mock Caldecott in December.

I also loved how one little reader chose the simple but powerful Say Hello.

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.

Here I am again on Monday! And I shared for #nfpb2015 on Wednesday! Getting back into the blogging groove has been wonderful!

On the blog:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Counting Lions

Books I loved this week:

Fall Leaves written by Loretta Holland and illustrated by Elly MacKay

This is a wonderful nonfiction title about what happens all around us when it is fall. Stunning illustrations perfect for this title by Elly MacKay. Lots to inspire learning and questions with primary students.

Shadow Chasers by Elly MacKay

Again, these illustrations are incredible. I loved the premise of this title more than its execution.

Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild is written by Katie Cotton and illustrated by Stephen Walton. Virginia McKenna (from the Born Free Foundation) writes the forward

I shared this gorgeous book in my nonfiction post this week – see the link above. Perfect for a discussion about endangered animals and shrinking habitats.

The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage written by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko

I read this aloud at dinner tonight with my family and it prompted a lot of discussion about laws that have over time and in different countries prohibited marriage for various reasons. We loved the collaborative illustrations and the author’s note in the back which made us a little teary. Such an important read.

Poppy’s Best Paper written by Susan Eaddy and illustrated by Rosalinde Bennet

This was a suggestion from one of my favourite booksellers at Vancouver Kidsbooks. The perfect book to talk about Writing Workshop. Also perfect to explore friendships, peer relationships, jealousy, doing our best, etc. So many great themes.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

This is a rare adult read. It was pure escapism. Did I love it? Not really. But definitely held my attention and took my mind off of other things.

Up next? I am reading MosquitoLand by David Arnold

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 60/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 373/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 67/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 44/50 books read

Monday November 9th, 2015

Posted on November 8, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This week because it has been a while, I have more than one. And not all are reading related but humour me please, I am in a sharing mood 🙂

First – I invite you to enjoy our mural homage to “Shh! We have a plan.” by Chris Haughton. Mini trees and birds by my class. Mural design courtesy of my husband. .

We read some fantastic titles during the week before Halloween for #classroombookaday. Bone Dog squeaked in with the most love.

This art has nothing to do with any book but I just had to share – the colour, the light, the vibrancy and the joy . . . .

And finally my favourite “reading photo” of the week is all about the giggles. Happy, happy, happy.

I am committed to a return to my blog and a sharing of my reading and teaching life.

I credit Marla Frazee for this as I shared in this post: Sunday Reflections: Honest Truths, Metaphorical whales and the “in between” place

Also on my blog:

Wrapped up in shades of black and grey (in honour of Picture Book Month)

I haven’t shared a Monday post in two weeks so I have a number of titles that I am excited to highlight here!

Lenny and Lucy written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Oh my, my, my, my. And, well, wow. You might have noticed I am slightly speechless over this one. It is moody. Lonely. Emotional. Sweet. Lovely. Sigh. Of course, I had to buy it.

Shoe Dog by Megan Mcdonald

I don’t have a dog. I am not that attached to my shoes. But still – if I had a dog and if it chewed up all of my shoes, well, I am not so sure . . . This is book is about some serious pet love. And patience. And it is pretty darn cute.

A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream written by Kristy Dempsey and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Gorgeous and inspiring historical fiction. A must read.

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

A pop up title that is all kinds of amazing. The perfect book to pair with My Blue is Happy and to break out the coloured pencils and start some really wonderful conversations.

The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers

A Hueys tour of counting and numbers and the concept of zero. Quirky and wonderfully odd.

Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School by Simon Puttock and Ali Pye

Shy little Mouse is always somewhere but where? Endearing.

Katie Woo No More Teasing written by Fran Amnushkin and illustrated by Tammie Lyon

I bought five of these Katie Woo titles the other day. Ideal additions to my early readers collection.

The Story of Diva and Flea written by Mo Willems and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

Yep, all kinds of charming. A seriously winning author/illustrator combination. Paris! Incredible characters. Lots to love here in this illustrated chapter book. Would make a perfect read aloud in a primary classroom.

I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Fast paced, impossible to put down.

Just Call My Name by Holly Goldberg Sloan

And then there was a sequel. I had a Goldberg Sloan marathon. If you are in a reading slump, these YA novels are the perfect books to pick up. Personally I was looking for serious escapism and these dramatic stories and wonderful writing fit the bill perfectly!

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 59/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 363/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 64/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 43/50 books read

Up next? I am reading to escape so The Husband’s Secret by Lianne Moriarty is an ideal story. When do I ever ever read adult fiction? Usually never. It is wonderfully ridiculous and like zone out T.V. Perfect.

Wrapped up in shades of black and grey

Posted on November 2, 2015 by carriegelson

It is November and that means it is Picture Book Month!

Here in B.C. we have been experiencing some dark, rainy days. Daylight savings means we just found an extra hour of light in the morning but our afternoons disappear into evening black far too soon. Yet darkness is not all about doom and gloom. It also means cozy, long stretches to read or bustle about inside. Darkness can pull us together for seasons of celebration and special events or provide us with solitude for introspection and calm. Bright is beautiful but so is dark. Whether we seek out the mystery and unexpected or the opportunity to settle into the quiet.

All of the dark has got me thinking about picture book covers. I started a list to see if I could come up with a number of titles that come specially wrapped in blacks and greys. My list ran off the page and I realized that many of my favourite books reside here. Is it just me or is there a certain elegance to these titles?

When you need a break from the bright, pick up one of these beautiful books.

25 titles to swoon over.

Listed alphabetically by author.

Leo a Ghost Story written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Flashlight by Lizi Boyd

Gleam and Glow written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Peter Sylvada

A Good Night Walk by Elisha Cooper

The Black Book of Colors written by Menana Cottin and illustrated by Rosana Faría

Nighttime Ninja written by Barbara DaCosta and illustrated by Ed Young

Willaboughy and the Moon by Greg Foley

The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett

Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears by Emily Gravett

I Know a Bear by Mariana Ruiz Johnson

This is not my Hat by Jon Klassen

In the Tree House written by Andrew Larsen and illustrated by Dušan Petričić

Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith

Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Zero by Kathryn Otoshi

Our King has Horns! written by Richard Pevear and illustrated by Robert Rayevsky

Big Bad Bubble written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

The Dark written by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Jon Klassen

Swan written by Laurel Synder and illustrated by Julie Morstad

Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Jean Jullien

Friends by Mies van Hout

Happy by Mies van Hout

Surprise by Mies van Hout

Ten Birds by Cybele Young

How I love sharing picture book lists during this month of picture book love!

Happy Picture Book Reading!

Monday September 28th, 2015

Posted on September 27, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This week I had to share a very special reading moment. This is one of many reading duos that happens during afternoon reading where a more confident reader spontaneously reads aloud to a growing reader who joins in when he or she can. It it a pretty delightful thing to watch.

I missed last week’s post due to a computer glitch so this is 2 weeks worth of updates. I narrowed it down to my favourite picture books to keep the list reasonable.

On the blog:

For Top Ten Tuesday: Ten dinner invitations I would accept in the world of MG/YA fiction

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Some beginning read alouds

An honest check in regarding the literacy in my new classroom: Celebration: From Here

Celebration: Little Sparks (a week later we are beginning to fan those little sparks)

Books I loved:

I am Yoga written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Gorgeous. It reads calm and pure just like its message.

Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Brendan Kearney

I was so thrilled to share this title as a read aloud and am even more excited to invite my last year’s students to a recess read aloud later this week (we pre-loved this book back in June). So much silly, so much funny, rhymes that work and a trail of suspense as we move through a refrigerator adventure. We laughed a lot during this book but there was also lots of absolutely “captured” little faces waiting to discover what would happen next! Josh Funk managed to achieve an ideal balance between the silly and the adventure. I actually read this aloud to an adult after school on Thursday who was equally captivated. It’s that good that you immediately want to rush out and find a listener!

Some highlights of our read aloud experience:

Early on when Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast announced that they were going to race for the last drop of syrup, one little boy started to quietly chant, “Share it! Share it!” At the end, he shook his head. “See, they should have shared.”
On page four, one child leaned into another and announced: “I like this book already.”
During the bean avalanche, one little boy started shaking his head, “Oh oh. The beans are waking up and getting cranky.”
When BVW did his thing (avoiding a spoiler alert for those of you who haven’t read it), many children began a conversation that ended with general consensus that BVW should be eaten!
There was pure despair when the butter was going to be shared. “No, don’t let the butter die!”
During playtime, about 30 minutes after we finished the book, one little boy came up to me and said very seriously, “I’m voting for the waffle.”
This was our #classroombookaday book of the week with many many votes and a little note scrawled on the chalkboard that I discovered at the end of the day “+ 500 more”

In a Cloud of Dust by Alma Fullerton and illustrated by Brian Deines

An important book that depicts how access to education is so very complicated. With a bicycle, a long arduous walk transforms into a manageable ride.

Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Nate Wragg

This is one sweet book. So lovely that I will soon be featuring it on the blog with student reactions (also very sweet). I am completely smitten with Elwood.

Water Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Violeta Dabija

I adore all of these titles by Salas and Dabija but am perhaps most excited to share this one with my class when we begin our theme on water in a few weeks. Such an amazing book to allow students to think more broadly and creatively about something so much a part of their lives.

Hilo: The Boy who Crashed to the Earth by Judd Winick

Oh Hilo! Joy. Adventure. High degree of action. Engaging characters. An absolute winner in the graphic novel department.

The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens

It is totally cliche to talk of being completely lost in a book about being lost in the mountains. But, this book pulled me in and I had a really difficult time putting it down. Lori Lansens is one of my all time favourite writers so I couldn’t miss this title when I heard it was released. An incredible survival story that leads us nowhere safe through memories, dreams and visions. Wolf Truly sets off on his eighteenth birthday to jump to his death from a ridge overlooking Palm Springs. Up on the mountain he meets three women, three generations of one family who become stranded with Wolf. This is a story you won’t soon forget.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 54/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 332/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 60/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 39/50 books read

Up next? I am reading a number of titles including Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty ( a rare adult read)

Monday September 14th, 2015

Posted on September 13, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. I now have a class again and as media consent forms get signed, I can begin sharing photos of the reading happening in my room. Here is a photo of my new class voting on our favourite #classroombookaday of the week. They were so excited! Some thought that because they voted for the book that received the most votes that they had won! Very cute.

On the blog:

A review of the book Sloth Slept On with student reactions

My weekly celebration: 5 words which reflect my first week

Books I loved:

Where’s Walrus? And Penguin? by Steven Savage

As I was reading this book, I forgot it was wordless. The story is so engaging and clever.

Ellie by Mike Wu

Ellie wants to save the zoo but also to find what makes her special. A sweet little story of perseverance and caring.

Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon

A sloth is discovered by three children sleeping in a tree. Just who is this creature? And . . . what should they do with him? Lots of fun.

Young Frank, Architect by Frank Viva

Wow, this book impressed me. Such a tale about approaching the world with a unique perspective and creativity.

The Dandelion’s Tale written by Kevin Sheehan and illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

The desire to be remembered, the cycle of life – some heavy themes in a delightful picture book.

What in the World?: Numbers in Nature written by Nancy Raines Day and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

Perfect to inspire looking closely at the world and finding numbers everywhere we look.

Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles

Lots of sadness and despair here. Such an interesting concept. Despite all of the different narrators, this title really held my attention. A well written, powerful book.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 52/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 322/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 59/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 36/50 books read

Up next? I am reading a number of titles including The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens

Sloth Slept On

Posted on September 9, 2015 by carriegelson

The students that I have taught for the past 2 -3 years LOVE sloths. We have read books about sloths – both fiction and nonfiction and know quite a few things about these slow moving creatures. So it was an absolute delight to share Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon with this class on our first day of school before they moved on to their new classrooms.

This title is all about the discovery of a strange creature fast asleep in a back yard tree and the search to find out just who it is that has been found and where exactly he belongs. Our well meaning little sleuths eventually do discover that they are dealing with a sloth but their endeavours to return him home are not exactly perfect, despite best intentions.

Student reactions were so interesting – full of many questions.

At the beginning there was lots of wondering about the age of the three children who discovered the sloth. Were they old enough to read? How exactly did they pick up a sloth? (Are sloths light or heavy?) Did their parents know they were picking up unknown creatures and carrying them around?

Soon into the story, the wondering turned to a possible message or theme that the author was playing with. Students observed that so much of the book was about paying attention, or more accurately not paying attention. Many of the characters seemed to miss important clues in their environment. They were distracted and didn’t notice the obvious. The were distracted with their wondering and imagining. Was this a book about noticing and being mindful of place?

This led us to the very interesting question: Are sloths observant animals? Can you be an observant animal if you spent 20 hours a day or more sleeping? Some argued, absolutely not. Others thought that if in the four “awake” hours, you really paid attention, it would count.

When the children in the story made the decision to send the sloth (spoiler alert!) to the rainforest, reactions were again mixed and the discussion became quickly interesting – drawing on some of the things we learned the year before about rehabilitating rescued animals:

“It would be great for an animal to be returned to nature.”
“Only if he could be rehabilitated.”
“What if he’s too used to humans, that would make him vulnerable.”
“Do poachers go after sloths?”
“What if he can’t figure out how to find his own food?”
“Isn’t the natural habitat always better?”
“Do you think he was born in the rainforest?”

Students enjoyed the illustrations and all of the conversations this book prompted. Recommended for preschool to late primary classrooms. Perfect as part of a study on sloths. Ideal for practicing comprehension skills like questioning and inferring.

Thank you to Lauren at Sterling Publishing Company for providing the copy of Sloth Slept On for review!

Monday August 31st, 2015

Posted on August 30, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. Now that it is summer, I am not surrounded every day with little readers so . . . I am choosing moments from the year not previously shared. I love this Henry and Mudge love!

From the classroom 2014/2015 archives:

On the blog:

For Top Ten Tuesday: Titles that feature wonderful male/female friendships in MG literature

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: A Room Full of Nonfiction A mini tour of the nonfiction in my classroom

A Celebration post about #booklove starring The Good Little Book

Sunday Reflections: Literary Nest Building 101

Books I read and loved:

A Rock Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas with illustrations by Violeta Dabija

I love this nonfiction series – lovely poetry, stunning illustrations and interesting and detailed back matter. A must have for classrooms and/or libraries.

What this Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virján

Super silly. Super simple. Perfect for kids just learning to read – lots of repetition – a quality little book.

The Good Little Book written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Marian Arbona

I adore this book on many different levels. What a perfect book to get us thinking about heading back into classrooms! The end pages are incredible!

To the Sea by Cale Atkinson

Love the tones in this sweet little book about friendship and being noticed.

Ask Me written by Bernard Waber and illustrated by Suzy Lee

I actually hugged this book in the bookstore after I read it. A regular conversation between a father and his young daughter perfectly captures the energy and wonder of a particular time of childhood. Love this book! And the illustrations, wow!

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley

Yes, Josh Funk if you are reading this, this book made me teary. A book about the every day moving on process of grieving the loss of a loved one and wrapping yourself up in the love of those still with you. Just beautiful.

Leo a Ghost Story written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Leo is a charmer. A ghost that needs to find out where he is appreciated.

Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt

So clever Ms. Watt! This is one thick picture book – full of the stages of grief (hilariously conveyed) and lots of humour. Just delightful. Can see using this with older grades and having students write about their own self-talk through the stages of grief attached to a particular event.

Blue on Blue written by Dianne White and illustrated by Beth Krommes

Rain, beautiful rain. This book celebrates the dark colours and images of a rain storm. The illustrations are incredible.

The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi

This is a wonderful title. Such creative twists on Little Red Riding Hood – crafted into quite a different tale. Love the shades and repetitive colours.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

I read this to myself and had to whisper certain lines aloud because I was certain they would be a treat to say. Yep! Wow Kate DiCamillo can write!

Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White

An emotional middle grade novel about two sisters who need to take care of each other when their Dad leaves them at a gas station. I couldn’t put this book down.

Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart

From the title and the cover, one would think this is a light hearted novel. There is humour but it is full of emotions. In fact, I woke up early one morning worried about the character and had to finish the book to make sure all was okay. What do you do when you are twelve, you have lost your Dad and money is an issue? This title explores this reality in creative, but always authentic and sensitive ways. Fantastic characters and family dynamics.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

I read this in one sitting and if I had time, I would have started on page one and read it all over again. So beautiful. So heartfelt. So human.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 50/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 309/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 16/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 58/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 33/50 books read

Up next? I am still reading and LOVING The Queen of Water by Laura Resau and then will begin Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles

Because Good Little Books Must be Shared; celebrating books about #booklove

Posted on August 27, 2015 by carriegelson

This week a treasure of a book arrived at my house.

The Good Little Book written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Marian Arbona

This title perfectly captures true #booklove and the notion that books must be shared. What a perfect book to get us thinking about heading back into classrooms and reading to children or snuggling up for a cozy family story time with your own little ones. Books about loving books are especially special. They celebrate the wonder and magic of reading. This title by Maclear reminds us that our attachments to certain stories can be passionate and run deep.

This book is unique. It doesn’t have a jacket (significant later in the story) and its end pages are some of the most exquisite I have ever seen. Vibrant red flowers, quirky doodles and a name plate that makes us think about a very important question: Does a book truly belong to any one person?

This book is about a boy and his book. His love for the book grows slowly. It comforts him. It transports him to new places and inspires him to experience a myriad of emotions. Soon, he is most definitely attached. And then one day, his book is missing. He worries. He searches. He mourns.

It might be that he does come across this book again. But our boy is now a reader and he knows, most certainly, that a book is a gift. A gift to be shared.

Such a gem. This good little book 🙂

This week I celebrate The Good Little Book and all of the #booklove it will conjure up in its readers.

I have also shared some of my other favourite titles that honour books, literacy and reading.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The Library written by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small

That Book Woman written by Heather Henson and illustrated by David Small

Mr. George Baker written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Jon J Muth

The Snatchabook written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty.

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

The Best Book in the World by Rilla

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.

Happy Reading!

Thank you to Pamela at Penguin Random House Canada for providing the copy of The Good Little Book for review!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten plus ten equals twenty auto-buy Illustrators

Posted on August 17, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday, a meme created by The Broke and Bookish.

This week’s topic? Top Ten Auto-buy Authors But I kind of switched it up . . .

I approached this theme with some flexibility. First, I only included picture books. Second, my list is all about illustrators, not authors (although some both illustrate and write their books). And top ten? Nope. I have twenty. But I split it into two lists of ten in order to kind of follow the rules. 🙂 10 + 10 = 20

My top ten lists this week are all about my auto-buy illustrators. These artists help make picture books that are irresistible.

I read a lot, a lot, a lot of picture books. Narrowing these lists down was a challenge!

When it became apparent that I couldn’t limit my list to just ten, I decided to make a list of female illustrators and a list of male illustrators. Both make the best books ever! I am so excited to honour them here. For each illustrator, I have included my favourite (or one of my favourite) books that they have illustrated.

My ten auto-buy female illustrators listed in alphabetical order:

Freya Blackwood illustrated Harry and Hopper I love the scratchy, loose lines and the mood Blackwood creates through shading and colour.

Lauren Castillo wrote and illustrated Melvin and the Boy I love Nana and her wonderful cape and thought it was wonderfully Caldecott worthy, but I have such a soft spot for this sweet little book.

Marla Frazee illustrated All the World It is so absolutely calming and charming and full of all the world’s memories.

Emily Hughes wrote and illustrated Wild which I am more than a little wild about

Suzy Lee created the wordless treasure Wave I am quite sure these waves are moving across the pages here.

Qin Leng illustrated Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin – there is one page oh so very full of green that I fell in love with.

Yuyi Morales wrote and illustrated Niño Wrestles the World I already loved this title but then I heard Yuyi read it aloud and I was even more smitten. Such joyous energy and escapades in this book!

Julie Morstad’s illustrations in This is Sadie are swoon worthy. Seriously, this cover!

LeUyen Phan absolutely blew me away with The Boy Who Loved Math

$The Boy Who Loved Math Top Ten Tuesday: Ten plus ten equals twenty auto-buy Illustrators$

Erin E. Stead illustrated the stunning If You Want to See a Whale If you follow this blog you know I have a serious thing for whales. The one in this book? I find it particularly captivating.

My ten auto-buy male illustrators listed in alphabetical order

Jonathan Bean illustrated Bad Bye, Good Bye which I found wonderfully delightful. Look at the expressions conveyed just on the cover.

Peter Brown won me over with his book The Curious Garden that he wrote and illustrated. Doesn’t it make you want to go plant a seed or two or twelve in some unexpected places?

Oliver Jeffers just keeps making more books. Picking a favourite is challeging. I’m going with The Heart and the Bottle which will tug at your heart.

Jon Klassen is the Caldecott King but it is his illustrations in House Held up by Trees that I find the most incredible.

E.B. Lewis has done so many titles that are powerful but his illustrations in My Best Friend might be my favourite.

Patrick McDonnell’s illustrations are so whimsical and full of teeny tiny characters that are very large. South is gentle and lovely.

Christopher Silas Neal’s books with Kate Messner are stunning but it is illustrations in Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animals’ Lives that I want to celebrate here.

Mark Pett won a special award in my room for The Girl and the Bicycle during our Mock Caldecott process He sent a very special gift for his number one fan (see below).

John Rocco does many wonderful titles. He wrote and illustrated Blackout which is likely my favourite. The blues. The blacks. Wow. Wow. Wow.

David Small does the most delicate, detailed drawings for historical fiction titles. I couldn’t choose my favourite. So instead I picked One Cool Friend which I also love.

Who are your auto-buy illustrators?

Could you choose ten? Or stop at twenty? It’s difficult!

Monday August 17th, 2015

Posted on August 16, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

From the classroom 2014/2015 archives:

On the blog:

For Top Ten Tuesday: Ten MG and YA authors I read the most

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Natural Mysteries, Solved

A special Celebration post about updated allergy testing

Sunday Reflections: The power of observation

Books I read and loved:

Night Animals by Gianna Marino

This book is absolutely adorable. The perfect book for reading aloud at a story time for younger listeners. The perfect bedtime book to remind all soon to be sleepers that they are brave. A wonderful read aloud for any classroom to appreciate how clever and beautiful picture books can be.

Bad Bye, Good Bye written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Jonathan Bean

Oh how I was impressed with this book. The illustrations were incredible. Maybe my favourite so far from Bean. And the sparse text – full and powerful and conveying so much emotion. Moving is hard. Plain and simple. For kids, it’s a different kind of hard. As a child who moved 9 times before my 7th birthday, I get it. Would pair beautifully with Neville written by Norman Juster and illustrated by G. Brian Karas

It’s Only Stanley by Jon Agee

Odd, quirky and “rhyme”y.

Ben Draws Trouble by Matt Davies

I LOVED Ben Rides On when it first came out. So I have been waiting for this title. And it didn’t disappoint. It captures the joy of drawing, the dynamics of worry and the power of being noticed.

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree written by Ellen Potter and illustrated by Qin Leng

Well, I would like to start by saying that I want to go back in time and be Piper Green. I want to ride a boat to school. I want to eagerly anticipate fresh baking each morning. Quirky little brothers? Yes, please. And a teeny school, absolutely! And I could write paragraphs on how much I want a fairy tree. I am SO excited to share this title with my new class. I predict it will get a lot of love. The perfect early chapter book series. Well written with dynamic characters, gorgeous illustrations and just the right amount of text.

Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller with Susan Kelley

I have actually been reading this book for over a year. I have read many parts multiple times. Finally, this summer, I sat down and read it cover it cover. Of course, there is much here that I celebrate. I also really appreciate how Donalyn is so honest about her journey as a teacher. I know there is more figuring things out to come and that we will all benefit. But what she has figured out already? So wise, so wonderful and so full of celebration of books and readers.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I can’t believe I had never read this book. Now, I see why so many insist it is an absolute must read title for high school classrooms. Brave. Upsetting. Necessary.