(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
Happy Monday!
Are you dry? We had a wet weekend, but Hurricane Joaquin is missing us and blowing out to sea. Hoping any and all in South Carolina are doing okay!
Here’s what we’ve been reading while it rained outside:
Sidney, Stella and the Moon
Emily Yarlett
Feeding the Flying Fanellis: And Other Poems from a Circus Chef
Katie Hosford, illustrated by Cosei Kawa
Good Morning Sam
Marie Louise-Gay
Stella, Fairy of the Forest
Marie Louise-Gay
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
Happy Monday!
We’re finally back in school! Hooray! Summer was fun, but I’m ready for fall, and routine.
Here’s what we’ve been reading:
For me:
Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty
For the Kids:
Little Red’s Riding Hood
Peter Stein, illustrated by Chris Gall
Rymoceros
Janik Coat
Trucks
Anne Rockwell
Breathe
Scott Magoon
The Extraordinary Mr. Qwerty
Karla Strambini
Madame Martine
Sarah S. Brannen
Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats
Alicia Potter, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
One more week till we go back to school ’round here.
One week!
In the meantime, here’s what we’ve been reading:
For me:
Lost in the Sun
Lisa Graff
For the Kids:
Penguin and Pumpkin
Salina Yoon
On My Way to School
Sarah Maizes, illustrated by Michael Paraskevas
Goodnight Already
Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
I just love all the back to school posts, from both teachers and parents alike. The pictures of shiny classrooms and shiny kids. Fresh start!
I’ll post mine in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. Because ’round here, we don’t start until after Labor Day. And Labor Day is late this year. Which means I have two bored-with-summer kiddos at home. And my productivity is hovering *just* above ZILCH.
Anyway.
Here’s some of what has caught our attention lately.
For me:
Goodbye Stranger
Rebecca Stead
Finding Audrey
Sophie Kinsella
The Impossible Knife of Memory
Laurie Halse Anderson
For the kids:
Pippi Longstocking
Astrid Lindgren
The Day the Crayons Came Home
Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Construction
Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Outstanding in the Rain: A Whole Story With Holes
Frank Viva
Boats for Papa
Jessixa Bagley
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
Happy Monday!
Y’all. It’s MARCH.
MARCH!
And though you wouldn’t know it by the snow that’s in my front yard, or the nice sheen of ice on top of it from the entire day of sleet and freezing rain we had yesterday…spring is coming.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
We actually didn’t get to the library last week, because I spent most of the week recovering from the holiday and 3 snow days we had the preceding week. So we’ve been reading from our own plentiful shelves, as well as books we checked out the week before.
A few new books for me, though.
For me:
Going Over
Beth Kephart
Another YA this week. I’m fond of Kephart’s lyrical prose, and this book, which tells the story of two young love interests, divided by the Berlin wall, caught my interest from the very first page. I will say, though, that after reading All the Bright Places last week, and Going Over this week, I’ll be ready for something a little lighter next. Those teenage years are painful. And exhausting.
Jack at the Helm
by Lisa Doan, illustrated by Ivica Stevanovic
More coming on Wednesday, but I really enjoyed this third book in a new-to-me adventure series. Quick read, lots of action, lots of laughs.
That’s everything new!
Short and sweet, which is how I hope you day goes, friends.
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
Hello from icy Virginia! After a week where the kids were only in school ONE day, the sun has come out and we’re back to our routine.
Thank. Goodness.
Fortunately, we did make it to the library last week before we got snowed/iced in.
Here’s what we’ve been reading.
For me:
All the Bright Places
Jennifer Niven
This YA book tore me apart. There are times where I wanted to stop reading just because it was so (emotionally) tough to keep going. But it’s beautifully, sensitively, and compassionately done. And so needed for today’s high school youth.
For the kiddos:
Magic Puppy: Classroom Princess
by Sue Bentley
It had a puppy and glitter on the front. No way was my 5yo going to leave it on the shelf.
The Book with No Pictures
by B.J. Novak
We’ve actually been reading this for 2 weeks now. “Monkey butt! HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Alison McGhee
The 5yo is reading anything she can get her hands on lately. We read through the Mercy Watson series, now we’re on Bink and Gollie. Up next: Leroy Ninker
One Big Pair of Underwear
by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Smart, smart idea to lure them in with the promise of underwear…and then slip in some counting skills and a message about sharing.
by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock
My 3yo knows more about construction equipment than I do. The Sally Sutton books are a favorite.
Stay warm! And those of you who are already warm…don’t talk to me until Spring 😉
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
For me:
The Witch’s Boy
Kelly Barnhill
I’ve been reading this until I fall asleep every night, wishing I could stay awake longer.
This One Summer
written by Jillian Tamaki, illustrated by Mariko Tamaki
I’ve been exploring the new-to-me genre of graphic novels. This one falls solidly under the category of YA, including its content and degree of intensity. Still, a very quick read and I’m finding myself emotionally attached to the main character.
For the kiddos:
You and Me
by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Because I’ll read anything and everything Reynolds puts his name to. And never be disappointed.
Nana in the City
Lauren Castillo
Flat-out adorable read with an urban setting. Huge hit with both of my kids, even though it’s a “quieter” book. Which just proves there’s still the need for those types of stories. My 3yo calls this, “the superhero book.” 🙂
Telephone
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jen Corace
You remember the game of Telephone, right? Adults can tell from the get-go where this story is going. It does require a little bit of sophistication to get the punchline. It went right over my 3yo’s head, but my 5yo got it. And then asked to read it again.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
by Dan Santat
For child, or loved one of a child, whose had an imaginary friend.
Mo Willems
Can’t go wrong with a Willems! At least not in this house.
The Baby Tree
Sophie Blackall
Sophie Blackall eloquently and age-appropriately tackles the age old childhood question of, “Where do babies come from?” And her illustrations are, as always, stunning. Backmatter also includes suggestions for continuing the conversation.
Stay warm this week, those of you in the Northeast!
(Just a reminder: You can always click on the image for more information about the book, including a summary.)
For me:
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass
Meg Medina
I’ve heard Meg speak twice, and she’s as authentic as they come. So is her writing.
This is real, powerful, important, stuff.
Rain Reign
Ann M. Martin
When I think of Ann M. Martin, I immediately think of The Babysitter’s Club. I’m a child of the 80s. I can’t help it. But she’s written so much more, including this, her most recent. And I love her for creating a character who is so beautifully atypical.
What the Moon Said
Gayle Rosengren
My newest pick, just started last night.
For the kiddos:
Benny and Penny in Lights Out!
Geoffrey Hayes
We are currently a little obsessed with Toon Books, an imprint of Candlewick, who produces graphic novels specifically for younger readers. My 5yo is reading (devouring!) the level 2 books independently. We picked up a couple of the Benny and Penny books at our library last week. Though the genders are reversed from what is in our household, I think she she’s herself and her brother in the sibling relationship.
Ling & Ting: Twice as Silly
Grace Lin
I’ve read Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky, but didn’t realize she’d also penned this early reader series. We’ll be back for more!
Let’s Go for A Drive
Mo Willems
Because we’re always, always, always reading an Elephant & Piggie book 🙂
Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters
Jane Yolen, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Simple, descriptive, rhyming text. My 5yo has been reading this to my 3yo.
Sebastian and the Balloon
Philip C. Stead
You can always count on Stead to write those quieter books that have a timeless feel, both in text and illustration. They make perfect bedtime/quiet time stories.
Before you leave today, make sure you check out my giveaway for Snowman’s Story! Click the image below to enter! There are some fun freebies over there, too!
And now for this week’s reading.
For me:
The Riverman
Aaron Starmer
Brown Girl Dreaming
Jacqueline Woodson
For the kiddos:
Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch
Laura Barnholdt, illustrated by Suzanne Beaky
Waiting is Not Easy!
Mo Willems
*MY NEW FAVORITE ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK!!*
My Big Book of Trucks and Diggers
Chronicle Books
Yes, still. The kiddo has kinda latched on to this one.
Go, Dog, Go!
P.D. Eastman
A classic that my 5yo is now reading on her own.
For me:
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond
Brenda Woods
Save the Cat: The Last Book On Screenwriting That You’ll Ever Need
Blake Snyder
For the kiddos:
Ivy + Bean: Break the Fossil Record
Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Quest
Aaron Becker
Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination
Emily Winfield Martin
My Big Book of Trucks and Diggers
Chronicle Books
Diggers Go
Steve Light
Room on the Broom
Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Sheffler
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