Once Upon a Story

October 5, 2015

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (October 5th)

(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

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

September 14, 2015

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (The FINALLY Back-to-School Edition)

(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

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

August 31, 2015

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (August 31st)

(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

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

August 25, 2015

It’s Monday(on Tuesday)! What Are You Reading? (August 24th)

(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

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

March 2, 2015

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 2nd)

(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.

Happy Monday!

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

February 23, 2015

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (February 23rd)

(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.

Roadwork

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 😉

Happy Monday, Friends!

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

January 26, 2015

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! (January 26th)

(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.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath!

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!

Happy Monday, Friends!

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

January 4, 2015

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan 4th)

(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.

Happy Monday, Friends!

What are YOU reading this week?

0 Comment(s)

November 17, 2014

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (Nov 17th)

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!