5
Nov
Reading Together
November is National Picture Book Month! It’s been awhile since I’ve shared what we’ve been Reading Together, so it only seems appropriate that I kick-off the new month with a list jam packed with picture books. Not familiar with National Picture Book Month? Be sure to check out the website which is chock-full of author and illustrator features, resources, activities, videos, and fun!
Remember… it’s been awhile since I’ve shared books we’ve been reading, so this list is a doosy. There is no preferential order either. Lots of newbies. Lots of “I Spy” type activity books. And a few of the best books we’ve read all year. Grab a pen. You’re going to want to jot these down…
It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Jeremy Tankard
We had this book for quite awhile and I also read it during an impromptu storytime at the library a few months ago. Bright illustrations and a fun, suspenseful storyline about a boy who finds a tiger lurking everywhere he goes.
1-2-3 Peas bye Keith Baker
Keith Baker creates the most charming books for preschoolers and kindergarten-age children. His latest, 1-2-3 Peas, is a darling book about counting that makes you want to read it over and over again.
Lucy Can’t Sleep by Amy Schwartz
Lucy can’t quite go to sleep. It takes wandering through the house, eating some chocolate pudding, and the help of a few friends (Bear, Dolly, and a pup) for Lucy to finally slip into bed and sleep.
Cat the Cat, Who is That? by Mo Willems
The last few weeks we’ve read this book a bagillion times!! Over and over and over again. L has it memorized (literally). A series for beginning readers all kids can enjoy.
Sky Color by Peter Reynolds
Love Peter H. Reynolds! I’m mean, really… who doesn’t? This is his latest, Sky Color.
Mossy by Jan Brett
I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite Jan Brett picture book yet. I wish I had it for turtle storytime back in July. Next time!
Apple by Nikki McClure
Nikki McClure is one of my favorite cut-paper artists and children’s illustrators. I was so pleased to see her recognized in the New York Times earlier this year for her simple and lovely, Apple.
We’re Going on a Picnic by Pat Hutchins
This has been in our bedtime circulation for quite awhile.
Sheep Out to Eat by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple
Those sheep! A teashop is no place for you to eat!
Walt Disney’s Cinderella retold by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Mary Blair
Oh Mary Blair! You might recognize her work as a concept artist for several Disney movies. If you’re not familiar with Mary Blair it’s best you get antiquated! We are really loving this picture book featuring her artwork partnered with text by some of the most celebrated children’s book authors.
Walt Disney’s Peter Pan retold by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson, illustrated by Mary Blair
Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland retold by Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Mary Blair
Tell Me About Your Day Today by Mem Fox, illustrated by Lauren Stringler
A sweet story about a girl and her stuff animals reminiscing about their busy day.
A Good Day by Kevin Henkes
L has memorized this book as well. She also has taken to tucking things behind her ear and yelling, “Momma, it’s a good day!”
Who’s Hiding by Satoru Onishi
Like I mentioned earlier, we’ve been really into “I Spy” books. This one is a fun and challenging.
Adopt a Glurb by Elise Gravel
A co-worker recommended this Balloon Toon book, which happens to be a favorite in their house. The illustrations are quirky and so fun!
Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas
The first time I read this book… I was like..”meh”. But L loves it and after I read it a couple times more, I’m in the same boat.
Snail, Where Are You? by Tomi Ungerer
Identifies swirls in the world around us. Now when L sees a swirl she calls it a snail.
Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig
Rainy days are the pits, except when your dad finds the most unusual and hilarious game to play.
The Secret Circus by Johanna Wright
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. Parisian mice take off on an adventure to visit a secret circus.
One Bear With Bees in His Hair by Jakki Wood
An amusing short story which also incorporates counting and colorful illustrations.
I Spy Little Numbers by Jean Marzollo, pictures by Walter Wick
A cleaver way to teach number recognition through a simple and colorful “I Spy” book.
Can You See What I See? Dinosaurs by Walter Wick
Another fun “I Spy” book for toddlers and preschool age kids. You can’t go wrong with dinosaurs!
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen
This was a book my mother use to read to me as a child. It teaches the important lesson of appreciating who you are and the family you have.
Cat Tale by Michael Hall
Ooohh this books is too clever! A terrific play on words which would be a fun way to introduce homophones and homonyms.
In the Town All Year Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner
This is another pick introduced by a co-worker that we had checked out for almost four months. Visually stimulating with limited text, the reader follows a town and it’s habitats through the different seasons of one year.
All the Seasons of the Year by Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Kay Chorao
A month by month telling of a mother and her kitten and the activities they engage in throughout the year.
Let’s Go For a Drive! by Mo Willems
The latest Elephant and Piggie book! Need I say more?
Moomin and the Birthday Button based on the stories of Tove Jansson
Another latest obsession is Moomin and Little My!
Moomin’s Lift-the-Flap Hide and Seek based on the stories of Tove Jansson
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
The follow up book to I Want My Hat Back. Same idea. As always, the hat stealer doesn’t fare well in the end.
A House in the Woods by Inga Moore
This picture book has a very Wind in the Willows feel to me. Outstanding illustrations and wonderful story of a home of friends.
Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazee
Siblings Boot and Shoe are best of friends and share everything. A sweet story by another favorite illustrator, Marla Frazee.
Frosty The Snowman by Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Been reading this one together since September. My head might explode come the holiday season if the song starts to play on a department store speaker system.
What are you reading together?
***Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. Since I work in the children’s room of a public library, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***
2
Oct
Treasure Hunt
Like I mentioned earlier, the Lawrence Public Library’s annual book sale was a couple weekends ago. They have THE BEST finds for cheap. If you’re library has a book sale, go! You won’t regret it. Here are a few of my found treasures…
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Inga Moore
Finger Plays for Nursery and Kindergarten by Emilie Poulsson
Perrault’s Fairy Tales with thirty-four full-page illustrations by Gustave Dore
The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Yaroslava
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Whopping Grand Total: $8
3
Sep
68 Tiny Distractions
Those rooms you breezed through just now… they’re miniature.
Go ahead, scroll up, and take another looksie.
Incredible, right?
These pictures above are only a sampling of a permanent gallery of miniature rooms called The Thorne Rooms in the Art Institute of Chicago. A few weeks ago, I read The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone, a children’s middle grade fiction book about two friends, who discover they can shrink themselves to the size of the miniature Thorne Rooms. It isn’t long before they also learn the Thorne Rooms are even more real than they appear.
Have you ever heard of the Thorne Rooms? I never had until reading this book. After I finished The Sixty-Eight Rooms, I immediately loaned Miniature Rooms: The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago, a large book about the rooms and how they came to be, to put their reality to what I had envisioned while reading. Per The Art Institute of Chicago:
“The 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms enable one to glimpse elements of European interiors from the late 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s. Painstakingly constructed on a scale of one inch to one foot, these fascinating models were conceived by Mrs. James Ward Thorne of Chicago and constructed between 1932 and 1940 by master craftsmen according to her specifications.”
The book is truly a fascinating story of Mrs. James Ward Thorne and her love off all things miniature. She collected many of the pieces while traveling abroad in Europe, and commissioned dozens of craftsmen to create rooms to house her findings. The rooms she sketched were inspired by historic castles, museums, and homes of Europe and North America.
After flipping through the book I went to The Art Institute of Chicago’s website to look through the rooms there, but I also came across Escape From Thorne Mansion, an interactive way to tour the rooms virtually. So fun!
Every person I talked to about the Thorne Rooms are unfamiliar with their existence, so I thought I would pass on my indulgence so you could explore their master and magic.
This one is my favorite…
South Carolina Ballroom 1775-1835, c. 1940, American, Created by Mrs. James Ward Thorne. Can’t you see this room in candle light with a a waltz softly playing? The furniture pushed to the side and people dancing or mingling out on the terrace. A grand southern soiree with a warm breeze and flushed faces.
Then I remember this room is only a little larger than a breadbox….
image sources: thorne rooms: Tennessee Entrance Hall, 1835, French Dining Room of the Louis XIV Period, 1660-1700, c. 1937, English Reception Room of the Jacobean Period, 1625-55, c. 1937, English Drawing Room of the Georgian period, 1770-1800, c. 1937, French Salon of the Louis XVI Period, c. 1780, c. 1937, French Dining Room of the Louis XIV Period, 1660-1700, c. 1937, New York Parlor, 1850-70, c. 1940, Virginia Drawing Room, 1754, c. 1940, Massachusetts Bedroom, c. 1801, c. 1940, mrs. thorne, South Carolina Ballroom, 1775-1835, c. 1940
24
Aug
Reading Together
The latest and the greatest books we’ve been reading together the past few weeks! Please feel free to share what you’ve been reading— we’re always looking for recommendations!
Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems
Now, I’ve read Elephant and Piggie for storytime before, but they have finally found their way into our home. L is obsessed. We have checked out every single one of them the past few weeks. She has each book memorized.
Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deency Murguria
A sweet story about a girl who’s favorite day is Saturday because that’s the day she gets to pick out whatever she wants to wear for the day ahead.
My No, No, No Day! By Rebecca Patterson
Anyone with a toddler will appreciate this story. That is all I have to say.
A beautifully illustrated story about a moving to a new home, making new friends, and settling in day by day.
A simple story about fish and their emotions enhanced with an electric color palette.
When the Moon Forgot by Jimmy Liao
The first time I read this book I thought it was quite odd. The second time I read it it grew on me. And now every time we read it together I love it more and more.
The Belly Book by Fran Manushkin
A book about bellies!
No Bears by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Leila Rudge
One little girl is sick and tired of reading books about bears, so she decides to write her own book with NO BEARS. A new favorite author/illustrator duo of mine (I’m currently reading their book Duck for a Day, a new children’s beginning chapter book)
Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket by Tatyana Feeney
Small bunny loves his blue blanket just the way it is. But when his mother wants to wash it, it takes him some time to warm up to the idea.
Mrs. Giggle Belly Is Coming For Tea by Donna Guthrie, illustrated by Katy Keck Arnsteen
A co-worker introduced this book to me to read with L and we are both head over heals for it. Such a sweet mother-daughter story.
How Do you Say It Today, Jesse Bear? By Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Bruce Degen
Ever since we read Happy Birthday Jesse Bear! and Jesse Bear What Will You Wear?, we’ve been really into Jesse Bear books.
You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
You Are My Sunshine and the next book The More We Get Together are a part of a simple series of favorite songs translated into a board books perfect for babies and toddlers. I really enjoy Caroline Jayne Church’s illustration style.
The More We Get Together by Caroline Jayne Church
Basher 1, 2, 3 by Simon Basher
Basher books are so kooky. And so fun! We like reading this Basher 1, 2, 3 book and Basher A, B, C.
I Spy Under the Sea by Edward Gibbs
“I spy with my little eye” picture book guessing game with sea animals. Also incorporates counting down from 10 to 1.
I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this book yet! We’ve been reading it whenever it’s available to check out. The most cleaver, interactive picture book I’ve ever read. And one of my favorites to suggest to kids. I love how big their eyes get when I read them the first couple pages. It doesn’t seem to ever stay on the shelf for very long.
The Game of Light by Herve Tullet
Another favorite of ours by the same author of the interactive story Press Here. This book should only be told in the dark with a flashlight. See the story play out on your ceiling.
***’Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. Since I work in the children’s room of a public library, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***
15
Aug
Liar & Spy
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Published: Wendy Lamb Books, imprint of Random House, August 2012
Recommended Age: 9 & up
In a Nutshell: I have an author crush on Rebecca Stead- this is no secret. When You Reach Me is up there as an all-time favorite, her Newbery Medal acceptance is something I go back to and read all the time (excerpt found here), I’m constantly recommending her books to kids and adults at the library (even my husband recently read When You Read Me in an evening and is now a fan), and I also enjoy checking in on her blog regularly.
You can imagine I was very excited to claim my library copy of her latest, Liar & Spy. The first reader to crack the spine.
Georges (pronounced George, named after the famous pointillist Georges Saurt) isn’t the most popular kid at school. Of course a name like Georges doesn’t help the situation either. To add to his troubles his father lost his job and his family has to relocate to a new (and let’s face it, not as cool) apartment in Brooklyn. The day they move into their new home, Georges meets Safer, an energetic, yet bizarre boy his age who drinks coffee out of a flask. Safer also has a Spy Club. At least he does now that Georges is in the picture. Spy Club and Georges and Safer’s friendship starts to evolve as they start to investigate a mysterious apartment tenant, Mr. X. Whether it’s the school bullies or Spy Club missions, Georges starts to test his comfort levels and unveil the mystery of his fortitude.
With characters so real I felt as if they lived next door and a story told with such voice and soul, I couldn’t put it down. Upon finishing the book at four in the morning, as I did with the middle grade books Wonder and Okay for Now earlier this year, I was not tired. Quite to the opposite. I was alive.
Well done, Rebecca Stead… Well done.
Perfect For: Middle grade mystery lovers, realistic fiction readers, and of course Rebecca Stead fans.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Kid Lit Frenzy, Chicago Tribune
11
Aug
Reading Tween
Too old for kids books, too young to read teen fiction?
The last installment of the Summer Book Hook is devoted to that in-between age group, the tweenagers. I selected some of most talked about and most recommended books by tweens over this past summer sprinkled in with a few recommendations of my own. Other than Harry Potter (naturally), below are a few great reads for kids not quite ready to make the jump into reading young adult fiction…
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Apothocary by Malie Meloy
The Only Ones by Aaron Starmer
Stormbreaker (The Alex Rider series) by Anthony Horowitz
Eight Grade is Making Me Sick by Jennifer L. Holm
Beauty by Robin McKinley
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Eragon (Inheritance series) by Christopher Paolini
Warp Speed by Lisa Yee
The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
Hope Was Here Joan Bauer
Two great resources for tween recommended reading: Welcome to My Tweendom and The All-Time Best Books for Tweens by Parents.com.
Previous Summer Book Hook posts:
Get a Clue! Middle Grade Mysteries
Looking For Your Next Magical Adventure
Season’s Readings: Librarian selected books featured in Lawrence Kids Magazine
Summer Survival Guide for Wimpy Kids Fans
Looking for books for toddlers age kids and younger? Check out this board book list or the Reading Together picture book lists.
And that’s it! I’m hoping to have a non-fiction favorites feature, “Fall Into Non-Fiction”, here in the near future. I really wanted to include one in the Summer Book Hook, but alas ran out of time. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer of reading. Here in Lawrence school starts next week… where did the summer go? I hope these tips and the Summer Book Hook reading lists were helpful. I know I enjoyed putting them together and sharing them with you and yours.
RIP Summer! Vive le Fall!!
8
Aug
Cardboard
Published: Scholastic, August, 2012
Recommended Age: 10 & up
In a Nutshell: If you could make anything out of cardboard what would you make? What would you do if you later find what you made comes to life? Cardboard is an action-packed graphic novel about a boy and his father, a piece of mysterious magical cardboard, and what happens when that cardboard falls into the wrong hands.
This is a story about good vs. evil, transformation, and hope. As I was reading it, I knew this was a book the library kids would go for. The story is exciting, has depth, is imaginative, and the illustrations are incredible.
My only negative about this book was that Marcus, the “bad kid”, had a gothic and peculiar appearance, and then **spoiler alert** in the end when he cleans-up his act it is accompanied by a new “normal”, boy-next-door appearance. It gives the impression that alternative=villain and clean-cut=good guy. That was my take on it. It certainly did not make or break the book for me, but it was something to note.
Other than that I think Cardboard is a top-notch read!
Perfect For: Superhero comic fans and the graphic novel series, Amulet.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Kirkus Review
1
Aug
Summer Book Hook: Get a clue!
The past couple of Summer Books Hook posts have been recommendations for popular middle grade series. Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Greg Hessey the Wimpy Kid have all made appearances, but now it’s time to get a clue on read-alikes for readers who enjoyed reading the extremely popular The Mysterious Benedict Society! With the release of the newest edition to the series, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict, these books are vanishing off the library’s book shelf.
Oh so mysteriously, mysterious….
If you like The Mysterious Benedict Society series, why not try….
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach
The Name of this Book is Secret (Secret series) by Pseudonymous Bosch
A Whole Nother Story (A Whole Nother Story series) by Dr. Cuthbert Soup
The Case of the Missing Marquess (Enola Holmes Mystery series) by Nancy Springer
The Mysterious Howling (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place) by Maryrose Wood
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen ( The Puzzling World of Winston Breen series) by Eric Berlin
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
The Seven Professors of the Far North (The Seven Professors of the Far North series) by John Fardell
Previous Summer Book Hook booklists and entries can be found HERE!
27
Jul
See You at Harry’s
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles
Published: Candlewick Press, May 2012
Recommended Age: 10 & up
In a Nutshell: Twelve-year-old Fern is feeling anything but the love. Her three-year-old nuisance of a brother Charlie will not leaver her alone. Older brother, Holden, a freshman in high school, is having a hard time at school and keeps running off, refusing to talk to anyone (even Fern) about it. Sarah, the eldest has been aggravated since her friends went off to college, leaving everyone else in the house to cope with her grumpiness.
On top of that, their father devotes most of his time and “creativity” into running their family-operated restaurant, Harry’s; of which some of his entrepreneurial marketing idea’s involve the whole family. Yikes! This means Fern’s mother is always trying to keep the peace. The only person in Fern’s life who gives her a little relief is her friend Ran, a friend she’s growing to like in a ‘more-than-a-friend’ way.
With the entire family submerged in their own agendas and issues, one event turns everything they know upside down and it’s up to them to mend the pieces back together – even if the picture doesn’t look exactly how it looked before.
I read some fantastic middle grade literature over the summer, and really, this entire year thus far. See You At Harry’s joins the ranks. An unbelievable, stay-up-all-night must-read.
Perfect For: Tweens with a knack for realistic fiction.
Don’t Take My Word For It: Kids Indie Next Summer 2012 Pick, Welcome to my Tweendom,
26
Jul
Throwback Thursday: The Snow Spider
The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo
Published: Dutton Books, 1986, Orchard Books (Imprint of Scholastic), 2006
Recommended Age: 9 & up
In a Nutshell: On Gwyn’s 5th birthday, his older sister, Bethan, tragically disappeared. Four years later, still ridden with guilt over her disappearance, his slightly cooky grandmother gives him five unusual presents. Presents she believes will not only invoke Gywn’s inner magician, but lead him to Bethan.
Throwback: I had a dream a few weeks ago of a crystal spider. I was certain it was a book I read when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, so I searched the library. Lo and behold there it was! I’m glad we still have the old cover, because I’ve seen the newer cover dozens of times from previously working in a bookstore some years ago and it never registered. The story was creepy and bizarre then and it was creepy and bizarre to re-read – and I love it. Obviously, it has an affect on me since I’m dreaming about it 20 years later.
Perfect For: Yesterday, I wrote a post about kids looking for their next magical adventure. This book would fit in perfectly with that crowd.
Reprint Cover: The picture above is the original cover. Below is the modern take on this neo-classic fantasy.
