Kevin Henkes Book Display

Sometimes I get ideas for book displays as I am walking around my library. Sometimes I get them from my Twitter feed. Recently, I learned on Twitter that Kevin Henkes had published 50 books! (Read more about it here.) And I wondered how many of the 50 books I had in the library. 

As I was pulling the books, I realized how lovely and different they all were. And because there are many Kevin Henkes fans at my school, I thought I would display them prominently. 

With almost every display, I usually create a sign explaining the tie-in or theme. But for this display, I never got around to it. I just put up the books, and told myself I would create something on Canva later that afternoon.

But then the books started circulating -- even though I had never put up the sign. Late in the week, a fourth grader did ask: "What's going on with Kevin Henkes?" I replied, "He published his 50th book." "Cool, " the fourth grader replied, and then he checked out three of the books. 

As the week went by, I saw teachers walk over to the shelf and pick up the books to read while their classes visited. I saw smiles as they turned the pages. 

I also noticed readers who were having trouble deciding what book to read found their answer in the Henkes books. Once they came upon them, their decision was easy. 

There are many authors I am grateful for, but this week in particular, I am grateful to Kevin Henkes -- for all the books he has provided our readers -- no matter how old. 

I realize now the display needed no sign. All it need was readers! 

Have you read the 50th book, Egg? I highly recommend it! 

SKUNKED by Jacqueline Kelly

I still remember when I first met Calpurnia Tate:

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Macmillan, 2009) was a memorable read because it was set in Texas, and because the main character is so interesting. Calpurnia loves exploring, science, and learning about animals, and her grandfather helps her do all of this, with lots of guidance and information. (I truly love how he nurtures her passion for learning!) I poured through this one very quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course it also won a Newbery Honor in 2010 (the year When You Reach Me won the Medal.) 

And I blogged about the second book The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate here. 

Now there is an early chapter book series (also published by Macmillan) about Calpurnia. The first installment in the series is: 

The cover is striking both for the color and the skunks! Indeed, the cover is so striking you may not realize there are skunks right in the middle of it! (Jennifer Myer is the illustrator). The rest of the book is also illustrated, and the back cover provides a preview cover photo of the next book in the series, Counting Sheep. 

I believe this book to be a "transitional" book: plenty of white space with a comfortable vocabulary. Very readable and truly a page-turner, the story follows Calpurnia's brother Travis and his attempt to keep an abandoned skunk hidden in his house.  Of course, Calpurnia helps him, finding great satisfaction in feeding Stinky with a milk bottle.  Travis has a dear heart for animals, and Calpurnia uses this opportunity to learn more about their care. (They even bathe Stinky using their mother's "fancy" soap! 

There are plenty of exciting moments in the story, and even some laugh-out-loud ones. Calpurnia's relationship with brother Travis is also one of the best parts of the book. Readers of the middle grade books will be glad to see Grandfather is in this story, as well as a bit of Texas history. 

Also, before you cover this one, make sure to check out the case cover! 

The next installment in the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet series is Counting Sheep (Macmillan, 2017) and is due out in April of this year. 

YOGA BUNNY by Brian Russo

If you read my previous post, you know that I have set a goal for 2017 to exercise more. And while this exercise plan mainly involves treks on the treadmill, perhaps one day it might include yoga. Perhaps this thought was inspired by a certain picture book I read recently:

Russo, Brian. Yoga Bunny.  New York: HarperCollins Children's, 2017. Print.

In this picture book, Bunny is very much into yoga. He starts the morning off with the forward fold. Then a few animals come by (Lizard, Fox, Bird) and each of them has a different problem (Lizard isn't a fan of mornings, Fox is in a rush, and Bird has the hiccups). To each of them, Bunny suggests yoga. But each refuses. Bunny is discouraged, but continues anyway. Eventually, each of the animal comes back to Bunny to try out yoga, feeling much better afterward. 

As I read the book, I noted the endpapers consisting of Bunny giving examples of yoga poses such as upward pushup, tree pose, boat pose, etc.). The dedication page "for my dad" is also lovely, showing a father and young bunny heading off to play baseball. 

The illustrations capture movement, and the pastel colors are suited for the yoga concept. 

Above all, this picture book shows the importance of taking a minute to pause in life and be mindful. 

Setting My Reading Goal

I've been visiting the gym almost every day of my winter break, with the exception of a day here there and  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was never packed, and finding a place to walk/run was never a problem. But when I visited today, nearly every treadmill was occupied and the parking lot was full! I found my spot and noted about how January makes us all want to get healthier and keep moving!

January is indeed a time many set goals in various areas of their lives and I have definitely set a goal to eat healthier and exercise more. I have decided upon a set number -- a set destination. When I get there I will know it. I am looking towards it and marking my progress along the way.

I have also set my reading goal. I set it for myself, and I find comfort in knowing that I can adjust it as needed throughout the year. I have set a goal every year for the past five years, and I have met my goal every year. (In 2016 my goals was 400 books and I surpassed that with 420!)  I have had friends cheer me on and encourage me, and when I hadn't made significant progress, I pushed myself. It was never a chore because I enjoyed the challenge. Now, I am hoping to apply the same determination and outlook to exercise. I am hoping there are parallels in reaching both goals!

My goal for 2017 is 500 books. I based that number on 2016's total, and my hope is that I can do better.

My exercise goal is to be consistent and stick to my program, and make exercise a part of my day.

So with this special time of year, I have begun working towards my reading goal of course, and I find that it is not difficult for me to remember the first books I completed the first few days of January. Here are my first three books of 2017 (in order of completion):

The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox

Skunked: Calpurnia Tate, Animal Doctor in Training by Jacqueline Kelly 

Gone Camping by Tamera Will Wissinger, illus. by Matthew Cordell 

These books were a great way for me start the year. I am still thinking about each of them and plan to blog about them soon. 

If you have set any reading or exercise goals, I wish you the best in reaching them! 

And I wish us all a great year of reading in 2017!