THIS BOOK OF MINE by Sarah Stewart and David Small

Sometimes it is difficult for me to put my love for books into words. Why do I love books? How has reading become such an integral part of my life? I do this from time to time in posts here and there, in conversations in the library, but I never do it well enough. 

Perhaps that is why I appreciate this upcoming book so much. 

This Book of Mine -- at least in my librarian opinion-- is a sweet, compact, and classic ode to books. It starts with a girl leaving the library with a book, then goes on to show --with succinct, perfectly stated verses-- the many ways we love books: as friends, as companions for the night, as inspiration for our own works, and more. The pages feature various readers of all ages finding joy, imagination, and treasures in books. The book is told in first person, so that as we read it aloud, we are actually reading it as ourselves, agreeing to every phrase, and saying, as I did -- "Yes, yes!"

Readers will take these pages to heart, and indeed claim with appreciation the very words in the title -- not only to repeat it-- but to state it-- for every good book they have loved. For those who don't quite love books yet, the book will show their potential and serve as an invitation.

I appreciated the mostly purple-hued illustrations -- and I noted how Caldecott Medalist David Small used a different color within each spread to highlight the book on the page. The front endpapers have a built-in book plate so that - if you purchase it - you can write your name in it. Kids will love this! Also see the cover: two readers comfortably immersed in books. You can read with friends! You can read with those you care about! This is something you can share. 

Do you love the book The Library (also by Sarah Stewart & David Small)? I do. And I love this book just as much.  

There are many ways this book could be used in the classroom (example: introduction to reader's workshop) or library (a welcome back!) And I have thought of a use for it in my own life -- of course in the library - but also if someone were to ask me why I love books. When someone asks me why I read all the time, I can share THIS book with them. 

When I read This Book of Mine aloud to myself, it is rather like a vow or promise I making to myself-- to keep reading forever and ever. And I will. 

This Book of Mine written and illustrated by husband and wife team Sarah Stewart and David Small will be available August, 27, 2019. Thank you, Macmillan Books, for the review copy! 

Bruce's Big Fun Day by Ryan T. Higgins

Higgins, Ryan T. (2019). Bruce's Big Fun Day. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion, 32 pages.

When I picked this one up at TLA this past spring, I cannot tell you how happy I was! Our readers absolutely love Bruce books! How great that Disney Hyperion added an early reader to the collection! Bruce will grow with his readers.

In this book, Nibs (the mouse) really wants Bruce to cheer up, so he plans a day of fun activities for them: breakfast in bed, a walk, a picnic, a boat ride, swimming, and more! But the activities don't go exactly as planned, and Bruce is still grumpy at every turn. This is where the illustrations steal the show because they lend more information to the text and readers will see exactly how it all goes wrong!

Nibs is a good friend to want to cheer Bruce up, and Bruce is a good friend for going along-- even though he doesn't feel like doing so. Or does he? (See the ending!)

This early reader has chapters with opening pages that give clues about each part of the story, while also featuring full page spreads and panels. Readers will recognize other characters from Higgins' picture books, too.

This title could be added to so many themed lists: friendship, emotions,  perseverance -- to name a few. It would also make a great bedtime read-aloud --especially since it ends with a bedtime story.

When sharing this book with readers, I might ask (as an opener): How do you cheer up your best friend? What does it take to cheer YOU up?

This one is available now! Make sure to read all of the other Bruce picture books if you haven't already!

Two Picture Books I've Read Recently

I love reading picture books -- as any readers of my blog will know - but I ESPECIALLY love reading them in the summer time. There's more time to sit with them, get to know them, read them, and take in every word. There's also more time to spend absorbing the artwork, and I turn the pages a bit more slowly, usually turning right back to the front when I finish it the first time. 

And in the back of my mind, I am also ALWAYS looking for that great book to share with readers at the beginning of the year. 

With all of this in mind, I wanted to share these two titles:

Juniper (a raccoon) doesn't like being small. Her size gets in the way of fun and life! So she puts her brain to work and comes up with a contraption that is sure to be the solution. (This was the Makerspace element of the book that I especially liked!) Does her plan work? Well, of course I won't answer that because I don't like spoilers! In the rest of the story, however, she makes a new friend named Clove. After living in Clove's world for a bit, Juniper sees things differently. I appreciated this sweet story of gratitude, perspective, and friendship. This picture book would make a lovely read-aloud! Look for it July 23rd from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Thank you for sending, Macmillan Children's! Read more about Aidan Cassie here.

Although it is the middle of summer, as an educator I can't help but think about the beginning of school. For so many children, this will be their first FIRST day of school. How special a day this will be!! The King of Kindergarten (Nancy Paulsen, 2019) is about this momentous day -- from the perspective of a boy gearing up for it! I appreciate so many things about this picture book, but, to start, the voice of the story is delightful! The "King of Kindergarten" is the main character, and he is giving himself a rousing pep talk as he plans for about his day: thinking about getting ready, what he will wear, eat for breakfast, and the ride to school in a "big yellow carriage". With this kingdom theme, our sweet main character is fully confident for the first day -- not scared at all! Readers can hear that his mother has prepped him for the day as so many mothers and father do, telling them how great it will be, and he has taken it to heart! One of the other parts of the story I appreciate is how the boy plans to show kindness and courage. He will invite a fellow classmate to play, and he will share his extra dessert. It's a celebratory, delightful picture book filled with the joy that we would want all of our children to experience on the first day of school. Written by Derrick Barnes, the author of Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut (a 2019 Newbery Honor winner, among many other awards), The King of Kindergarten celebrates its book birthday today! Read more about illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton here. The artwork radiates with joy, and every page made me smile.

Three Picture Books to Check Out

Summer! More time for reading, planning, reflecting, and (most definitely) reading! 

So as I rest from the school year, I am plowing through my book stacks! I wanted to share some titles here that I have recently enjoyed -- not necessarily summer books, but books I am taking note of to share with teachers and fellow librarians -- and of course, with kids, in August. 

Matheson, C. (2019). Bird Watch. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 48 pages. 

Bird Watch by Christie Matheson (Harper Children's, 2019)  is a lovely nature walk captured within the pages of a picture book. If you're hiking and taking treks through woods, this is a good one to pick up and take a look at beforehand. But you don't have to be outside to enjoy it! It's also, quite delightfully, a seek-and-find sure to inspire more bird watching. This one is out now! Thank you for sending, @HarkerKids! 

Quintero, I. (2019). My papi has a motorcycle. (Z. Peña, Illus.) New York, NY: Kokila Books, 40 pages. 

This one brought back good memories from my childhood! My grandparents -- no matter what-- always had a fresh paper bag filled with pan dulce on their kitchen table every Sunday morning. My Papi Has a Motorcycle (Kokila Books, 2019) is a the story of a father-daughter motorcycle ride through their neighborhood, passing by a panaderia (much like the one from my memories). Their ride is joyful, and I appreciated the girl's love of her home, showing how children find good and fun  things in their surroundings. I also appreciated the dynamic color palette in the illustrations! 

Amato, M. (2019). Perfect. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 48 pages. 

Pencil and Eraser are always thought of as a pair! The two are definitely different! 

In this adventure, Eraser learns that sometimes change is good, and sometimes getting out of your comfort zone makes for magic and fun! Also included is a subtle message about perfectionism! I'm thinking it will inspire some pencil and eraser drawings much like the ones in the book. I am definitely planning a reread of this one, and I think it's a great addition to your "back-to-school" book list! 

I will be rereading these picture books! Of course!

What other picture books have I blogged about? Check out another post here!

What I've Been Reading Lately

Here's what I've been reading lately! It's a mix of lovely things!

Around this time of year, we start looking for that perfect graduation gift book! That's what I thought when I first read through this rhyming picture book! The narrative is general, but the illustrations tell the story of a penguin who grows up surrounded by other animals who care about him and send him off to a life across the ocean. It's super sweet and would make a great read-aloud from parent to child upon the occasion of a graduation. The inside front cover also has a "to. . " and "from . . " space for signing. (From HarperCollins).  

Opening Day was a month or so ago, but I still want to share this picture book biography of Yogi Berra. His famous quotes are used as page headings in a really clever way, and the front and back covers are so well designed. You feel as if you are standing in close proximity to this baseball great. Engaging and inviting, you don't have to be a baseball fan to love this book. (From Boyds Mills & Kane)

Here are some other books I am reading right now: 

I will be blogging about Pie in the Sky this week as it publishes on May 14th! I've recommended it to my librarian friends, and cant stop thinking about it. 

What are you reading right now? 

Looking for Picture books? Here Are Three I've Enjoyed Recently!

First, books! 

This picture book from HMH Kids is due out on 4/2/19.

Newbery Winner Linda Sue Park gives us a story of a unique dragon whose father is from the East and whose mother is from the West. She honors both sides by recounting each parent’s traits, talents, and heritage. Gondra asks her parents questions as she goes about her day, beginning with a breakfast of "dragon puffs" and ending with a bedtime story "Night Night, Knight".  At its heart, this is a family story, light and told with heart.

Also, these illustrations are like none I have ever seen before!

Bears love honey, of course! But they don't like waiting for it. In this picture book by David Ezra Stein (author of Interrupting Chicken, Ice Boy, and more) tells us the story of a bear searching for honey, and though not finding it immediately, seeing and experiencing so many lovely things along the way. Honey (Nancy Paulsen, 2018) is  a story of expectancy and the joy that comes as you wait for those special moments in life. The illustrations are delightful, and it can be used to help children understand that waiting for something can be fun, too. 

This was my read-aloud for second grade a couple of weeks ago! So delightful and endearing, Can I Be Your Dog? (Random House, 2018) will make YOU want to adopt a dog, too! 

Arfy writes a letter/note to each of the places (homes and business) on his street asking them all the same question: "Can I be your dog?" With each letter, he tailors his reasoning (he promises to help the butcher shop lady with cleaning the floor). Each recipient passes on taking him in until someone unexpected steps up! (I had our students write letters in Arfy's voice, and received some lovely writing! This is also a great way to introduce persuasive writing!)

I've enjoyed sharing these lovely picture books with you here! Plenty more to come soon! 

Now, for the shoes!

These are the shoes I am looking for right now: rose gold slip-on sneakers! 

What books are you reading? What shoes are you loving right now? 

St. Patrick's Day Makerspace Challenge

 We weren't in school on St. Patrick's Day, so I decided to bring in some of the "green" on the Friday before Spring Break. I thought it would be a great tie-in with our #Makerspace.

I started with a book -- of course!

Fleiss, Sue. How to Trap a Leprechaun. Illus. by Emma Randall. New York: Sky Pony, 2017.

This one was a quick and delightful read-aloud, showing the story of four kids working together to build a leprechaun trap in hopes of being granted a big wish! I loved the planning and persistence.  One of the kids draws a sketch, and I especially appreciated this detail in the book because I always have our makers draw out their plan before building. Together, the kids collaborate to carry out the plan, taking out gold paint for their rocks, and listing (poetically) materials one might need. Also, when I read the book in my library, I asked readers to notice all of the rainbows. I think there was one on every page!


I also created this simple Google slide on a presentation I carry over each week. I started the presentation on our first day of makerspace explaining norms, reminders, and ways to use materials, etc. It is a reminder to me of everything we have done throughout the year. (I know the slide is not too elaborate. But it's just enough!)

I laid out materials on tables: pipe cleaners, cardboard, paper, straws, ribbons, stickers, masking tape. Normally, I have a cart for this, but I wanted to give room for everyone to come take what they needed. 

Here are a few of the traps they created! 

As you can see, our learners made some elaborate traps! One of them had a lid that was pulled down with a ribbon. Each learner explained their trap to the group or to me, and their thinking was absolutely amazing! They used the materials to represent devices and parts, and their was NO shortage of imagination here. 

I will definitely repeat this one next year and add another facet to it to make it better. 

Now on to the next Makerspace this Friday. I am so excited to see what our makers make next! 

Need an idea for a St. Patrick's Day book display? Click here.