BIRD COUNT by Susan Edwards Richmond

I've always been fascinated by the work of John James Audubon, most especially his Birds of America prints. The details and color are glorious to me! I suppose I became especially intrigued by his work after reading A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole. 

And when I attended ALA Annual this past summer, I came upon some of these prints in Washington, DC. I walked from frame to frame, as happy as can be. 

So when I learned about this upcoming picture book about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, my interest was piqued to say the least! 

Cover image courtesy of Peachtree Publishers

Bird Count (Peachtree, 2019) is a picture book telling the story of a girl named Ava - - a budding young scientist about to participate in the Christmas Bird Count with her family. Readers see as she prepares for the day, bundling up, expressing her excitement. As Ava narrates the events of the day, she teaches readers about the bird count: how the count operates in teams and the routes they follow. Ava tells readers that birds aren't just found in the forest -- indeed they can be in many places! (A fact that young readers will be very intrigued by!)

And then we learn that Ava is now not only counting the birds, but she is also keeping the tally on her family trip, something she is proud to do. 

And here is one of the absolutely brilliant features of this story: the right side of the double page spread (the recto) now includes a page from Ava's notebook. With each page turn, we see her tallies and the names of the birds. The names of the birds are bold-faced in the text. A scientist at work! What a fabulous mentor text for science notebooks! 

Readers listen in on the conversations , the observations -- seemingly simple, but so very scientific, too. This is citizen science unfolding within a story -- teaching while also entertaining. 

As the story progresses, we see how the count is a community event, a time of gathering, sharing, and tradition. I found it all so delightful and wished I could participate, too. In fact, author Susan Edwards Richmond (in a very informative author's note), lets us know how we can take part, too. Richmond participates in the count each year, and in the note, she explains its background. I learned so much!

Author Susan Edwards
Photo courtesy of Peachtree Publishers

Not only was I delighted by the story, but I appreciated the art as well. Stephanie Fizer Coleman's illustrations are soft and playful, conveying the beauty and peace of nature -- showing what makes the count so very special. My eyes found so much to enjoy. The last double page spread, portraying the day's end, is my favorite--- We see the count participants wrapping things up, enjoying toasted marshmallows, reading by the fire, enjoying hot chocolate.  We see that science and nature can be celebrated and shared. We see that nature can bring people together.

I highly recommend this picture book! Bird Count is a treasure for scientists/readers of all ages. I have added this one to my next book order.

*Please see the back matter of this book (listing the birds found in the story). I especially appreciate that Edwards refers readers to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology I participated in an AASL webinar with them and thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Bird Count will be released on Oct. 1, 2019. 

Cover Reveal: FLY ON THE WALL by Remy Lai

Dear readers,

I am SO excited and grateful to be taking part in this cover reveal today for Remy Lai, an author whose first work I absolutely LOVED Pie in the Sky (Macmillan, 2019).

Pie in the Sky, a middle grade novel by Remy Lai, is an exceptional story about a boy whose family has moved to a new country after the loss of their father. Not only does the main character have to deal with this tragedy, but he also must learn English and adjust to a new country, new school, etc. Lai tells this story so very well, and it is funny, poignant, and powerful all at once! I highly recommend it!

So, because I loved Pie in the Sky so much, I am thrilled to be sharing the cover for Lai's next novel: Fly on the Wall (release date is May 15, 2020). Many thanks to Macmillan Books for Children for this honor!

Read more about the new book here: FLY ON THE WALL by Remy Lai.

I can't wait until May to read this book! I am DEFINITELY adding it to my TBR pile!

Cover image courtesy of Macmillan Children's books 

SEA BEAR by Lindsay Moore

Moore, L. Sea bear: a journey for survival. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2019. Print.

When I first read this nonfiction picture book, one word came to mind:  JOURNEYS. As educators, we are each on our own unique journey, and our students are on their own journey as well. Each journey is filled with stories, experiences, and moments, and many of these stories are never shared. 

In Sea Bear, a polar bear is sharing her own story as she journeys through the ice. Using poetic language, rich with both detail and smoothness, this polar bear talks to the reader, explaining her goals, her purpose. She tells us about herself and gives us a glimpse into her struggles. We see the weather change and we marvel at her perseverance. By the last few pages, we are invested - in her, and in her success. Reading this book is a lesson both on behaviors of a polar bear, but also in determination.

I appreciate the word choice and text placement (see double page spread when spring arrives). I also appreciate the calming voice of this polar bear narrator, and that the last page is hope-filled.

I should also mention the colors in the illustrations-- In fact, I don't think I have ever seen so many rich and varying hues of blue, each so natural and lovely.

Sea Bear would be a nice title to include in a study of habitat, animal behaviors, arctic animals, or environment. As a mentor text, I think it is especially suited to that.

Available now!

Many thanks to HarperCollins for the review copy!

THE LIBRARY OF EVER by Zeno Alexander

This fantasy middle grade is fast-paced! Lenora escapes both boredom and a not-so-nice nanny by running into the library. There she finds plenty to keep her busy-- in the form of many magical challenges and adventures. Each adventure requires bravery and knowledge- and with the completion of each, she earns a new title to add to her badge. Readers who love adventure and fantasy will appreciate this one-- It never slows down!

This is the first in a series. 

Although I read a review copy, this book is available now!

Thank you, Imprint Books (Macmillan) for the advance copy! 

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.