Styling Librarian: What are you reading? 7/16/12

Thanks to: TeachMentorTexts for the inspiration! Thanks to Jen and Kellee for the meme!  I do so love keeping track of my reading and sharing with others each week. Personally, having this blog vs. just having a written book journal (which I still keep) and logging thoughts on Goodreads is a tremendously rewarding outlet. I am flattered connecting with other amazing bloggers and book reviewers in addition to connecting with other teacher librarians and fabulous educators from around the world!

This week I’ve been able to focus simply on picture books and one novel. Packing up life and getting rid of most of our belongings is honestly quite distracting. – We fly out to Hong Kong on Friday, excited to begin a new chapter in our family’s life. Curious about more on the Hong Kong move? There’s a tab at the top of the page!

PICTURE BOOK OVERLOAD:

Meet Me at the Moon by Gianna Marino – Such a touching, beautiful peaceful story of love and a mother elephant who had to go and call for rain and leave her baby behind…

I Spy with My Little Eye by Edward Gibbs – My son loved the simplicity yet fantastic peek through I-spy animals in this book. And I could tell he adored reading it to me. He actually said, “and what do you predict the animal to be mommy?”

Pip’s Trip and The Loopy Coop Hens by Janet Morgan Stoeke – Fantastic and hilarious take on chickens at a farmyard. Loved both of these books, especially that they were both “chapter” books. I think they’re quite approachable for the young child who wants to be successful with initial reading and additionally quite entertaining for the adult reading the book!

Arthur’s Dream Boat by Polly Dunbar – What a gorgeous book that could be read simply by the amazing illustrations alone. I loved the simplicity of a little boy trying to make sure people were listening to him!

More by I.C. Springman, Illustrated by Brian Lies – What a beautiful, fantastic, perfect book. The illustrations partnered with simple text had myself reading this book four times happily with my son. A crow gathering things and getting too much… such a perfect message. Reminds me of some other books I’ve read recently with characters who have way too much and learn to just pass things on to others! This book deserves accolades. Acknowledgements. Awards!!

A Leaf Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Violeta Dabija – Completely beautiful book that felt informative and lyrical at the same time. The peaceful illustrations pulled you through the book and the information provided at the end of the book was the cherry topping!

Mooshka A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis – I’d partner this book with any reading for kids anxious about siblings entering their house AND additionally with any quilt reading stories. It was beautiful. The quilt that can talk and tell stories and help a little girl fell happy at night… Completely thought this book was fantastic.

Gem by Holly Hobbie – I was so very excited that Holly Hobbie came out with a new book. Little did I know how gorgeous the format would be. A lovely letter from a grandmother in the beginning, a wordless picture book in the middle, and a thoughtful letter from a granddaughter at the end. The story following a toad and then the informative back portion about toads was a beautiful completion of the book. I think I’d partner this with Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo since children in both books think about having a creature as a pet and then decide to release them instead. Here’s my favorite Holly Hobbie so far which is saying a lot, I’m a huge fan. I think this one could be a Caldecott contender…

Three by the Sea by Mini Grey – I’m still thinking about this beautiful picture book. I’ve been trying to understand the message, author intent, and although I loved the book, I’m not there yet. I did love the point on friendship and how you grow in friendship so that you’re not pigeonholed into one life but blossom together with the help of friendships… My son on the other hand was quite certain that something had to be happening in regards to the food chain since there was a dog, cat, and mouse all living together getting along. He didn’t think that would last long at the beginning of the story. (I love when he predicts what will happen.)

Augustine by Melanie Watt – I always adore any book written and illustrated by Melanie Watt and this adorable book about a penguin moving from the South to North Pole was no exception. I slowed down and enjoyed each quilted type illustration on the left of the pages and then enjoyed the story develop about how Augustine’s art appreciation and talent help him transition into his new school. Completely enjoyed every minute of this book!

Eddie Gets Ready For School by David Milgrim – Completely hilarious book with many illustrator humorous components… perfect get ready to go to school type of book to help any child transition!

NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHIES:

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Melissa Sweet - Completely beautiful picture book from start to finish. I loved the time period with people’s curiosity about pandas and also strong female presence in this story, standing up for her rights and carving the way for other women. I did honestly have a tiny bit of a problem with a little baby panda plucked out of the forest and moved to a new environment. But again, that was the time period, approach, and fascination at that time.

Words Set Me Free – The Story of Young Frederick Douglass by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James E. Ransome – Beautiful celebration on the life of Frederick Douglass growing up and growing into the leader he was… Goodreads Summary:

Chuck Close – Face Book by Chuck Close – Utter brilliance, too much amazing artistry to be confined to one book. I loved the middle portion of the book, the persistence and creativity of the artist, and the inspiration of creating art even after a devastating physical experience. Highly recommend for anyone who has a child 4th grade through high school interested in art. The question and answer section of the book was perfect and the one area of the book I raised my eyebrow at was so quickly and properly addressed I was quite impressed. Wow.

*Not quite biography, but has biographical references…:
Minette’s Feast- The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat by Susanna Reich, Illustrated by Amy Bates – My son and I really found this book interesting. It had beautiful rhythmic language, repeated patterns, and developed the life of Julia Child in a friendly manner through the perspective of her cat’s interest in her cooking. I loved this book. Perfect book to accompany a discussion on the brilliance of Julia Child. I would partner with Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland.

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace - Very cute continuation of a beautiful story… loved the cultural differences and appreciation that were presented throughout the book. Goodreads Summary:

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown – This book is basically a graphic novel that takes the idea of Darth Vader raising Anakin as a little boy to a hilarious extreme. I enjoyed every minute of this read – and chuckled and laughed through all of it with many favorite ones I had to go back and enjoy again.
I recently blogged about this book and Critical Thinking here: http://thestylinglibrarian.com/2012/07/12/styling-librarian-slow-down-think-reflect-books-life-eyes-and-star-wars/ 

HIGH SCHOOL/ADULT:

The Letter Q: Queer Writers’ Notes to their Younger Selves by Sarah Moon – Wow, this book is packed with reflective life moments. To be able to write a letter to your younger self took so many twists and turns through each writer’s point of view through this book… I was quite overwhelmed with all the brilliance of it. I felt like a better person by the conclusion of the book.

Want more book ideas and reviews? – Yes, I’m quite brief, but a prolific reader!  Please visit me at Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1941055-the-styling-librarian

Also, please follow this blog through email updates – (do so to the right of this blog post), my Facebook page, comment, or meet up with me on Twitter. I appreciate all of the support, makes my day! Honored by all the wonderful followers.