Ring the Bell, Josiah Got his Library Card. It's Monday, What are You Reading? October 27, 2014

It's Monday! What are you Reading is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN

My family celebrated a big event this week. My four year old grandson, Josiah signed up for his first library card. Of course we had to stop and take photographs and immediately send to everyone we knew. I was so disappointed in the librarian at the public library because she just shoved some papers to his mom and didn't make any fuss about it. If it had been me, I would have rang a bell and insisted everyone stop and clap for him. This, of course, is why I am a school librarian. We love to make a big deal out of our students reading successes and encourage them through their reading struggles.


Here are some of the books we check out and read and some that I bought to add to my library collection this week.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
The Pigeon has decided he wants and must have a puppy so after much begging, pleading, and throwing a fit, he gets a puppy but it not quite what he expected.


I am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems
Piggie is invited to a party and since Gerald knows parties he helps Piggie prepare for the best fancy, costume, pool party ever.





Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog by Mini Grey
Josiah picked this out but it wasn't a favorite of either of ours.





It's an Orange Aardvark! by Michael Hall
Five carpenter ants wonder and worry what is outside their tree stump. What if it is a long tongue ant eating aardvark? There is only one way to find out. Drill a little hole and take a look see.





Frozen: A Sister More Like Me by Barbara Jean Hicks
Pleasantly surprised by this title. I knew I needed a Frozen book in my library collection. There have been so many requests for one. Told in dual voice, the sisters share their admiration and affection with each other. I predict it will become the hottest check out in the library.


...and giving Frozen some serious competition in the check out line will be this adorable title.

Ninja Boy Goes to School by N.D. Wilson
Bright, colorful, and a favorite topic-ninjas. This book is sure to be a favorite among my students. 








Blue Moon by James Ponti
I bought Blue Moon, a sequel to a very popular Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee title-Dead City by James Ponti. I look forward to reading it this week and know it will be a hot check out.





Texas Librarian Naomi Bates posted a terrific list on her blog. Check it out: 
Great places to keep up with YA and Children's Books!

Happy Reading!

Book Fair Reads: It's Monday, What are You Reading, October 6, 2014

It's Monday! What are you Reading is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN

The Scholastic Book Fair has arrived in my library and is off to a record beginning. I am usually such a worry wart about sales every year because the elementary/middle school where I serve as librarian is very small-less than 200 students. I also work with university students so I am able to host a very customized book fair featuring books from babies to young adults. This is so wonderful because I am able to request some very good books and goodies too. 
  
Once again Minecraft books and UV Spy Pens are my top sellers but getting very strong competition from the new iMarker set that looks exactly like an iPhone. All good bookfair organizers know that the fastest way to sell a book is to book talk or read it aloud. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds flew off the shelves and sold out on day 1 along with Bugs in My Hair by David Shannon. 


Here are a few books that I have been reading aloud this week: 

Bugs in My Hair! by David Shannon
David Shannon introduces the subject of head lice in a humorous way that leaves us laughing and scratching our itchy heads while letting us know that we can get rid of the pesky critters without feeling embarrassed.

Llama Llama Trick or Treat by Anna Dewdney
Short, simple rhyming board book featuring Llama Llama deciding what to be for Halloween. 



I also read some preschool books with a Halloween theme called Hoot, Little Green Monsters, and Trick or Treat. 
 

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
I love this story as a library read aloud because of the predictability factor and its funny. I paired it with Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candice Fleming. This is the adoreable type of book that has you pretending creepy carrots are following you around.
 

I received this in my restock shipment. 
(The trick to a successful book fair is the Scholastic Restock team. I always phone in my orders and pick their brains for hot sellers, new releases, and books they like. I keep a long list on my desk of books I wish I could get and the Restock Team often makes my wishes come true!)
I am flying through it. I love reading about Four through a new perspective-his own. 




I am doing so much book talking this week that the books begin to blur together. There are so many books that I would like to stop and read but the customer flow has been non-stop. I suppose I will have to wait until pack up day to read the rest. 

Happy Reading!