It's Monday, What are You Reading, July 14, 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

There were so many books that I wanted to read this spring but my students had first dibs on them. With #summerthrowdown in full swing, I have been able to dive into my Summer Reading Wish List.

The Selection series has been entertaining at best although the writing has been a bit goofy at times but sometimes I don't mind goofy.

I also read aloud some of these favorite character books to a group of mommies and their babies during my presentation on the importance of early literacy and family reading traditions.  

 

...and then because I was in a Pete the Cat mood, I read these too.

ARCs I have read this week:

Sleep Tight Little Bear by Britta Teckentrup

A little bear and his mother prepare for their long winter's nap of hibernation by visiting each of their friends to say good-night. I had an immediate positive feeling regarding this book. The pros were:  beautiful illustration, a sweet family story introducing the concept of hibernation, and I cannot resist a bear story. The cons were: I think the bears would probably eat those very same friends they were telling good-night especially in the spring when they woke up. 

I also read Pig and Small by Alex Latimer. Great title and an interesting little book about a pig and a bug trying to make their awkward friendship work.







My favorite book of the week:

Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: ARC received from Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky Kids
Release date: October 2014  
Realistic Fiction, ages: 9-13

I absolutely loved the story of Abigail and her terrible, horrible, no good, very bad sixth grade year. Abigail, the list maker and her two BFFs AlliCam (2 girls) have aspired to become pom pom girls since they first met in kindergarten. Disaster first strikes when Abigail is put in a different homeroom than AliCam and then her antiquated Language Arts teacher partners her up with the biggest loser in school. Ack!!!!

Always Abigail is told through a series of lists-funny, thought provoking, and much like the lists I used to find in my own daughter's room. I think it genuinely reflects the suffering, guilt, and angst a young girl can experience in her sixth grade year. I appreciated that Abigail had a very active conscience battling her daily.

Without a doubt, I will be purchasing a hard copy of this book for my school library collection. I think it can serve my young friends well.

I made a list of what I like about Always Abigail:

1. Abigail is an interesting, flawed, typical sixth grade girl striving to live up to her dreams while struggling with her conscience. 
2.  Ditto
3.  Ditto
4.  Ditto
5  Ditto
6.  Ditto 
7.  Ditto
8.  Ditto
9.  Ditto
10. Ditto

Getting ready for #virtualbookclub chat this Monday, July 14th at 8 p.m. EST. Join us!
I re-read A Snicker of Magic 

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet,charming story about a girl named Felicity Pickle and her destiny to lay down roots in the town where her mother grew up. A wonderful story of friendship and the importance of family. Read it and feel renewed by life.

This is going to be a great Twitter chat because we all loved the book so much. 

Currently reading:

Somebody on this Bus is Going to be Famous by J. B. Cheaney
Source: ARC received from Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky Kids
Release date: September 2014
Mystery, ages: 10-14







It has been a fun reading week. What are your reading?

Day 21-School

Picture Book Month Day 20 theme: Libraries and Librarians
Find out more about Picture Book Month here
Download the daily themed Picture Book Month Calendar. 
Become a Picture Book Ambassador or Blogger

Many teachers began their new school year by reading Pete the Cat-Rocking in My School Shoes.

In this book, Pete takes a ride on the school bus and heads off to a new year in school. 

He moves through his school day getting to know places like his classroom, the lunch room, the playground, and best of all-the LIBRARY! 

Watch Pete the Cat videos, print out activities, and more-Harper Collins Kids

Keep on reading because it's all good.

Success! #IMWAYR October 14, 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 at Teach Mentor Texts. 

What an exhausting week! I am totally Book Faired out! It was a great success and now we will be able to purchase many new wonderful books for our school library and for our classroom libraries. The Magic Wand pens shown below were my favorite gadget in the book fair. You can not believe the number of magical spells that were cast around the library this week-even the unforgivable spells. 

I have read so many books this past week. Z is for Moose is a preschool favorite.

Pete the Cat ruled my bookfair. I only wish I could have gotten Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes to share with all the new preschool kiddos and the Teacher Ed students. I worked very hard to get copies of Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses. I ran out to Dollar Tree and picked up a couple of pairs of those giant size blue sunglasses to wear when reading aloud the story. Terrific read aloud. Another hit in the Pete the Cat treasure chest. 

Pete the Cat activities and downloads

I read a chapter or two two of my Al Capone Does My Homework each night. What a fun book. I am really enjoying it. I am reminded of the importance of keeping a good selection of mystery books in my library. Kids love mysteries. 

Time's up and time to watch my favorite PBS Sunday night shows. Happy Reading!

Book-a-paloosa #IMWAYR October 7, 2013

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 at Teach Mentor Texts. 

The sight of this truck brings smiles to everyone who sees it 

and the kid in all of us shouts "Hooray, the Book Fair is here!"

It took a lot of work but I finally got my Scholastic Book Fair all set. Thank goodness I have a large space to feature books and keep my library open for the students to continue using. 

Look at all these books! I was in reading heaven. I must have read one hundred books after setting up the fair. 

There are so many choices-it's a Book-a-palozza!

Scholastic now offers a book fair decorating kit which included this two sided Photo Op display and also an awesome Pharaoh's head piece.

The Pre-school and picture books  offered some terrific read aloud choices. The books shown here were favorites. I had the most fun reading Count the Monkeys the kids loved helping me scare away all characters in the books. They loved the ending. That Mac Barnett is one funny fellow.

Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus brought the house down. Everyone, including parents and teachers joined in singing along during read aloud time.

Have Fun, Molly Lou Mellon is always a great read aloud choice sharing the importance of using your imagination.

The Gingerbread Bear was also a favorite with Kinder and Pre Kinder classes. 

The first graders were buzzed about Fly Guy and the Frankenflly.          

 

Charlie the Ranch Dog is an old favorite friend so we were very happy to welcome his two new adventures Where's the Bacon? and Charlie Goes to School which both proved to be read aloud treats. Several of  our preschool, Kinder, and first graders loved "Silly Doggy!"and it has been a hot seller in the book fair. 

#VirtualBookClub Read: Al Capone Does My Homework

Lucky for me that I was stuck at the Goodyear dealer (they are the nicest people) for 2 1/2 hours and I had brought along my public library copy of Al Capone Does My Homework. I was laughing out loud and deep into the story when my car was ready. I had almost hoped they would have taken a little bit longer so I could keep on reading. Check out the description at Penguin Kids

Join the fun over at #VirtualBookClub as we explore the mysteries on Alcatraz Island and share our favorite parts of the book and its characters. 

Where: On Twitter using hashtag: #virtualbookclub (I use Twubs.com to keep up with the discussion)

When: Monday, October 21, 2013 at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST

Who: Anyone who has read the book or would like to learn more about it. Hopefully Gennifer Choldenko will drop by for a few minutes. Most authors usually join us for part of the conversation. 

Why: Folks who love children's literature often have a hard time finding other grown ups to discuss children's books. We are a group of teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators, and literacy advocates who believe in reading and discovering high quality children's literature and sharing our opinions and thoughts with each other. 

Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan

On Friday, I was tickled pink to receive this package from @PenguinKids It arrived in a beautiful, shiny purple package. I can't wait to begin reading it. I hear from so many people on Twitter that it's their favorite book this year. I am also nervous about reading it because I understand it is an emotional loaded read and with the stress of book fair and several professional presentations all within a couple of weeks time, I think it might be too much for me to handle at the moment. However, it sounds exactly like the type of book I love to read-full of well developed and lovable characters and a story that touches your heart. I like to read books that move and change me as all good books should do. 

Thank  you Penguin Kids, you have bestowed this book on a most grateful recipient. 

Check out this book review by Alice Marvels

FYI: October 23, 2013 is the date applications open for World Book Night 2014

I gave out John Green's Looking for Alaska last year and it was a wonderfully experience. 

Learn how to become a Book Giver: HERE

Happy reading! 

Christmas with Pete

Picture Book Month Celebration

Day 30 theme: Holidays

I did it! Big pat on the back. I dutifully wrote a posting for each themed day of Picture Book Month. This has really been an eye opener for me. I now have such respect for Writers and the discipline it takes. Now I understand why writers set daily writing goals for themselves. I think I will stick to what I do best-introduce the magic of wonderful books to readers. I perform a pretty darn good read aloud and I am also a whiz at creating finger-plays. 

Picture Book Month has been a happy success at my school. The library tables were overflowing with colorful choices beckoning readers to choose them. My voice has been hoarse almost all month from reading so many titles. Today kiddos will finish up their Picture Book Month challenge and will earn library badges for reaching their reading goals.

We will take Picture Book Month to the finish line with our good friend Pete the Cat as he comes to Santa's rescue and saves Christmas.

Browse inside the book here

'Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.

In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill.

Will Christmas be canceled? Will it come to that?

"Never!" cried Santa. 

"Let's call Pete the Cat!"

In this rockin' new spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.

Pete the Cat Crafts and Activities
 Download all the groovy  Pete the Cat songs here
Harper Collins Pete the Cat Saves Christmas Activity Booklet
Pinterest is a great way to find curated Pete the Cat crafts and activities
Check out these two boards:  Bonnie Munn    Erin Meehan