Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs, Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

The Best Gift for Bear by Jennifer A. Bell

Sometimes the best gift is not a physical gift, but the time spent together with a special person. The story of Hedgehog and Bear is heart-warming and a perfect read for winter or the holidays. 

Big Bear and Little Fish by Sandra Nickel and illustrated by Il Sung Na

Bear really wants to win a teddy bear at the carnival, but instead ends up with a fish. There are many reasons Bear does not feel a fish would be a good companion, including her size, until Fish helps him see things from a different perspective. This is a sweet story of unlikely friendship.

So Much Snow by Kristen Schroeder and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

From smallest to largest, one forest animal after another wonders how high the snow will go as it keeps falling and falling. When snow blankets them all, they begin to wonder when the snow will go away. In reverse order, as the snow melts, the animals are revealed again. This is a fun story about the winter season and the transition from winter to spring. 

The Sour Grape by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald

The Food Group picture book series is well-loved by students and as in the previous books, the main character, this time a sour grape, will both amuse readers and teach them a life lesson. This story tells what happened to turn a grape from sweet to sour and how that same grape learned that it's better to let go of grudges. With great illustrations and puns, this is another entertaining read in the series.

Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Each time the doorbell rings, the narrator notes a new addition to the family gathering. The story is a spin on The Twelve Days of Christmas, but it could apply to a variety of joyous holidays or celebrations. Lively text and illustrations show the fun and excitement of being with family and the love of sharing food together, especially sweet potato pie. 

Owl and Penguin (I Like to Read Comics) by Vikram Madan

The three stories in this early reader graphic novel about an owl and a penguin are super sweet. In each story one of the friends helps the other solve a problem. The bright illustrations are delightful and the one on the last page is especially joyful.