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Monday, March 6, 2023

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...


Rabbit, Duck, and Big Bear by Nadine Brun-Cosme and illustrated by Olivier Tallec

This story about three friends who do everything together shows the joys of being with others, but also spending time alone. 

Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai 

Gigi can't wait for her grandfather to arrive from Japan, but when he arrives he acts different than she expected. This is a sweet story about understanding cultural and intergenerational differences.

The Pancake Problem (Weenie Featuring Frank and Beans Book #2) by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Alexandra Bye

A dachshund named Weenie wakes up hungry for pancakes, but when he uses the supersonic pancake maker he invented he ends up with an abundance of brussels sprouts. Weenie, along with a cat and guinea pig friend, scheme to solve their problem. This is a silly graphic novel with action and kid appeal.

Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

A girl wishes she was somewhere else and her wish is granted when she is drawn into the pages of a book. This is an absorbing story with imaginative and clever illustrations. A stunning book about books.

Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy

I can relate to this book and I'm sure there are many readers who will, too. It's empowering and validating with a message that it's okay to be quiet and to be oneself.

You Are a Story by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

A child is many things, such as an animal, a sponge, a friend, but a child is also a story that is not yet finished. This empowering book prompts readers to think about what they are and what they can be.  

Adult Reading Recommendation


Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

Bea, an eleven-year-old living in London, is sent to live in Boston so she will be safe during WWII. The story starts with her life in Boston and continues when she returns to London and follows her into her adult years. This was the second book that I have read recently focused on the evacuation of children at the start of the war. The other was The Lost English Girl and I enjoyed reading them together. This book provided an interesting perspective on how such an event could shape one's life. It is a beautifully written and a captivating read. The book publishes this month.

5 comments:

  1. Your books about the evacuation sound good & I have bookmarked them, Lisa. What an emotional challenge it must have been. The Pancake Problem sounds like lots of fun & You Are A Story is new to me, another one about books! Thanks!

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  2. Once Upon a Book is special, don't you agree? I'm adding to my TBR with your post here! Have a great week!

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  3. I have Once Upon a Book on my NetGalley shelf and will be reading it soon(Kate Messner is one of my favorites!). And somehow missed seeing You Are a Story by Bob Raczka (love his work as well).. will look for it. Plus that adult story recommendation appeals so much (anything WWII immediately catches my eye)
    My IMWAYR post is here

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  4. I've been so impressed by how many great picture books have been coming out consistently this year.

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  5. The picture books all look great. And Beyond That, the Sea looks good, too - I hadn't heard of it yet. I've read so much about WWII but not much about the evacuation of children (except as one element of Blackout by Connie Willis, which is outstanding).

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