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Monday, March 20, 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...


Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts

A mischievous cat, who wants to get out of being bathed, rearranges the words on the list of tasks the family must do to get ready for Grandma's visit. Cleaning up turns into chaos until the family finally gets it right. Very amusing.

A Boy and His Mirror by Marchánt Davis and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

A magic mirror helps Chris when other kids tease him about his hair. This rhyming story has an important message about confidence and kindness.

The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting

This is an informative book about trees that shows just how amazing they are. The author also compares trees to humans, imparting important lessons about how to live and be.

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and illustrated by Maya Fidawi

This is a sweet story featuring a relationship between a grandchild and her grandmother set in Tehran. Samira is worried about going to the bazaar for the first time so she wants to hide under Mama Shamsi's chador. The story is based on the author's childhood.

You Are Loved: A Book About Families by Margaret O'Hair and illustrated by Sofia Cardoso

The companion to You Are Enough, this book is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, an actress with Down syndrome, and explains how families are all different and special. A very sweet book.

Reina Ramos Works it Out! by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal 

I love this delightful beginning reader book about Reina Ramos who learns what it means to be a good friend and a strong person. There are a few Spanish words in the book that are included in the glossary at the end. This is an engaging story with a social emotional theme related to problem-solving.

The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing by Molly B. Burnham and illustrated by Fanny Liem

Ten-year-old Dottie's grandfather has come to stay with her family after her grandmother has died. Dottie misses her grandmother a lot, but has difficulty related to her grandfather. She does not understand why he is spending so much time talking to the can that contains her grandmother's ashes. He is also interfering with her plans to build a treehouse with her friend Sam. This is such a charming book that explores loss, healing, change, and friendship. 

Adult Reading Recommendation 


If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook

This book opens with a funeral as family and friends are gathered in Eulalia, Georgia mourning the loss of Gerry, the Williams family patriarch. The story takes place over the course of a week during which the Williams family is together processing the shocking revelation about Gerry that is revealed during the eulogy given by a neighbor and close friend, but also dealing with issues and surprises of various family members. There are many characters introduced very quickly, so it did take some effort to remember how they were connected, especially at the beginning of the book. It's a quiet, unique, and uplifting story. I enjoyed the theme related to family and how the story imparts a message about the messiness of families and the ways they hold each other together. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The book publishes in April.

3 comments:

  1. Each one sounds really good, Lisa. I've put them on my list, especially The Boy In The Mirror. I'm wishing the teasing could stop, never understand the need for someone to be cruel! Thanks!

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  2. Bathe the Cat is so much fun.

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  3. Just reading the description of “Bathe the Cat” made me smile. Sounds like a fun read with some quirky humor. Adding it to my list. Thanks for sharing!

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