Pages

Monday, March 30, 2020

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, and share my recent reads. This month I am also participating in the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Visit Two Writing Teachers for more information. 

Spending so much time at home, I have much more time to read. But, with all that's going on in the world and the challenges of figuring out how to support learners from home, I've found that concentrating on reading is not so easy. I would think, I would have read a lot more than usual, but I really haven't. I am glad for the reading I have been able to do.

Recent Reads...


Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

I love this book! Little Crab and Big Crab are at the edge of the ocean. Little Crab takes slow, hesitant steps towards the ocean and starts to question the decision to go in while Big Crab encourages him. An enormous wave sweeps them under and Little Crab discovers the wonder, beauty, and adventure of the ocean depths. This is a sweet story of courage and friendship. 

Knot Cannot by Tiffany Stone and Mike Lowery

Knot is envious of all the things that Snake can do and he cannot. A bird puts Snake in danger and Knot puts her greatest strength to use. This is a clever and humorous story with a message about appreciating one's strengths. 

Brooklyn Bailey, the Missing Dog by Amy Sohn, Orna LePape and Libby VanderPloeg

Yotam's dog is startled and runs away. Yotam's neighbors assist in helping to bring Bailey back home. This is not just a story of a dog who finds his way back home, but also one about community.

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

Frankie and her twin sister are very different from each other and have a rocky relationship. Frankie believes it's her sister's fault that her friendship with Colette, who she has known since kindergarten, came to an end. Now Colette is missing and Frankie becomes involved in figuring out what happened. This is a mystery and a heartfelt story of friendship. It's also an insightful book, as Frankie is neurodiverse, and readers get a glimpse into her thoughts and emotions.

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reviews and for bringing to light "It's Monday, What are you Reading?"

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love seeing these new picture books, Lisa. Each one sounds good. I love the idea of Brooklyn Bailey & reading about 'Tornado Brain'. Thanks much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Once again, you offer such treasures ... adding to my list ... :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree that it's very difficult to settle my mind down with all of the swirling anxieties and things to do, reading is hard to accomplish. The books you shared look awesome and I can't wait until the library reopens in order to check them out! Stay safe and healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been thinking about finding Tornado Brain lately as many have shared it. I really want to get Knot Cannot for my library next year. Thanks for the great shares, and hope you are doing well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too have had to work to find my reading life at this time -- these are all new to me. Thanks for sharing. Be well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think everyone is having a difficult time these days. It's not so much that I am not reading, I'm easily distracted and end up just reading to much online information about the pandemic.
    I am jealous that you have managed to read Knot Cannot! Tiffany Stone is a local author and poet who I am hoping to interview some day. Like others, I am keen to read Tornado Brain eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Knot Cannot looks like such fun! And I know I will enjoy Brooklyn Bailey. I have been leaning on picture books because it is hard to take focus for novels right now. And thankfully they are so many good ones to choose from. Stay safe Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know what you mean about reading. It's gotten better, I think mostly because I'm making myself turn off the news. I stopped watching the updates. It's a lot to take in. I try to watch one news show a day and that's it. I was watching too much. It's not that I don't want to stay updated, but I think there also has to be a mental balance. I also started "school" this week and that literally forced everything else to go on the back burner! I'm video conferring three days a week with back to back to back sessions! More work than before! Hope you are staying healthy and well!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I totally agree on distractions -- I feel like I'm missing most of my reading time!! But I think I'm getting better at it. I keep seeing Tornado Brain and really hope we'll get a copy. Thanks for sharing, Lisa! #superlatecommenter

    ReplyDelete