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...

Cheeky Chick! By Julia Jarman and illustrated by Tom Knight

One chick ignores Mother Hen when she says to stay near the henhouse. With a desire to see the world, the chick goes for a walk alone and encounters a fox who feels like having a bite to eat. Readers will root for chick and cheer as the fox is outsmarted. 

Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Jody Jensen Shaffer and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

A rhyming text told with a cumulative structure describes the process of the food chain. More information about each of the animals in the book is included at the end.

Grandma's Roof Garden by Tang Wei and translated by Kelly Zhang

The grandma living on the top floor of an apartment building in a neighborhood in China grows a roof garden. When her garden containers are overflowing with vegetables she has a wonderful idea about what to do. This is a sweet book about generosity and community.

How Do You Become Friends with the Moon? by Ghazaleh Bigdelou 

The child and dragon have a lot of questions about the world, but what they really want to find out is if the moon will come over. They are determined to make it happen. This is a sweet and whimsical book. 

To Dogs, with Love: A Love Letter to the Dogs Who Help Us by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo

Dog lovers will be able to relate to this love letter to dogs which tells the many reasons they are adored by so many. The book also shows the many ways dogs can help people.

Horse and Buggy On Wheels! by Ethan Long

Horse has a skateboard and is showing off different tricks. Horse isn't having much success with the tricks, but Buggy is there to off safety equipment and a lesson about learning to do something new. A fun book for early readers.

Rex Finds an Egg (Rex and Oslo) by Doug Cushman

Rex and Oslo find an egg and wonder what kind it is. As they make guesses about the egg, readers will learn about various animals that lay eggs. The book ends on a humorous note. 

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...

Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb and illustrated by Erin Kraan

Buffalo Fluffalo is a grumbling creaturing, scaring away any animal who tries to brighten his mood. After a rainstorm that leaves Buffalo Fluffalo without his fluff he learns that acting tuffalo isn't necessary. The word play is a lot of fun and the story is very amusing. 

Tea With an Old Giant by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi

In an unlikely story of friendship, a lonely giant walks into a small town and befriends a girl there who is small, but brave. The story has an old-fashioned feel with really interesting pictures that show how large the giant is in comparison to the town and people who live there.

When the Stars Came Home by Brittany Luby and illustrated by Natasha Donovan

When Ojiig moves to the city he misses his grandparents, seeing the stars, and his family's previous way of life. His family tries to find a way to bring the stars to him. Nothing seems to work until he becomes involved in learning about his past and finally he knows the meaning of home. A very heartfelt book.

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

This is an empowering novel about navigating family relationships and managing anxiety. As a seventh-grader dealing with challenges that will resonate with many middle grader readers, Deena is a relatable character. Thanks for the publisher for sending me an advanced reader copy. The book publishes in February.

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...

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee and illustrated by Charlene Chua

Jin is never asked to help in the kitchen and when he offers his aunts dismiss him. Only his Mamah is willing to give him a chance. She encourages him to cook from his heart and his confidence grows. A very sweet book.

Hornbeam All In by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard

Each of the three stories in this picture book tell about Hornbeam and introduce readers to one of his friends. Hornbeam, the moose, and each of his friends are all endearing. Cynthia Rylant has a knack for creating characters kids will love.

Laolao's Dumplings by Dane Liu and illustrated by Shinyeon Moon

This is another sweet book about a child and grandparent and cooking. Millie loves Laolao's dumplings so together they shop for the ingredients and return home to make them. Soon Laolao is unable to make them, but the tradition is not forgotten. A heartwarming read.

Stinkbird Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Bob Shea

As a dad hoatzin, also known as a stinkbird, tells his chick about his superpower, the reader learns interesting facts about the species. An amusing and informative book.

Adult Reading Recommendations

Familia by Lauren E. Rico

I picked up this book only because I was looking for something to read set in Puerto Rico before I go on vacation there. I'm so glad I read it. It's a story about two women, one in Brooklyn and one in San Juan, who have never met, but could be sisters. It's also a mystery about a baby who was kidnapped from an alley in the La Perla neighborhood of San Juan about twenty years earlier. With family drama and a mystery, it's a very compelling read.

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

This is the first book I've read by Adam Grant and I enjoyed it a lot. I liked how he interwove interesting stories into his insight about effective tips and advice for achieving success. There is a strong message about the importance of growing and improving upon one's skills. The book is about success in general, but there are connections to education.

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...

Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts by Ruby Bridges and illustrated by John Jay Cabuay

Activist Ruby Bridges responds to letters she has received from kids around the country. The letters show what kids are passionate about, but it's the illustrations in this book that I loved the most. 

Not a Monster by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez and illustrated by Laura González

This informative and poetic book describes the life cycle of an axolotl, as well as the efforts of two amigos to keep the water clean and help protect them. Spanish words, including those for colors, are woven throughout the book. Great illustrations.

Supermoms!: Animal Heroes by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper

This factual book tells about ways different animal moms care for their young. The information about each of the animals is interesting and the illustrations and speech bubbles provide humor. 

A Way to the Stars by David Almond and illustrated by Gill Smith

Joe is determined to find his way to the stars even though his friends don't think it's possible. His dad supports him as they try out ways to get to the stars until finally they achieve their goal. Very sweet.

Drag and Rex: Forever Friends by Susan Lubner and illustrated by Blythe Russo

A charming chapter book about two friends, a T. rex and a dragon. Each of the three stories, one featuring a cake, another that takes place in winter, and the last about reading a scary story, are told in three short chapters. 

Just Keep Walking by Erin Soderberg Downing

Jo and her mother are on a two-week trip during which they plan to hike one hundred miles of the Superior Hiking Trail. The trip is not just a physical one for Jo, but also emotional as she was supposed to do the hike with her dad until plans changed as a result of her parents' divorce. This is an exciting and heartfelt story about adventure, family, determination, and resilience. I enjoyed reading the author's note at the end and learning about her own experience hiking the trail with her teenage son. The book publishes in February. Thanks to the author for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with an advanced reader's copy.

Adult Reading Recommendation

All You Have to Do is Call by Kerri Maher

This novel set in the 1970's in Chicago is about Jane, the underground abortion network that existed at the time. It follows a few different women connected to the network in various ways, including the woman who founded it. The book is based on the true story of Jane, but the characters are fictional. I thought the story was fascinating and felt immersed in the time period. A relevant and timely story about women's rights and activism.