It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Review & Giveaway!: How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio

Thursday: Spooky Sleuth & Solve by Victor Escandell

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Point-of-View Flip as a Way into Creative Writing” by Shirley Reva Vernick, Author of Ripped Away

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: First, I must applaud the brilliance of the audiobook. The narrator does a fantastic job, and I am so glad that I chose to listen to it! And this brilliance on top of the intricate world and complex characters that Adeyemi created equals a fantastical read that all fantasy fans should pick up!
• Haikyu Vol 1 by Haruichi Furudate: Haikyu ended up being way more character driven than I thought it was going to be which was a pleasant surprise as I was worried it was going to be less enjoyable for someone who is not a volleyball fanatic, but no, it was a fun read, and I can see why it is so popular!
• Fairy Tale Battle Royale Vol 1 by Soraho Ina: I found this manga at my library and it seemed right up my alley, and boy, was I right! Mix of action, tale retellings, alternate worlds, and weird zombie characters?! Um, yes please!
• Go Wild! Sea Turtles by Jill Esbaum and Go Wild! Pandas by Margie Markarian: These were both perfect nonfiction books for Trent as sea turtles and pandas are two of his favorite animals! I really liked how the books were structured with each spread focusing on a different element of the animals life. We will definitely get more from this series!
• Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James: This is the final SSYRA, Jr. book that Trent had to read, and he liked it so much that after reading it he wanted to read it to me. Lola is such a fun little flamingo who embodies what a lot of kids have: curiosity and rebellion! Lots of fun!
• Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine by K.A. Holt: This is the second book in the The Kids Under the Stairs series. The first book was from Ben B’s point of view and now this is from Ben Y’s point of view. I love Holt’s novel-in-verse style–it adds such a lyrical element to the story. And her style mixed with the relatable stories that Holt tells (this one is about Ben mourning the loss of her brother while also figuring out their identity, place in school, and friendship) equals really great reads!
• Marty by Rachel Noble: I loved this extended metaphor about inclusion, identity, and friendship. Marty’s story makes me sad that so many feel like outsiders in their community and world, but I hope, like Marty, they all find a friend and a place to call their own.
• The Perfect Fit by Naomi James: I love so much about this book! First, it is about fitting in and how fitting in doesn’t always mean everyone is the same (and actually that we’re all better when we’re surrounded by differences). Also, it is a great math book as it looks at shapes and patterns. Math AND SEL?! What a wonderful combo for an elementary classroom!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Last week, I forgot to share that I read Spooky Sleuth & Solve by Victor Escandell! You can click the link for my full review!

I also read the young adult book Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann. This was a great graphic novel that was all about friendship, feminism, and periods. Yes, the graphic novel used red, black, and white as the colors, and the entire book explored what it is like to be in high school and have your period. It is very difficult to describe this book, but I loved a dad’s review about how it really helped him understand what his daughters might be going through! We need more books like this in the world. It will be appreciated by so many!

Kellee

Reading: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Listening: Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Trent reading during family reading time: HiLo #7: Gina, the Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables #9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham

Ricki

I am keeping up with the reading that my grad YAL class is doing. We are reading Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams soon, so I am reading it!

Tuesday: Teaching Guide for The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Thursday: Be the Dragon: 9 Keys to Unlocking Your Inner Magic by Catherine J. Manning, Illustrated by Melanie Demmer

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Review and Giveaway!: Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt

Thursday: It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable & Stephanie Yue

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Tech Timeout, a Playwriting Lesson” by Joy Jones, Author of Jayla Jumps In

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

This week the Moye house was hit with a bug that knocked all three of us on our butts (luckily not COVID!), so there was a lot more lazying around and sleeping than reading, but I did get to read 3 new-to-me books!

• Hurricane by John Rocco focuses more on the community of people needed to restore an area after a hurricane than it focuses on the hurricane itself. As a Floridian, I both loved and disliked this decision. I loved it because it is true. After hurricanes it really takes so many people to get a community up and running and everyone must work together and help each other. Selflessly. However, on the other hand, I felt like the power of a direct hit of a hurricane was downplayed a bit. But it is definitely a book I’d recommend, for the story and obviously for the art.
• Lala’s Words by Gracey Zhang is about how kind words plant a seed that can sprout and turn into something incredible. The message is something that I love very much. I did question the motive of the mom at points, you’ll understand if/when you read, and I would love to learn more about Lala’s mom and the quick shift she made.
• While waiting in line for our COVID test, Trent and I listened to I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 which is the first time we’ve talked about Pearl Harbor together before. He knows some about World War II because I’ve mentioned the hate the drove it, but we had not really delved into details of the war. Once again, Lauren Tarshis does a wonderful job sharing the history along with an interesting story, and we both enjoyed reading it.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I’ve been reading two theory books all week. Admittedly, it’s slowwww. But I am learning a lot and thinking about how I might apply the theory to my teaching!

My almost 5yo and I just finished reading Jop and Blip Wanna Know by Jim Benton. He read the left-hand page on each spread, and I read the right-hand page on each spread. It was really cute, and the author snuck in all sorts of facts that were intriguing!

Hurricane by John Rocco tells the story of a boy who is caught in a hurricane. The next day, the dock is ruined, and he is very focused on wanting it to get fixed. He quickly realizes there are other priorities in his neighborhood first. I liked this book a lot, and I particularly loved the inside covers, which gave more information about hurricanes and docks.

Kellee

Not much has changed 🙂

   

Reading: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo & How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio

Listening: The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Trent reading during family reading time: HiLo Vol 5: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables Vol 7: Arabian Nights (And Days) by Bill Willingham

Ricki

The boys and I are reading Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection. I read this many years ago, and I am happy to be reading it again with my kids. If you haven’t checked this graphic collection, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s so dang good.

Tuesday: How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio

Thursday: Spooky Sleuth & Solve by Victor Escandell

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Point-of-View Flip as a Way into Creative Writing” by Shirley Reva Vernick, Author of Ripped Away

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Kellee’s #MustReadin2021 Fall Update!

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Magic Candies by Heena Baek, Translated by Sophie Bowman

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

 

• Before I share the 3 graphic novels I read, I want to just share how truly awesome it is that there are graphic novels like there now! When I was younger, I loved comics, but the only easily accessible ones were Archie, which I loved, but I cannot even imagine if I had access to all that exists today!
  • Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas, Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali: This new Ms. Marvel graphic novel definitely brings humanity to our super hero as Kamala deals with so much not only as Ms. Marvel but in her life. I loved the complete characterization of Kamala and learning more about her home life. I also liked the teamwork represented in the story to take on the villain.
  • Sunny Makes a Splash by Jenni L. Holm, Illustrated by Matthew Holm: This may be my favorite Sunny book yet! Sunny is coming into her own and figuring out who she is which is so fun to watch!
  • Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds, Illustrated by Pablo Leon: From the same new Scholastic Marvel series as Stretched Thin and similarly, Shock Waves shows us more about Miles’s life both at home and as Spiderman and how to balance it all. In addition, I really liked the villain story, and I’m excited to see how it continues.
• Trent and I also read some great picture books at bedtime this week!
  • How Did Humans Go Extinct? by Johnny Marciano, Illustrated by Paul Hoppe: This book takes place 10 million years in the future where a frog-like creature is now the dominant species on Earth and Humans are an exhibit at their Natural History Museum. The curious protagonist loves learning about Humans and is so curious about what happened to them and this leads to a wonderful bedtime conversation. I love the curiosity this book exhibits as well as the reflection it will cause about our impact on Earth.
  • Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds: Peter H. Reynolds is brilliant. He writes such beautiful books, and each one is just as wonderful as the last one. Our Table looks at being present and the importance of family.
  • The Little Blue Bridge by Brenda Maier: A fun retelling of the three billy goats gruff where one again Ruby proves that her brothers underestimate her. I love Ruby as a character–she doesn’t give up and she is so innovative! I just wish her brothers would get with the program.
  • The Goose Egg by Liz Wong: This is a favorite picture book of Trent’s! I love the pun of a goose egg literally! Also, I like that this is like Mother Bruce but Henrietta loves her goose with all her heart.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I read some great new picture books this week. My Two Border Towns by David Bowles is remarkably well done. I will be using this one in my classes. It tells the story of a boy who regularly travels to the other side of the US-Mexican border. Before they go home, they check with friends seeking asylum.

Without Separation:Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez by Larry Dane Brimner tells the true story of Roberto Alvarez. Roberto was no longer allowed to attend his school in 1937, when the townspeople tried to segregate the Mexican American children from the white children. The book follows the court case.

Boogie Boogie Y’all by C.G. Esperanza highlights the Boogie Down Bronx in its beauty. The book follows a great beat and the art flows off the walls (and the pages!). This one makes for a great read-aloud.

I’ll be reviewing It Fell From the Sky by the Fan brothers on Thursday. This is a whimsical story about insects’ reactions when a marble falls from the sky. A spider develops a plan…

Magic Ramen:The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang came out in 2019, but I hadn’t read it until now! It tells the true story of the invention of ramen. This one is inspiring!

Kellee

Reading: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo & Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt

Listening: The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Trent reading during family reading time: HiLo Vol 5: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables Vol 7: Arabian Nights (And Days) by Bill Willingham

Ricki

I just finished Black Boy Joy with Henry, and he loved how every story was so different and written by someone else. So I thought of an idea. I am reading Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection with him. It’s edited by Matt Dembicki. If you haven’t read this one, I highly recommend it. The 10-year anniversary edition just came out!

Tuesday: Review and Giveaway!: Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt

Thursday: It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable & Stephanie Yue

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Tech Timeout, a Playwriting Lesson” by Joy Jones, Author of Jayla Jumps In

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Blog Tour with Review: Stowaway by John David Anderson

Thursday: Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Spreading Hope and Optimism with STEM Picture Books” by Linda Zajac, Author of Robo-Motion: Robots that Move Like Animals

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

• I have no idea why I waited so long to read Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia, but I am so glad that I finally picked it up. What an amazing adventure intertwined with African American folklore and amazing symbolism! Brilliant. I’ll definitely need to pick up the sequel.
• Orange: The Complete Collection Vol. 2 by Ichigo Takano did not disappoint. It is hard to tell you about the second volume without giving away information about the first, but I recommend it!
• Dragons are the Worst! by Alex Willan is the sequel to a family favorite and Sunshine State Young Reader Award, Jr. book, Unicorns are the Worst. Like the first book, Dragons looks at perspective and even shows how a person’s perception can change with just a little more information. Gilbert the Goblin narrates again which means that it is also just as hilarious as the first which helps the deliver this important message in a light way. Definitely loved having this second Gilbert book and hope there will be more!
• We got the second Chicken Little book by Sam Wedelich, so we definitely had to reread the first. Chicken Little: The Real and True Tale and Chicken Little and the Big Bad Wolf are just fantastic. They have amazing voice, great humor, and a wonderful lesson about hysteria and research. Chicken Little is a hit in our house!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I’m sorry! I will be back next week. School starting has be harder than I thought it would be!

Kellee

Reading: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Reading during family reading time: ??? Finished Orange, so have to pick something else up.

Trent reading during family reading time: The HiLo series by Judd Winnick

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables Vol 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Listening: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Tuesday: Kellee’s #MustReadin2021 Fall Update!

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Magic Candies by Heena Baek, Translated by Sophie Bowman

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World by Uma Krishnaswami

Saturday: Puzzles from Sandra Boynton

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

• We’re reviewing both Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee and Stowaway by John David Anderson this week, and I cannot wait to tell you about them. I can promise you, if you are at a middle school, you definitely want both!
• Trent and I had an unexpected like 3 hours in the car together on Tuesday & Wednesday, so we finished two I Survived books by Lauren Tarshis: Hurricane Katrina & San Francisco Earthquake. I think Hurricane Katrina is my favorite one yet, but both were very good. I really love this series!
• King and the Dragon Flies by Kacen Callender was about loss, racism, abuse, identity, family, and friendship–just so much in this little book. Additionally, it is really well written, and the audiobook was produced brilliantly. I really ended up liking it.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

My 7-year-old and I have been reading Black Boy Joy, edited by Kwame Mbalia, for several weeks. We read about 1/2 a story each night. Between his dad reading to him and life, we are just at the end now. It has been such a rewarding experience. I cannot recommend this book enough to parents and teachers. Each story is different from the next, and we’ve found great joy in talking about the moral of each story along with the differences across the stories.

Kellee

Reading: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Reading during family reading time: Orange (The Complete Collection, Volume 2) by Ichigo Takano

Trent reading during family reading time: Caveboy Dave: Not so Faboo by Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Phil McAndrew

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables Vol 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Listening: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Ricki

I started This is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio about three months ago. Halfway through the book, I knew I wanted it on my syllabus. So I added it and then paused the book to check out a few others that were recently published to ensure that I had a syllabus with the most recent texts. I am finishing it this week, and it is just so well done. I love this book!

Tuesday: Blog Tour with Review: Stowaway by John David Anderson

Thursday: Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee

Sunday: Author’s Guest Post: “Spreading Hope and Optimism with STEM Picture Books” by Linda Zajac, Author of Robo-Motion: Robots that Move Like Animals

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: August 10 for 10: Kellee’s Favorite Fairy Tale or Nursery Rhyme Inspired Picture Books

Sunday: “The Case for Graphic Novels and Chapter Books” by Dusti Bowling, author of Aven Green, Baking Machine

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

• I look forward to reviewing Threads of Peace for you this week!
• I was trying to decide what audiobook to listen to next, and Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson was one that was recommended over and over. And man, they were right! This book is made to be listened to. Hearing the rhymes and rapping just took the book to the next level, which you know is already amazing because it is Tiffany D. Jackson.
• Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami is an all ages manga that is just so funny and sweet. I mean, who doesn’t love the antics of a kitten and a family who love him?!?!
• Trent and I finished listening to I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis and yet again I learned about a new time in history thanks to this series. Tarshis is so good at what she does, and I look forward to listening to more with Trent!
• Lobstah Gahden by Alli Brydon and Regina is NOT a Little Dinosaur by Andrea Zuill were our picture book reads of the week (with school starting, we make it through family reading time but I’ve just been too tired some nights to do bedtime reading too! ☹). Trent has had Jim and me read Lobstah Gahden because he things it is so funny–that’s a big compliment from him! And Regina made both of us laugh out loud thanks to her antics.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

By the time you read this, I will have just pulled back into my home after a month on the road, seeing family and relatives. I’ll be preparing my kids for their first day back to school, so I will catch up with you next week!

Kellee

Reading: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Reading for Review: Stowaway by John David Anderson

Reading during family reading time: Not sure! I’ll see what Trent picks from my pile.

Trent reading during family reading time: Bird and Squirrel: All or Nothing by James Burks

Jim reading during family reading time: Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Listening: King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

Trent and I listening to: Unfortunately, now that summer is over, we just aren’t driving as many places for long periods of time… I’ll let you know when we start listening to something again!

Tuesday: Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World by Uma Krishnaswami

Saturday: Puzzles from Sandra Boynton

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

  and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Tuesday: Juan Hormiga by Gustavo Roldán, Translated by Robert Croll

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Using Anthologies to Teach Writing” by Rochelle Melander, Author of Mightier than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

• Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner review of Jukebox sent me on a mission to read the book. I loved the sci-fi aspect of the story a lot, but add in family communication, sexual identity, music, history, and representation = a wonderful book for so many! AND the playlist is on Spotify!
• Unicorn Rescue Society: Secret of the Himalayas by Adam Gidwitz & Hena Khan: I love what the Unicorn Rescue Society has become! Adam Gidwitz is finding amazing co-authors to help tell mythical stories from all over the world. This one was especially magical as we visited the Himalayas with the hopes of finally finding a unicorn. Like the rest of the series, I listened to it, and the audiobooks never disappoint.
• Check, Please!, Book 2: Sticks and Stones by Ngozi Ukazu: Book two of this series picks up right where book 1 left off, so I can’t tell you too much without spoiling the first book, but how can I not love a book about baking, love, and hockey?!?!
• Read with Trent:
  • Except Antarctica by Todd Sturgell: I am a sucker for this type of humor where the characters and the narrator interact. And on top of that, it is informative about animals?! Win!
  • We Want a Dog by Lo Cole: I was a big fan of these illustrations! It reminded me of Harry the Dirty Dog in style a bit. The story though is not what you expect and the twist at the end made Trent and I laugh out loud.
  • Beaver and Otter Get Along…Sort of: A Story of Grit and Patience Between Neighbors by Sneed Collard III, Illustrations by Meg Sodano: As a huge animal fan, Trent really liked this one and learning about the ecosystems that beavers make and how otters are disgruntledly part of it. I know it says that the book is about grit and patience BETWEEN neighbors, but it is really about beavers putting up with otters’ shenanigans.
  • Too Crowded by Lena Podesta: Although all books with fish in a fish bowl makes me sad, I did like this journey and the message of finding a friend makes a situation better.
  • The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach: Burach’s sequel to the impatient caterpillar is funny in the same way, and it is set up for a 3rd book–here’s hoping!
  • Too Many Bubbles: A Story about Mindfulness by Christine Peck, Illustrated by Mags Deroma: A good introduction about mindfulness. Will be best with young kids as a scaffold to more detailed picture books about meditation and mindfulness. The illustrations were a favorite!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2021 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

These two picture books are due out in September and October, and I can’t wait to see them on bookstore shelves.

In Looking for a Jumbie, written by Tracey Baptiste and illustrated by Amber Ren, Naya decides she is going to go out in the night to find a jumbie—something creepy that Mama says only exists in stories. The book is magical and delightful. It’s one I could read again and again.

In A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan and illustrated by Lian Cho, readers are introduced to the word “Welcome” in 14 different languages, with beautiful illustrations of different cultural settings. New connections, new friendships—the book celebrates language and cultural difference.

Kellee

Reading: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia]

Also reading: Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Changed the World by Uma Krishnaswami

Reading during family reading time: The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home, Part 1 by Kanata Konami, Translated by Ed Chavez

Trent reading during family reading time: The Bird & Squirrel series (he is on book 4 of the series)

Jim is reading during family reading time: Disney Kingdom’s Seekers of the Weird by Brandon Seifert, Illustrated by Karl Moline & Filipe Andrade

Listening: Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson, Lyrics by Malik “Malik-16” Sharif

Trent and I listening to: I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis

Ricki

My tenure file is due this week, so I will do my very best to read during breaks in the action!

Tuesday: August 10 for 10: Kellee’s Favorite Fairy Tale or Nursery Rhyme Inspired Picture Books

Sunday: “The Case for Graphic Novels and Chapter Books” by Dusti Bowling, author of Aven Green, Baking Machine

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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