Kellee – Page 235 – Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/23/15

July 27, 2015February 23, 2015 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Book Related Problems We Have

Friday: How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday by Jane Yolen (& Can You Believe Trent is ONE?!)

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This was a crazy week for us! I was planning for Trent’s birthday party all week, so I didn’t get much reading done though I did finish listening to The Lion of Little Rock by Kristin Levine which was so wonderful! I am so glad that I listened to it.

The only new book Trent and I read this week was How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday? by Jane Yolen which I reviewed on Friday. It was a great birthday book.

Ricki: This week, I finished another book on my #mustreadin2015 list: The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer. The writing was stunning, and I was happy to go back and read her guest post from last year. Everyone in my YA book club loved it, and we had a fun time discussing it. I suspect many of you have already read it, but if you haven’t I highly recommend it. I also finished The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers by Johnny Saldaña. My head is spinning at all of the coding possibilities. It was a good read, overall, though.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am still reading The Cure for Dreaming which I am very much enjoying. Cat Winters is such a unique writer! In the car, I am going to start listening to The Family Romanov which I am very much looking forward to.

Ricki: Kellee has been telling me to read Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil for quite some time. I finally got around to ordering it via Interlibrary Loan and am excited to read it!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Book Heroines

Wednesday: Trent & Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: The First Year

So, what are you reading?

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

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday by Jane Yolen (& Can You Believe Trent is ONE?!)

February 14, 2021February 20, 2015 by Kellee

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Published September 1st, 2011 by The Blue Sky Press

Goodreads Summary: Everyone has a birthday, and from riotous birthday parties to the excitement of being one year older, having a birthday is the highlight of a young child’s year.

All little dinosaurs love to get presents, and this new board book will be an immediate favorite. From birthday hats to Ceratosaurus-sized cakes, America’s young readers will laugh out loud as the celebration moves from “bad” birthday behavior to just the right amount of silliness and sharing. Bestselling duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague have created the perfect introduction to birthday parties, with the same beloved humor and warmth of all their previous bestselling “How Do Dinosaurs” books.

Here’s a wonderful way to say “Happy Birthday!” to any dinosaur…young or old!

My Review: I bought this book to read to Trent on every birthday, and I cannot believe that today is the first one! I decided that this was the perfect birthday book because it is super fun to read, has great dino illustrations by Mark Teague who is such a great artist, and it even teaches a nice message that will be a perfect reminder at each birthday. I am so excited to share it with him for the first time today (and his 1st birthday party is dino themed, so it’s perfect!). Which brings me back to…

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT TRENT IS ONE?!?!

This year has gone by super quickly. To commemorate, I wanted to share some of my favorite things about Trent and being a mom:

1) Trent likes books. I was so worried that I would read to him every day and that it would never lead to Trent liking books; however, that is not the case! He likes to grab his favorites (Pete the Cat, Fifteen Animals, and Personal Penguin) and flip through them or have us read to him. He’s even chosen books a few times as his toy to bring to the car on the way to daycare. I love listening to him in the back seat “reading” to himself.

2) Trent laughs with his whole self. I love when he laughs. He is a full body laugher, and it just fills his whole self and the whole room. And he does that thing where your laugh isn’t just on the exhale, it is on the inhale too. So great!

3) Trent is a super chill, super happy baby. Of course he has his melt downs, he cries when he doesn’t like something, and he cries when he’s tired/hungry/waking up; however, for the most part he is a super chill, super happy baby. His demeanor and attitude make me so proud!

4) Trent loves pop punk, dream pop, the Beatles/”Across the Universe” soundtrack, and the Snoopy song. He loves to listen to music. Trent dancing is SUPER adorable. He kind of shakes his hips and moves back and forth. It is so cute! Also, if he is upset, pop punk music surprisingly calms him down. I really think he likes all music, but these are the ones that he seems to enjoy the most.

5) The way he looks at me. Wow. That way that he looks at me is a look that could melt anyone’s heart. I knew how to love before, but this is a different type of love. It is a love that fills me up and makes me complete.

6) The way he looks at Jim. The whole son/dad thing is just the best ever. I love spying on them and watching them be so cute.

7) Watching him learn. To think that a year ago he was born and couldn’t do anything but poop, pee, and eat, and now he walks, talks, learns, etc. is just the most amazing thing in the entire world. My favorite things he’s learned recently are: how to play by himself, sign language for more, how to turn the propellers on his helicopter, pointing, and the SO BIG game.

8) Everything. I just had to cover my bases in case I forgot something 🙂

Being a mom may just be the coolest thing ever!

Happy birthday Trent! I love you!

A Taste of Freedom: Gandhi and the Great Salt March by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

April 11, 2015February 18, 2015 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!
**This book is technically historical fiction, but I felt it was pretty darn close to nonfiction**

A Taste of Freedom: Gandhi and the Great Salt March
Author: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrator: Giuliano Ferri
February 11th, 2014 by Walker Childrens

Goodreads Summary: No one ever forgets their first taste of freedom.

Gandhi’s famous Salt March shook the foundations of the British Empire and the world, showing the strength of a people united in peace to fight for freedom. Gandhi’s march had a significant effect on changing world and British attitudes towards Indian independence, and inspired the use of non-violence in other protest movements, like the US Civil Right movement. You’ll never forget Elizabeth Cody Kimmel’s heartwarming, insightful account or Guiliano Ferri’s stunning illustrations of the event seen through the eyes of a child inspired by Gandhi’s vision for a better world.

My Review: This is a good introduction to one of the greatest, most peaceful men ever to live. Although it is a little tame about the history, it overall stays truthful to the history. I very much liked the story-telling feeling of the story and the water color and pencil drawings were so beautiful and soft.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: The back matter includes a lot of information including resources to get further information, a map that shows the route of the Dandi March, and an afterword with more information about Gandhi.

Discussion Questions: Why did the young boy join the march?; How did Gandhi change India?; Who do you think is easier to respect in this story: the British or the Indians?

We Flagged:

“Gandhi and the satyagrhis are ready to leave by dawn. I join a long line of people as the Mahatma begins walking. His pace is very fast. Even Rajiv has to breathe heavily to keep up.”

Read This If You Loved: Nonfiction books about people fighting for what they believe in.

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Candlewick for providing a copy of the book**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/16/15

July 27, 2015February 16, 2015 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Things We Like/Dislike When It Comes To Romances In Books

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Three Bowls of Porridge” by Lisa Heathfield, Author of Seed

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I read The Crossover this week, and I am so glad I did! I am so happy that a book that won the Newbery is one that I love and that is accessible to my students. Oh, and it is diverse! I cannot wait to review this book because this is a book that belongs in a classroom.

With Trent, we read Pete the Cat probably 15 times, Fifteen Animals probably 10 times, and Personal Penguin probably 5 times. The boy finally has favorite books! I know it will eventually become tedious, right now I am loving that he loves these books.

Ricki: I was boring this week. I read 200 pages in a manual about coding qualitative data and read half of a book on qualitative data analysis. Henry has started a new sleeping trend. We read the typical 4-5 books together. Then, we put him down to sleep. He cries and cries unless we read another 4-5 books. We have tried starting off with ten books. Nope. The break—when Mommy and Daddy say goodnight—is required between the ten books. I am not quite sure how to break this trend, but hey, at least the kid wants to read! His current favorites are Trucks by Roger Priddy (a slide and find book), B is for Bear by Roger Priddy (a fantastic alphabet book) and Where’s Spot by Eric Hill (a lift the flap book). He reads each of these at least 15 times per day.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am still listening the The Lions of Little Rock, and I am loving it! I am actually listening to it at the same time one of my students is reading it, so I am really enjoying chatting with her about it. As for what book I’m going to read this week, I am going to have to decide, but I think I am going to grab The Cure for Dreaming because I student loved it, and I would love to chat with her about it as well. Trent and I will probably continue reading the same books, but I do want to get Fox in Socks in there because my aunt gave it to Trent and haven’t gotten to it yet.

Ricki: This week, I will be finishing The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer. My friend, Wendy, gave me several new picture books for Henry, so I am excited to get to those, too.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Book Related Problems We Have

Friday: How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday by Jane Yolen (& Can You Believe Trent is ONE?!)

So, what are you reading?

and

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Four | Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don’t) by Barbara Bottner; The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf, and Grandma by Diane Fox; The Very Inappropriate Word by Jim Torbin; Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse; & The Girl Who Heard Colors by Marie Harris

July 5, 2016February 13, 2015 by Kellee

Because of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? posts, I find myself often with huge piles of picture books from the library that were highly recommended by fellow bloggers. I celebrate many of the nonfiction pictures books on Wednesdays, but I want to share some of the fiction picture books I have enjoyed. So, I decided to start series here on UR where I can pass on the love for these books sporadically as I read them. Here is a list of some great pictures books that I’ve read recently from my huge library pile (part 4!).

Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don’t)
Author: Barbara Bottner
Illustrator: Michael Emberley
Published March 9th, 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

I am a sucker for books that celebrate books. I am also a sucker for books that celebrate teachers/librarians. This book does both. I love that the librarian never gives up and is such a book lover. I love that the little girl is real and someone that all teachers will encounter each year. And I love how the two come together with a perfect ending.

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma
Author: Diane Fox
Illustrator: Christyan Fox
Published August 26th, 2014 by Scholastic Press

This book is hilarious!
Cat is reading “Little Red Riding Hood” to her friend, Dog, but he keeps interrupting asking questions that Cat is not prepared, or doesn’t want, to answer. Dog is such a funny character! I am sure we all have friends or students or kids that do exactly what Dog does to Cat.
I really hope that Diane and Christyan Fox write more Cat & Dog stories because I’d love to hear their take on other fairy tales!

The Very Inappropriate Word
Author: Jim Torbin
Illustrator: Dave Coverly
Published August 20th, 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.

Michael is a word collector. He loves words! One day he finds a word he doesn’t know, but it turns out to be an inappropriate word.
I love how the teacher deals with Michael’s finding of this new word, I love how the words are exhibited throughout the book, I love how this book promotes learning and vocabulary, I love how fun the illustrations are, and I love the ending! Great book to share with kids. (BTW: Direct connection to A Snicker of Magic)

Come On, Rain!
Author: Karen Hesse
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Published March 1st, 1999 by Scholastic Press

I love Karen Hesse’s writing. She just has a way of putting words together and making them sound like dances. Come On, Rain! is the story of a young girl waiting for rain after a drought and the celebration she, and her friends and family, has after the rain comes. In addition to the beautiful writing, the watercolor illustrations adds an extra beauty to the story making it even more like a piece of art. I also truly appreciate the diversity of the families portrayed.

The Girl Who Heard Colors
Author: Marie Harris
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Published September 26th, 2013 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Synesthesia is something that I only became aware of after reading The Noisy Paint Box, and the idea of seeing colors of words or hear colors or foods having colors when you eat them just is quite fascinating and intriguing. This is a picture book, a very well done picture book, that introduces Jillian who is a young girl who loves her 5 senses and specifically loves being able to see colors of things. She doesn’t realize that this is different until she starts school, but she soon realizes it isn’t something to be ashamed of but something to be proud of.

What picture books should I add to my pile next?

Want to see Part One? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Two? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Three? You can view it HERE.

I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer

July 26, 2015February 11, 2015 by Kellee

I am Jackie Robinson
Author: Brad Meltzer
Illustrator: Christopher Eliopoulos
Published January 8th, 2015 by Dial

Goodreads Summary: This New York Times Bestselling picture book biography series by Brad Meltzer has an inspiring message: We can all be heroes.

Jackie Robinson always loved sports, especially baseball. But he lived at a time before the Civil Rights Movement, when the rules weren’t fair to African Americans. Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn’t allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed African-American history and led the way to equality in all sports in America.

This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models, and best of all, inspiring them to strive and dream.

Kellee’s Review: Since Brad Meltzer published his first “Ordinary People Change The World” book, I have been intrigued by them. I am a huge fan of how he and Chris Eliopoulos format the books, and how they truly help engage their reader throughout. Their newest book in the series focuses on Jackie Robinson and how he went from a young kid loving and excelling at sports to changing the world by becoming the first black MLB player. It deals with acceptance and bravery and overcoming obstacles.

What makes this story of Jackie so unique though is how it is executed. First, I love how it is told in first person. Second, they included humor throughout. For example, there are two kids that keep guessing what the “B” on Jackie’s hat stands for, and they are such comic relief. Finally, the book is a picture book/graphic novel mix which I think really adds to the engagement of the book. And on top of all of this, the book is inspirational! Jackie’s story is always an awe-inspiring one, but this book specifically focuses on how you can truly change your own life if you put your mind to it even if there are truly tough obstacles.

Ricki’s Review: This book! From time to time, a book really impacts me, and I absolutely fell in love with this one. I have always found Jackie Robinson to be inspirational, but the way this story is crafted is uplifting. I am thrilled that kids will be exposed to this story–it teaches resilience and strength, and above all, it shows an extraordinary human being who made a difference in the world.

Like Kellee, I love the way this book is formatted. It will be great for all types of readers, and teachers will love how accessible it is for reluctant readers. The graphic novel style (with one panel per page) is intriguing and engaging. The last page provides a visually appealing fact-page to learn more about Robinson. I will absolutely be getting more books in this series.

Teachers’ Tools For Navigation: Meltzer’s series is a wonderful introduction to some phenomenal people in history that all children should learn about and aspire to be. “Ordinary People Change The World” would actually be a fantastic unit. You could read all of Meltzer’s titles (whole group or in lit circles) then research Lincoln, Parks, Einstein, Earhart, and Robinson to learn more about them. The students could then look into other ordinary people who have changed the world.

Discussion Questions: What do you think the hardest thing about being the first black MLB player would be?; Why do you think Jackie was chosen as the first black player?; What did the B on his hat stand for?

We Flagged:

From http://bradmeltzer.com/book/i-am-jackie-robinson/

Read This If You Loved: Any of the Ordinary People Change the World series books by Brad Meltzer, Henry Aaron’s Dream by Matt Tavares, Baseball Is… by Louise Borden, Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe Dimaggio by Robert Skead

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Penguin for providing copies for review!!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/9/15

July 27, 2015February 9, 2015 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Graphic Novels We Can’t Believe We Haven’t Read

Wednesday: More Great Nonfiction from 2014

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: First, I want to mention the book awards from last Monday and say how excited I was to see so many wonderful titles that I love win or be honored! I am especially happy for El Deafo by Cece Bell, Andrew Smith, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, Dan Santat, Kwame Alexander, brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett, Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, and so many other books I’ve blogged about or shouted out over the last year. I LOVED them all, and I am so happy they were recognized. Congratulations to all of the winners/honorees (and I hope I didn’t miss anyone)!!

This week, I also had a very good reading week! First, I read Baseballogy by Kevin Sylvester which was a nonfiction informational book about baseball that threw in a bit of humor and some wonderful graphics. As a baseball fan, I really enjoyed it. Then, I finished listening to Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick (one of my #mustreadin2015), and it, like her other book Sold, will never leave my heart. It is so powerful! On Friday, in one sitting, I read the Schneider winner Girls Like Us by Gail Giles which has voices that are hard to get out of your head, and it truly makes you think and look at the world around you. Finally, on Saturday night, also in one sitting, I read the heart-wrenching The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer (also one of my #mustreadin2015) which is about grief and the strength to overcome it.

With Trent, we did a lot of rereads this week (our current favorites are Fifteen Animals by Sandra Boynton and Book of Sleep by Sung Il Na), but we also read two new books. Last Sunday we read Freight Train by Donald Crews (recommended by Linda B!) which is a fantastic book about colors and trains and movement. Coincidentally, Donald Crews just won the Wilder Award, and I can see why. I think we will need to read more of his in the future. Then, we read Peanuts: A Scanimation Book by Rufus Butler Seder. Trent really likes the moving aspects of the book, but he also just really wants to rip the page open and see what the “secret” is.

Ricki: I completely agree with Kellee about the ALA Youth Media Awards! We have blogged about some of the books together that she posted above, but I want to add how thrilled I was about A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd (which I have mentioned in about fifteen posts, but apparently I never gave it a full review–shame on me!), brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (for its multiple awards), The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley (for its two awards), You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, and How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon. I am excited that many of the books are on my #mustreadin2015 list!

This week, I read two great books that will be published later this year. Look! by Jeff Mack has only two words, but the story is very meaningful. It is a story about friendship, technology, and the power of reading! I also adored the whimsical nature of By Mouse and Frog by Deborah Freedman. This is going to be a favorite this year. It is also a great book about friendship, but it is very different for Look! it teaches about both listening and creativity. Lastly, I loved Brad Meltzer’s I am Jackie Robinson. I can see why everyone has been raving about it. The format was lovely!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am going to start listening The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine this week, but it will probably take 2 or 3 to finish. As for reading, I am going to have to see what fancies me. My friend, Vivi Barnes, just had her second book Paper or Plastic come out, and I may pick that one up or I could go with a #mustreading2015 or another book from my numerous piles–we’ll see!

Ricki: A group of friends wanted to do a book club, and I told them I would only join if they made it YAL only. They agreed—yes! Our first book is The Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer which I am really looking forward to!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Things We Like/Dislike When It Comes To Romances In Books

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Three Bowls of Porridge” by Lisa Heathfield, Author of Seed

So, what are you reading?

and