October 2020 – Page 3 – Unleashing Readers

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love

October 6, 2020 by Kellee

Julián at the Wedding
Author & Illustrator: Jessica Love
Published October 6th, 2020 by Candlewick Press

Summary: The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return–and finds a new friend–at a wedding to be remembered.

Julián and his abuela are attending a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding along with his cousin Marisol. When wedding duties are fulfilled and with a new dog friend in tow, the pair takes off to roam the venue, exploring everywhere from underneath tables to enchanting willow trees to . . . muddy puddles? After all, it wouldn’t be a wedding without fun, laughter, and a little magical mischief. With ingenuity and heart, author-illustrator Jessica Love tells a charming story of friendship, acceptance, and celebration.

About the Author: Jessica Love is an actor and the author-illustrator of Julián Is a Mermaid. She has a BA in studio art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as a graduate degree from Juilliard. She has appeared in plays both on and off Broadway. Jessica Love lives in Brooklyn.

Praise:

“Arrtwork on brown paper allows warm, clear views of the characters, who appear to be Black and Afro-Latinx. The specificity of Love’s characterizations—the way the abuelas kick off their high heels, the brides’ enthusiasm, the children’s expansive gender expressions—offers vibrancy and immediacy, and under their community’s watchful eyes, Julián and Marisol find affection, acceptance, and room to grow.” -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive. Lovely.” -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Once again Love has brought us young characters who are free to live, play, and express themselves however they wish without conflict. An abundance of joy and love.” -The Horn Book, Starred Review

Review: Jessica Love has brought such a special character to light in Julián. His story is a story of love, being yourself, having fun, happiness, and light. In Julián’s new story, we find him at a wedding where, like most kids, he and Marisol would rather go play than hang around with the adults. Only a small amount of text is needed because the joy of playing together radiates through the illustrations and is a feeling that every person has felt at one time or another while they play with no inhibitions when they probably should be somewhere else. Trent and I read this book together and when we were done, he said, “I want to play with them!” and that summarizes the feeling of this book.

Activity Kit from the Publisher:

A Conversation with the Author:

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/5/20

October 7, 2020October 5, 2020 by Kellee

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: Unicorns are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Thursday: LyricPop is Back with Respect, These Boots Were Made for Walkin’, Move the Crowd, and We Got the Beat

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

Kellee

Between the World and Me by Te-Nehisi Coates: The blurb on the front of this is from Toni Morrison, and she said that it is a required read. The only justice I can do to this text is to say that Toni Morrison is right. Written as a letter to his son, Coates’s memoir connects history to contemporary times and a deep look at race relations in our country as well as a look at his life. Like Adam Silvera said in his review, “If you’re waiting for the millionth person to tell you to read this book, allow me to be Person 1,000,000. The audiobook is narrated by the author, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and it made the experience deeper for me.”
The Truth According to Blue by Eve Yohalem: “Thirteen-year-old Blue Broen is on the hunt for a legendary ship of gold, lost centuries ago when her ancestors sailed to New York. Blue knows her overprotective parents won’t approve of her mission to find their family’s long-lost fortune, so she keeps it a secret from everyone except her constant companion, Otis, an 80-pound diabetic alert dog. But it’s hard to keep things quiet with rival treasure hunters on the loose, and with Blue’s reputation as the local poster child for a type 1 diabetes fundraiser.”
Avatar: The Lost Adventures: Such a fun graphic novel to read after finishing the series! All of the adventures were not in the show and just add some more fun to Aang’s story!
Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers’ Rights by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Kristy Caldwell: Frances Perkins is an amazing woman that I am so happy to have learned about in this amazing picture book biography! Frances Perkins didn’t let anything get in her way, and she knew who she wanted to help and how to help and she got it done! Also, I would love to pair part of this story with Brave Girl by Michelle Markel.
Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein, illustrated by Anca Sandhu: This book reads as a fable. Almost like a retelling of the tortoise and the hare but with Gnu that dreams but won’t do the work and Shrew that doesn’t let hurdles stop him from reaching his dreams!
The rest of the picture books were read with Trent. Here are our favorites:
- Unicorns are the Worst which I reviewed last week.
- Pokko and the Drum by Mattew Forsythe: We loved this story about a young frog that begins a big dance party in her forest.
- Cycle City by Alison Farrell: A fun hide-and-seek book with a fun narrative which are some of Trent’s favorites.
- The Cool Bean by Jory John: The newest in this series that for whatever reason we just got around to getting it, and it is just as fun as the others and with just as good a message.

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2020 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Both of my older sons now own copies of this book, and it provides them hours of entertainment. They love looking at all of the states and moves that the pokémon do. We read characters every night, and I think I’ve now read all of the hundreds of characters.

The Maker Comics: Bake Like a Pro book is just as good as the others in this amazing series. Falynn Koch does a beautiful job incorporating lessons about baking in the narrative of this graphic novel. My kids and I all loved this one.

Elwood Bigfoot by Jill Esbaum is a charming story of a very large creature who just wants to be friends with the birdies!

Kellee

Reading: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

Listening to: The Stepping Off Place by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

Ricki

I am gearing up for the ALAN Workshop and rereading some of the books by the keynotes Eric Gansworth and Samira Ahmed!

Tuesday: Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love

Thursday: Educators’ Guide for Fight of the Century: Alice Paul Battles Woodrow Wilson for the Vote by Barb Rosenstock, Illustrated by Sarah Green

Friday: K-2 Teachers: Indigenous Peoples Day and Thanksgiving

Saturday: Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

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

LyricPop is Back with Respect, These Boots Were Made for Walkin’, Move the Crowd, and We Got the Beat

October 1, 2020 by Kellee

Respect by Otis Redding, Illustrated by Rachel Moss
These Books Are Made for Walkin’ by Lee Hazelwood, Illustrated by Rachel Moss
Move the Crowd by Eric Barrier and William Griffin, Illustrated by Kirk Parrish
We Got the Beat by Charlotte Caffey, Illustrated by Kaitlyn Shea O’Connor

All Published October 6th, 2020 by Akashic Books

Respect Summary: Respect is a children’s picture book based on lyrics written and originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin’s iconic rendition of the song later peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1967. Redding’s lyrics continue to resonate with listeners today.

With lyrics by Otis Redding and illustrations by Rachel Moss, this irresistible book shows a young girl, her brother, and her parents conjuring as many positive futures for each other as they can dream. Packed with playful vignettes as they imagine a life full of possibility, Respect provides families an opportunity to explore themes of mutual respect—while revisiting one of the greatest songs ever written.

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ Summary: These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ is an adorable story of friendship and family set against the backdrop of Lee Hazlewood’s iconic song. While there have been numerous recordings over the past several decades, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” was originally recorded by Nancy Sinatra and released in early 1966 to instant success. A #1 Billboard hit in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia that was nominated for three GRAMMYs, Hazlewood’s song continues to be embraced to this day.

With lyrics by Lee Hazlewood and illustrations by Rachel Moss, this captivating picture book tells the story of a boy and his extremely attached and very jealous cat who must adapt to the introduction of a new family member—a puppy. The funny story line and delightful images are sure to have the entire family curled up and laughing together, pets included!

Move the Crowd Summary: Innovative illustrator Kirk Parrish brings the iconic song “Move the Crowd” to life for the first time as a children’s picture book. The lyrics to Eric B. and Rakim’s hit song provide the inspiration for this instant classic.

Follow along as Parrish pairs the lyrics with colorful illustrations about a boy being absorbed into his stereo and dropped into a colorless world where the music is dull and the people uninspired. The ensuing transformation he brings to the crowd with his music is one that the whole family can enjoy together.

We Got the Beat Summary: We Got the Beat is a children’s picture book based on the hit song by the 1980s new wave group the Go-Go’s. Consisting of five members, the all-female band rocked the nation with their charisma and musical genius. Their hit song “We Got the Beat” spent three weeks at #2 on the Billboard 100 and became their signature song. Says the New York Times: the Go-Go’s “taught a new generation the power of the girl gang.”

With lyrics by Go-Go’s member Charlotte Caffey and illustrations by Kaitlyn Shea O’Connor, this picture book tells the story of what it is like to live life dancing to the beat, while enjoying friends, nature, and the fun that surrounds you. We Got the Beat will make both parents and children get their groove on and show off their best dance moves.

Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: These four additions to this series are just as good as the original four; I hope the company keeps creating these as they are a great addition to picture books! Just like the first four, Trent is addicted to listening to these songs and following along in the picture book. I love hearing him in the other room put on the song knowing that he is falling in love with the music, the lyrics, and the book all at once!

There are so many different ways to use these picture books in the classroom. In my post about the first four in the series, I shared the idea to break students up into groups and listen to the songs that have LyricPop books then create their own picture book followed by a comparison/contrast with the LyricPop books. Also, I shared the idea to have students read the lyrics first without listening to the song and create a book. Then, after listening to the song, ask how they would change their book.

I also think that lyrics are a wonderful way to teach poetry which gives a great reason to include LyricPop books in secondary classrooms as well.

Discussion Questions:

Would you have interpreted the lyrics the same way?
What interpretation of the lyrics surprised you?
If you read the book first then listened to the song, did the type of song it was surprise you?
What is the main theme of the song?
What poetic elements can you find in the lyrics of the song?

Read This If You Love: Music

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Akashic Books for providing copies of these books for review!**