It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/28/22

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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!

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Tuesday: My Favorite Books I Read When I was 7 By Trent

Thursday:National Geographic Kids: Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai

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

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Kellee

I’ve begun to do my long IMWAYR updates every two weeks, so I will do an update next week. But as always, to see what books I’ve been reading, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

Hi, all! We dug into a lot of great picture books last week—most fresh off the presses and many nonfiction picture books.

Born Hungry by Alex Prud’Homme taught me a lot about Julia Child’s upbringing. She had such a zest for life, and this book by her great-nephew really captured it.

Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America Into Space by Suzanne Slade told the story of Mary Sherman, the world’s first rocket scientist. I found her story to be incredibly inspiring.

Who Are Your People? is a book by Bakari Sellers, and I loved the themes of community and family!

One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University by M.O. Yuksel is the story of one the most important Muslim women in history. She founded the world’s oldest university! I absolutely loved learning about Fatima Al-Fihri and her wish.

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer by Kathryn Lasky is a biography of astronomer Williamina Fleming, who helped lay the foundations for modern astronomy.

Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey is a fantastic picture book that is perfect as a read-aloud for Earth Day. This one, as you would guess from the title, is very classroom-friendly.

The Heart of Mi Familia by Carrie Lara tells the story of a girl who seeks to create a gift that represents both sides of her multicultural family. It’s beautiful.

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani is a picture book by Megan Reid and tells the story of trailblazing mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, who was the the first woman to win the world’s most prestigious honor in mathematics.

Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn…ahh, I loved this book so much. It tells an honest account of a Vietnamese family’s immigration experience. The illustrations are magnificent.

In My Mosque by M.O. Yuksel (who also has a book above!) is a story that invites readers to feel welcome in a mosque.

Ty’s Travels: Lab Magic by Kelly Starling Lyons is a wonderful early reader that my kids really enjoyed!

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams—Stacey Abrams…Spelling bees…do I need to say more? I adored this book. It will be a classroom favorite!

When I Wake Up by Seth Fishman reminds us of the many paths we can take when we wake up!

Dream Big, Little Scientists: A Bedtime Book by Michelle Schaub is the perfect book to grow a little scientist (and remind them to go to bed)!

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles tells of cooking, tradition, and Haitian independence. I read this one aloud to my kids, and they loved it!

Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings by Jane Yolen–I didn’t realize this story about Emily Dickinson’s childhood! I read it with my sister and her kids and sighed so loudly with satisfaction that my sister felt guilty borrowing the book. I gave it away because good books must be shared!

Llama Llama Loves to Read is an Anna Dewdney book and it packs the same charm as the others in the series.

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson—this book was a reread, and I could read it 100 times and never tire of it. It’s one of my favorite picture books by one of my favorite authors!

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Ricki

I am still listening to John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed. When it ends, I might cry because I want it to go on forever.

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Tuesday: Wave by Diana Farid

Thursday: You Are Not Alone by Alphabet Rockers, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

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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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National Geographic Kids: Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai

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Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai
Published January 4, 2022 by National Geographic Kids

Summary of Kamala Harris: Explore one of the most powerful and highest-ranking female figures in American history with this biography of Vice President Kamala Harris in this Level 2 reader.

On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris made history. That day, she became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected as Vice President of the United States. Young readers will learn about Harris’s childhood, her early career, and her journey that led to winning the vice presidency. This early reader also explores how Harris devoted her life to helping others, from serving as the Attorney General of California, to being elected as a U.S. Senator, to working alongside President Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the White House.

The level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers. Explore Harris’s life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way to becoming a barrier-breaking leader and an inspiration to young people everywhere.

Key features include:

  • Expert-vetted text appropriate for ages 5 to 8
  • Engaging and brilliant historical images sourced by National Geographic
  • Fun approach to high-interest biographies

About the series: This high-interest, educationally-vetted readers series features magnificent National Geographic images accompanied by text written by experienced, skilled children’s book authors. Each reader includes a glossary and interactive features in which kids get to use what they’ve learned in the book. Level 1 readers reinforce the content of the book with a kinesthetic learning activity. Level 2 readers feature slightly higher-level text and additional vocabulary words. Level 3 readers have more layers of information to challenge more proficient readers. For emerging readers, the Pre-reader level introduces vocabulary and concepts, and the Co-reader level provides a collaborative reading experience.

Praise for National Geographic Readers:

“Reliable in format and solid in execution, this series works well to introduce children of varying
levels of reading comfort to nonfiction and research formats.”
―Maggie Reagan, Booklist

Complete your collection with these popular National Geographic Biography Readers:

  • National Geographic Readers: Stacey Abrams (Level 2)
  • National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (Level 2)
  • National Geographic Readers: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Level 3)
  • National Geographic Readers: Barack Obama (Level 2)

Summary of Stacey Abrams: Learn about the voting rights advocate and politician Stacey Abrams and her groundbreaking achievements in this appealing Level 2 reader. Young readers will find out about Abram’s childhood and her early career as a city attorney and as minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. The reader also explores her run in Georgia as the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for governor, and how losing
that race inspired her to devote her life to making elections and the voting process more equitable for everyone.

The level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers. Explore Abrams’s life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way to leading the fight against voter suppression and becoming a champion for change.

Key features include:
*Expert-vetted text appropriate for ages 5 to 8
*Engaging and brilliant historical images sourced by National Geographic
*Fun approach to high-interest biographies

About the series: This high-interest, educationally-vetted readers series features magnificent National Geographic images accompanied by text written by experienced, skilled children’s book authors. Each reader includes a glossary and interactive features in which kids get to use what they’ve learned in the book. Level 1 readers reinforce the content of the book with a kinesthetic learning activity. Level 2 readers feature slightly higher-level text and additional vocabulary words. Level 3 readers have more layers of information to challenge more proficient readers. For emerging readers, the Pre-reader level introduces vocabulary and concepts, and the Co-reader level provides a collaborative reading experience.

Praise for National Geographic Readers:

“Reliable in format and solid in execution, this series works well to introduce children of varying
levels of reading comfort to nonfiction and research formats.”
―Maggie Reagan, Booklist

Complete your collection with these popular National Geographic Biography Readers:

  • National Geographic Readers: Kamala Harris (Level 2)
  • National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (Level 2)
  • National Geographic Readers: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Level 3)
  • National Geographic Readers: Barack Obama (Level 2)

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for NavigationThese two books about trailblazing women are so inspiring. I read both books with my sons, and they were very inspired. These books beg to be shared. Teachers might set up learning stations for students. Each table could read a different National Geographic Kids book to learn about a different biography. Then, students might jigsaw to share key moments in the individuals’ lives. After reading this book with my sons, I asked them how the lives of Harris and Abrams could be used to inspire their own lives. They had some great answers. Every classroom needs to have a copy of these early readers.

Discussion Questions: 

  • What are some of the key moments in Harris’ and Abrams’ lives?
  • How do the text features build on your understandings?
  • How do Harris and Abrams inspire you?

Read This If You Love: Biographies; Informational Texts; Texts about Inspiring People

Recommended For: 

classroomlibrarybuttonsmall

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He was 7

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I have my own Goodreads now, so we keep track of everything I read. When I was 7, I read 253 books. Here are my favorites.

Books I Read Independently

The Sewer Rat Stink (Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel #1)
Geronimo Stilton: The Sewer Rat Stink
with Tom Angleberger, Story by Elisabetta Dami

It has exciting events, and I like the characters. My favorite character is Geronimo’s friend Hercule because he is funny.

Glitch: A Graphic Novel

Glitch by Sarah Graley

I like that it has gaming in it. It is very cool. My favorite thing that happened in Glitch was the surprise at the end. 

The Quest for Snacks (Cat & Cat Adventures #1)

Cat & Cat Adventures: The Quest for Snacks by Susie Yi

It is really funny. I like that the characters are cats and that they go to different worlds. 

Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives

Cat Kid: Comic Club series by Dav Pilkey

I like that it is a sequel to Dog Man but with Cat Kid. I really like the variety of the comics. 

Planetary-YUM (Waffles and Pancake, #1)CatStronauts: Mission MoonCatStronauts: Race to MarsCatStronauts: Robot RescueCatStronauts: Space Station SituationCatStronauts: Slapdash ScienceDigital Disaster

Catstronauts series by Drew Brockington

I like that it has cats. It is really scientific, so you can learn some stuff from it. 

Kat Kong

Cat Kong by Dav Pilkey

A good sequel to Dogzilla but with a cat. I like that it has collages. 

The Panda Problem

Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood

One of my favorite picture books ever. I like that it has a panda and is really funny–it also has aliens, food, and penguins! 

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's JournalRowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky StoriesRowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure

Rowley series by Jeff Kinney

I like the pictures, and I like that it has characters from other series also. Rowley is my favorite character because he is funny. 

Mr. Wolf's Class (Mr. Wolf's Class, #1)Mystery Club (Mr. Wolf's Class, #2)Field Trip: A Graphic Novel (Mr. Wolf's Class #4)

Mr. Wolf’s Class series by Aron Nels Steinke

My librarian recommended this series to me. It is a really good series because it is adventurous. My favorite part is in book number 2 when they start a secret club. 

Monster Friends

Monster Friends by Kaeti Vandorn

When I finished this book, I even lent it to a friend who I knew would like it. I liked the characters. My favorite character is Reggie because he is lazy, cute, and playful (sometimes). It is also really long book, so I was proud of finishing it. 

The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers (Super Diaper Baby, #2)

Super Diaper Baby series by Dav Pilkey

It is a really fun book because there is a super hero that is a baby in a diaper who has a cape and fights crime. And it is by Dav Pilkey!

The Invasion: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #1)The Visitor: A Graphic Novel (Animorphs #2)

Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate

I like when the characters change into real animals but it was epic for them to get to that point. It is very adventurous! And the alien apocalypse is cool.

The Boy Who Crashed to Earth (Hilo, #1)Saving the Whole Wide World (Hilo, #2)The Great Big Boom (Hilo, #3)Waking the Monsters (Hilo, #4)Then Everything Went Wrong (Hilo, #5)All the Pieces Fit (Hilo, #6)Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World (Hilo #7)

HiLo series by Judd Winick

My mom recommended this series to me! I like this series because it is adventurous and exciting. My favorite character is HiLo because he has super powers and awesome. My favorite book so far is #6, and I’m excited to read #8.

The Many Lives of Pusheen the Cat

The Many Lives of Pusheen the Cat by Claire Belton

I love Pusheen! I like knowing all the Pusheen kinds. 

Dog Man: Mothering Heights (Dog Man, #10)

Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey

I like it because Petey became a good guy instead of bad. I liked seeing Petey change over time.

Books I Read With Mom and/or Dad

The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Captain Underpants, #1)Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (Captain Underpants, #2)Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds (Captain Underpants, #3)Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (Captain Underpants, #4)Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman (Captain Underpants, #5)Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (Captain Underpants, #6)Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers (Captain Underpants, #7)

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

We listened to the audiobooks of the first 10. I liked it because it was exciting and fun and funny. My favorite character is… well, I like the 3 main characters but my favorites are Crackers and Zulu because they are good pets. I like listening to the audiobooks because I can imagine what it looks like. 

Red Pandas (National Geographic Readers)

National Geographic Kids: Red Pandas by Laura Marsh

I love red pandas, and I loved learning about them. And I liked the pictures because they were so cute. 

I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 (I Survived, #4)I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 (I Survived, #16)I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919 (I Survived, #19)I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (I Survived, #1)

I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis

We only read some, but I liked the ones we read. I liked learning about the events that happened. I am looking forward to reading more. 

Fussy Flamingo

Fussy Flamingo by Shelly Vaughan James

I liked it because it was silly and fun. 

Téo's Tutu

Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias

It was a good book because I liked that it was diverse, and I liked that it representing that boys can do what they want and girls can do what they want. What society says doesn’t matter. 

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion (Knuffle Bunny, #3)Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Knuffle Bunny, #2)

Knuffle Bunny series by Mo Willems

It is a good series because they are silly, and I liked watching Trixie grow up. I also liked finding pigeon in the books, and I even have my own Knuffle Bunny. 

Looking for a Jumbie

Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste

This book was adventurous and a little bit scary. 

The Snurtch

The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell

This book shows you that everyone has a snurtch, and it is annoying but we have to learn to deal with it and be kind to others. 

Past “Trent’s Favorite Books” Posts

Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First Three Months

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: Three to Six Months

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: Six to Nine Months

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Books: Nine to Twelve Months

A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey Through Books
**Check this one out if you haven’t–it is one of my favorite posts ever!**

Trent’s Favorite Books: One to Two Years Old

Ten of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His Third Birthday

Ten(ish) of Trent’s Favorite Books as of His Fourth Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His Fifth Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Reads as of His 6th Birthday

Trent’s Favorite Reads as a 6 Year Old

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/21/22

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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!

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Tuesday: Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia

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

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Kellee

Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioacti... by Dav Pilkey One-Punch Man, Vol. 1 by ONEGuardians of the Gryphon's Claw by Todd Calgi Gallicano The Selkie of San Francisco by Todd Calgi Gallicano

  • Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Teny Issakhanian: Reviewed here on March 1st!
  • Captain Underpants #10 by Dav Pilkey: Trent and I had listened to 1-9 of the Captain Underpants series and have been waiting for 10, and it is finally out! The audiobooks of Captain Underpants are great–I love the voices and the sound effects. Book 10 is when things really start getting even more odd, but it is still hilarious and a great story.
  • One-Punch Man, Vol 1 by ONE: Read this on the recommendation of a student to see if it is one to get for my library, and I found the read to be really quite epic. One Punch Man is exactly as he sounds (can beat anyone with one punch), and it is fun to read about the villains who try to take him on. His sarcasm and deadpan expressions are my favorite part.
  • Sam London #1 & #2 (Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw and The Selkie of San Franciscoby Todd Calgi Gallicano: I am so glad I decided to reread book one of this series, so I could read the sequels. Book one is as good as I remember and book two truly takes the story to a whole other level. I am a fan of how Gallicano incorporated mythology into this book–it is a great take that is different than others!

That Egg Is Mine! by Liz Goulet Dubois Mina by Matthew Forsythe I Need a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan Breaking Through the Clouds by Sandra Nickel Ear Worm! by Jo Knowles Ablaze with Color by Jeanne Walker Harvey

  • That Egg is Mine! by Liz Goulet Dubois: A fun story about finders keepers/sharing with an underlying message. I do love how there are early reader graphic novels available now, too!
  • Mina by Matthew Forsythe: I love Forsythe’s artwork, and his quirky stories work so well them with them! I love this book that makes you question if you should go by what you think is true or find out the truth yourself.
  • I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird: I’m sure most of you have heard Toby Price’s story by now, so I wanted to support him and the book by getting the book and reading it with Trent, and it is a new favorite of his now! I mean, butt humor is his favorite, so it is right up his alley😆
  • Breaking Through the Clouds by Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia: Reviewed here on March 15th!
  • Ear Worm! by Jo Knowles, illustrated by Galia Bernstein: When I saw this at the library, I was so excited! I made Trent stop right there and sit on the floor to read it, and we are both so smitten with the book. EVERYONE will connect with this book and also will get the Ear Worm‘s ear worm right in your head!
  • Ablaze with Color by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Loveis Wise: Reviewed here on March 8th!

To learn more about any of these books, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It’s the last day of spring break, and my family just left, so I will return next week! I have a LOT of new books to share!

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Kellee

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Tuesday: My Favorite Books I Read When I was 7 By Trent

Thursday:National Geographic Kids: Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant and Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai

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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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Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia

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Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson
Author: Sandra Nickel
Illustrator: Helena Perez Garcia
Published March 8, 2022 by Abrams

Summary: An inspiring picture book about the meteorologist whose discoveries helped us understand how weather works. When Joanne Simpson (1923-2010) was a girl, she sailed her boat beneath the puffy white clouds of Cape Cod. As a pilot, she flew her plane so high, its wings almost touched them. And when World War II began and Joanne moved to the University of Chicago, a professor asked her to teach Air Force officers about those very clouds and the weather-changing winds.

As soon as the war ended, Joanne decided to seriously study the clouds she had grown to love so much. Her professors laughed. They told her to go home. They told her she was no longer needed. They told her, “No woman ever got a doctorate in meteorology. And no woman ever will.”

But Joanne was stubborn. She sold her boat. She flew her last flight. She saved her money so that she could study clouds. She worked so hard and discovered so much that—despite what the professors said—she received a doctorate in meteorology. She was the first woman in the world to do so.

Breaking Through the Clouds tells the story of a trailblazing scientist whose discoveries about clouds and how they work changed everything we know about weather today.

Praise: “An energetic, compassionate examination of a determined researcher who left her mark on the field of atmospheric sciences.” — Publishers Weekly

About the Author: Sandra Nickel says that story ideas are everywhere; you just have to reach out and grab them.  She holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her first book, Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack, was awarded a Christopher Award and was a Golden Kite Award finalist. Sandra lives in Chexbres, Switzerland, where she blogs about children’s book writers and illustrators at whatwason.com. To learn more, visit https://sandranickel.com/.

Twitter:  @senickel
Facebook: @sandranickelbooks
Instagram: @sandranickelbooks

Review: I love learning about the women in our history that have broken through barriers to make it so we are where we are today with women’s rights, and there are so many and so many wonderful stories to tell–I am always so happy when I find a new one, and this one is a gem! Joanne Simpson is so kick butt! She not only broke barriers, she smashed them, jumped in a plane, and then broke through the clouds (hence the title!). It was so wonderful learning about her and how she stuck it to the men and showed what a phenomenal person she was.

Nickel does a fantastic job balancing Simpson’s story as a meteorologist with her story of the sexism she faced during her education and working. We learn about how she used the traits that others saw as negative, like stubbornness and focus, to take the world by storm. Along with the colorful, page-filling illustrations, this book is beautiful, educational, and inspiring.

Curriculum Guide with Activities and Discussion Questions:

Flagged Passages: 

Book Trailer: 

Read This If You Love: Picture book biographies, especially about science, weather, or women’s history

Recommended For: 

classroomlibrarybuttonsmall 

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**Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/14/22

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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!

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Tuesday: Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Thursday: Bright Star by Yuyi Morales

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

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Kellee

Still Spring Break here! See you next Monday 🙂

To learn more about any books I’m reading, check out my 2022 Goodreads Challenge page  or my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It’s Spring Break!

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Tuesday: Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Helena Pérez García

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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!

 Signature andRickiSig

Bright Star by Yuyi Morales

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Bright Star
Author and Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Published September 7, 2021 by Neal Porter Books

Summary: A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book

Inspiring, reassuring, and beautifully illustrated, this new story from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Dreamers is the perfect gift for every child.

New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year

With the combination of powerful, spare language and sumptuous, complex imagery characteristic of her work, Yuyi Morales weaves the tale of a fawn making her way through a landscape that is dangerous, beautiful—and full of potential.  A gentle voice urges her onward, to face her fears and challenge the obstacles that seek to hold her back.

Child, you are awake!
You are alive!
You are a bright star,
Inside our hearts.

With a voice full of calm, contemplative wisdom, readers are invited to listen and observe, to accept themselves—and to dare to shout!

In a world full of uncertainty, Bright Star seeks to offer reassurance and courage. Yuyi Morales’ first book since her New York Times bestseller Dreamers explores the borderlands—the plants, animals, and insects that make their home in the desert, and the people who live and travel through this unique and beautiful part of the world.

Created with a combination of techniques including hand-embroidered lettering, painting, sketching, digital paintings with textures from photographs of the Sonoran Desert, this stunning book is full of beauty—from the handwoven blanket of the endpapers through the last inspiring spread of young families facing their future with determination and hope.

A Spanish language edition, Lucero, is also available.

Ricki’s Review: I took a deep breath after I finished this book. It’s really quite magnificent. The words, the use of language, the mixed media of the illustrations—it all works together to offer a warm embrace for readers. I felt as if Yuyi was speaking directly to me, as the reader. This is a book that will resonate with all readers. It share the beauty of the borderlands and demonstrates Morales’ flexibility to maneuver language and illustration in ways that are, quite simply, captivating. Typically, I donate my books after I read them, but this is going to be one that I have a hard time giving away. I want to read it again and again. I might just need to buy copies for everyone I know. Most of all, I love how this book offered great hope.

Kellee’s Review: This beautiful book is a guide to life and an ode to parenthood & community. The use of second person engages the reader in a way that wouldn’t have happened without this choice. This moves the reader and really sets the mood of the book and makes it an excellent read aloud! The book is alsoabout facing fears, all types of fears that may come a child’s way during their life. But it also promotes students advocating for their feelings and using their voice to share what they feel. All of this in a beautifully illustrated, scarcely (but specifically) worded text. This shows what a brilliant author and illustrator Yuyi Morales is.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Teachers might ask students to share out the many ways that they can layer literacies—through images and language. Then, they might try to layer literacy themselves. Perhaps they could translanguage or offer images layered in text.

Discussion Questions: 

  • How does the use of second person point of view draw you into the text?
  • What types of illustration and imagery does Morales use?
  • What did you learn about the borderlands?
  • What did you learn about yourself?

Flagged Spread: 

Read This If You Love: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, The Refuge by Sandra Le Guen, The Arrival by Shaun Tan, Refugee by Alan Gratz, The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Recommended For: 

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and Signature

**Thank you, Sara at Holiday House, for providing copies for review!**