It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey as a way to share what you have read and/or reviewed in the past week. It's also a terrific way to find out what other people are reading.

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers have given this meme a children's literature focus: picture books, middle grade novels, etc. They "encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting the other bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

 

What a difference a week makes! We are definitely sitting in extraordinary times and I'm pretty sure we've never seen anything like this. The spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) across America has affected just about everyone. As schools, colleges, businesses, sporting events, museums, and even the library close, suddenly we're all shut away in our homes and very, very anxious. As it goes, I had just picked up a HUGE order of books to review, when I was informed that the libraries were going to close until at least the middle of April! I let all of my local friends know that they still had a few days to load up on books for the kids that are home from school! Hopefully, wherever you are, you find time to unplug from the madness on TV and social media, go for a walk if the weather is nice, or curl up with a good book. Stay safe and HEALTHY and of course, READ! Here's what I've been reading this past week:

Picture Books

Leave It to Abigail!: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams by Barb Rosenstock, Elizabeth Baddeley (Illustrator)

This fascinating picture book biography tells the story of the second first lady of America, and the first first lady to live in the White House. Born in the mid-18th century, Abigail Adams lived during a time when most ladies led quiet lives in obedience to their husbands. But Abigail Adams was outspoken, hard-working, and unafraid to let her opinions be known. Her husband, John Adams, was a busy lawyer and politician during the American Revolutionary War. They were very close and work together to help the founding of our country. This beautifully illustrated narrative is a good nonfiction resource to have on the bookshelf!

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring by Buffy Silverman

Everyone who knows me, knows that winter is one of my least favorite seasons. So I'm always happy to see signs of spring anywhere I can find them. This awesome picture book uses bouncy, rhyming text and terrific close-up photographs to share the joy of the change of seasons - from winter to spring.

Grama's Hug by Amy Nielander 

This sweet picture book celebrates the special relationships children can have with their grandparents, especially when the grandparent is the primary caregiver. The book spares young readers the details, but it's clear that circumstances require young May to come and live with Grama. The two become very close, almost inseparable. And no matter what happens as May grows up, young readers will learn that you're never to busy, old, or important to stop and give your loved ones a hug. I like that lots of kids will recognize themselves in this book and see that all sorts of families rely on hugs and affection to get by in this world.

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

Good friends remain good friends, even when there are miles and miles of distance between them. This lovely picture book celebrates shared experiences between friends and helps young readers think of ways to keep in touch with those who have moved away. Llewelyn and Evelyn both enjoy collecting their favorite moments in jars - which also will have readers considering how it would be possible to save things like a rainbow, a chilly wind before a snowstorm, or the newness of spring in a glass container. When Evelyn's family moves away, Llewelyn finds a way to continue sharing these things with her. I love that this book shows us that friendship doesn't have to end, even when people's addresses change. I also think that this book could inspire young writers and artists to consider what wonderful moments they would like to preserve in jars, if they could. As the seasons change, this could be a great way to interact with family and friends and think of ways to capture these moments.

Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers by Laura Renauld, Brigette Barrager (Contributor)

I grew up watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, and I think it is awesome that there are so many biographical books and movies celebrating his career and ministry through children's television. This wonderful picture book biography uses colorful illustrations and interesting narrative text to share his life story with young readers. I like that the author points out that Fred Rogers was a shy child with health issues that required him to stay indoors a lot. Fred found ways to manage his emotions in a healthy way and made it his mission to help teach children to do the same. If today's children are unfamiliar with this program, it might be fun to find videos of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood to share along with this book.

The Girl and the Dinosaur by Hollie Hughes, Sarah Massini (Illustrations)

Anyone that's ever imagined being whisked away to a fun, new place by an exciting, magical creature will definitely enjoy the trip in this lovely picture book. Beautiful illustrations and lyrical, rhyming text share the story of Marianne. Marianne spends hours by herself digging up dinosaur bones on the beach. One night at bedtime, she wishes with all her heart that her dinosaur would come to life. And of course, pretty soon there was a tapping on her window. Young readers will love the magical journey to a playland in the sky and appreciate the newfound friends that start digging holes on the beach with Marianne. This would be a great book to share as a bedtime story.

The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey 

This lovely picture book looks at the generations of a Texas farm through the eyes of an old pickup truck. The narration shows a farm and a shiny red pickup truck. Everyone works hard on the farm, including the truck. Eventually the truck wears out and becomes nearly forgotten. Until a new generation discovers and refurbishes the truck. Once again everyone works hard and the truck gets tired. In the end, we see yet another generation discover the truck. This truck reminds me of the trucks my father and grandfathers drove when I was growing up in Iowa. Those trucks parked in the driveway always told you exactly who was around. It's interesting how closely our vehicles become tied up with who we are and where we are in our lives.

Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrations)

This fascinating historical fiction picture book uses gorgeously painted illustrations and engaging narrative text to tell the story of a family headed north, from North Carolina to New York, as part of the Great Migration during the earlier part of the twentieth century. The author describes the Overground Railroad in an endnote as a "railway system that carried millions of blacks who left the South during the Great Migration. At times, this system was as much a covert operation as the Underground Railroad, as the owners of farms who operated tenant farms, also called sharecropping, used threats of violence and other tactics to prevent workers from leaving. The sharecropping system kept many of its black tenants perpetually in debt to their landlords and made it 'illegal' to leave without permission or before repaying the debts incurred for planting and other supplies. As a result, many blacks departed on trains north under the cover of night or secretly boarded trains miles from home in neighboring towns for the chance at better employment, education, and a life in the North free from oppression." This is definitely a great book to have on the shelf as part of a greater study of the history of African Americans and the civil rights movement. I also could see this book as an awesome resource to use in a church Sunday School setting as there are awesome parallels to the exodus of Moses and the Israelites to the Promised Land. This is a book that really should be shared with all young readers.

Roar Like a Dandelion by Ruth Krauss, Sergio Ruzzier (Illustrations)

For every letter of the alphabet there is a playful example of figurative language in this clever picture book. Young readers will have fun looking at all of the wonderful ways to play with words. This could be a great way to talk to kids about figurative language, especially similes. It could also inspire young writers to look for ways to share their own examples of plays on words.

Ball & Balloon by Rob Sanders, Helen Yoon (Contributor)

Sometimes it seems that others have it so much better than everyone else, and that can leave people feeling down and like they're not good enough. Balloon is so light and able to fly high above everyone else. Ball wishes he weren't so earth bound. But it turns out that, with the help of others, ball is able to fly and roll and do all sorts of things. I like that when Balloon starts to feel deflated, Ball doesn't leave him behind. We're all meant to be in relationship and community with others and this book celebrates that.

Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh 

I love the special bond the little girl and the grandfather share in this sweet picture book. Young readers will appreciate the routine the grandfather has built around this special day he spends with the little girl every Thursday. As the grandfather goes to town and purchase craft supplies and lunch, readers might be able to infer what the craft project will be. Lovely illustrations and simple, inviting text make this a great book to share with young children. It could also be a good way to inspire writers to share their own special memories about grandparents or another special person.

Can I Keep It? by Lisa Jobe 

Those that have every begged their parents for a pet will definitely appreciate this fun picture book. The little boy in this book asks his mom what would happen if a squirrel, frog, or bird followed him home. When his mother gently reminds him that these animals belong in nature, he starts to wonder if he'll ever find the perfect pet. This book could definitely start some good discussions about taking care of animals and also might inspire young writers to describe their own perfect pets.

The Little Green Hen by Alison Murray 

This new twist on the classic Little Red Hen, shows young readers that while not everyone is always willing to help, it's important to help your neighbors anyway. The Little Green Hen has a lot of work to do to take care of the apple tree in which she lives. When she asks for help taking care of it, the dog, the little bird, and a squirrel lend a hand, but not the peacock, fox, or cat. When a flood comes, and the tree is the only safe place to stay dry - the Little Green Hen still welcomes the animals that refused to help her earlier. Of course, once the flood waters recede, these animals changed their tune and became better friends. I like that this book has a good message about being kind and offering forgiveness to our neighbors in need.

My Little Chick by Géraldine Elschner 

Being patient is difficult, especially when you're waiting for an egg to hatch. Lena loves spending time with the chickens in the barnyard, but she really wants to see some young chicks. When Alma, a hen, lays an egg and leaves it lying in the hay, Lena decides she wants to see if she can hatch the egg herself. Things don't work out with the first egg, but then her family gets involved and helps her build an incubator and learn how to care for the egg. This would be a good way to talk to young readers about the science behind eggs hatching. The lovely illustrations and engaging narrative text make this a good book to share with young readers, especially as part of a unit on birds.

Corduroy Writes a Letter by Alison Inches, Don Freeman, Allan Eitzen (Illustrations)

This cute picture book helps young readers see how helpful writing letters can be. The cute little teddy bear, Corduroy, helps Lisa write business letters to the bakery, the movie theater and the local radio station. As a result, the bakery's cookies have more sprinkles, the lights on the marquee sign are replaced, and Lisa's favorite song is played more often on the radio. This would be a good way to talk to kids about writing business letters.