05.20.13 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Thanks to Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts for hosting the meme “It’s Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA”.

I didn’t quite carve out the time I was hoping to read as much from my chapter books this week, but I did sneak in some wonderful picture books into the mix. Here’s a peak . . .

Click the book covers to go to Goodreads for the full summaries . . .

My favorite picture books from the week: I do believe I need to thank Carrie for steering me toward many of these titles!

This is a GORGEOUSLY illustrated story of a fairy-like guardian of orphaned seeds. This would be a beautiful addition to a study of seeds and plants, and is most certainly a great companion read to Miss Rumphius. Recommend for grades K-3. (2013)

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Sweet tale, originally published in France, about how a friendship develops between two wolves. The relationship moves from cautiously checking each other out, to carefully extending offers of friendship and companionship, to missing each other dearly when separated. Cute, slightly distorted animal illustrations. Recommend for grades K-4. (US 2009, France 2005)

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I enjoyed this whimsical look at Sasquatch life, in particular probably because we live in the heart of Sasquatch-country here in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch is the stuff of legend on camping trips with our family and friends. This book made for an entertaining and humorous read aloud. Spires’s illustrations, especially the little details, were great. Recommend for grades K-4. (2012)

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I adore Calef Brown’s poetry books, and this picture book was great, colorful, rhyming fun. Both pirate fans and Calef Brown fans will delight. Great for K-3 (2012)

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Finished this middle grade novel:

Fantastic mystery with a bit of science and magic thrown in. Great for 4th grade – 7th grade. (2013)

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Finished this on audio . . .

Tina is awesome. Tine reading this is perfect, and perfectly entertaining.

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Next I will continue . . .

Young adult title. (2013)

And then one of these . . .

Do share what you are reading! Have a great week!

05.13.13 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

May13

Thanks to Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts for hosting the meme “It’s Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA”.

I had anticipated a reading filled week, but folks, it was 70 and 80 degrees last week. In Seattle. In May. Some summers we can count the number of 80 degree days on one hand. And if there is one thing to know about people who live in the Seattle-area, when it is 70+, we drop everything and head outside to soak it up. While I did do some reading, I just didn’t finish anything. As the rain returns this week, so does the reading, I suspect!

Click the book covers to go to Goodreads for the full summaries.

I finished these picture books . . .

I love Bear and Mouse and their Frog and Toad-like relationship. If you don’t know the Bear and Mouse books, start with the first in the series, A Visitor for Bear, which by all means MUST be read aloud. I am impressed with the vocabulary on this one. Recommend for grades pre-K – 2nd grade. (2011)

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Fogliano and Stead make a great pair in this just release book. The story, to me, is a lovely mashup of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Harold and the Purple Crayon, if Harold were hunting for a whale. Charming. Recommend for grades K-3. (2013)

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I’m continuing these books . . .

Adult, Memoir:

Set this one to the side for a bit to read The Water Castle.

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Loving this one so far! The suspense builds masterfully. Something creepy is going on in that old house!

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Continuing this on audio . . .

Soccer tryouts for my oldest meant a long walk with this audio gem. A bonus of listening to this book is being able to hear the audio from some of her skits as Sarah Palin on SNL. Priceless.

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Next up . . . (still!)

Do share what you are reading! Have a great week!

Treat Tuesday! 05.07.13

May7

It’s Tuesday! I am joining in the fun, created by Niki at Daydream Reader, called Treat Tuesday, where we snap a quick photo of what we are reading and a treat we are enjoying. And thanks to Shannon (aka Ms. Houghton) for the meme logo seen above. Inspired by my Twitter pal, Maria, I’m including what my kids are enjoying as well. Follow all the treat fun on Twitter under the hash tag #TreatTuesday.

The Books and Our Treat!

The Treat — Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

I don’t say these words lightly, but these cookies are my favorite. Admittedly, I am a huge coconut fan, but they’re so good. And true to their name they really are chewy. The girls say they like them to, but then again maybe they’re appeasing their coconut obsessed mother. This recipe comes from Two Peas and Their Pod.

Small (age 8, third grade)

The Missing Golden Ticket and Other Splendiferous Secrets, by Roald Dahl. This book, which is partly filled with Dahl, facts and trivia, also contains a missing chapter from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, plus the original ending to the book. Like me, Small is a huge Roald Dahl fan and she was delighted to find this in the children’s biography section at our public library.

Tall (age 11, fifth grade)

Shetland in the Shed, by Ben M. Bagglio. When Tall wasn’t able to go to the library with us the other day, she requested we find an Animal Ark book for her and this was our find. She hasn’t read a ton in the series, but seems to like them when she does.

Me

The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore. I’m so excited to start this one, as it has been get stellar reviews from Twitter and Goodreads readers. The summary from the publisher, Walker Books for Young Children:

Ephraim Appledore-Smith is an ordinary boy, and up until his father’s stroke he lived an ordinary life. But all that changes when his family moves to the Water Castle-their ancestral home in the small town of Crystal Springs.

Mallory Green’s family has always been the caretakers of the Water Castle-and the guardians of its secrets. She has been raised to protect the legendary Fountain of Youth, hidden on the estate grounds. But ever since her mom left, she’s stopped believing in magic.

Will Wylie’s family has been at war with the Applegates for generations, all because of the Water Castle’s powerful secrets. But Will has rejected legend and magic, putting all his faith in science.

When Ephraim learns of the Fountain, he’s sure finding it can cure his dad. With Mallory and Will’s help, the trio embarks on a mission that brings them deep into their families’ shared history, through every secret room in the Water Castle, and on a quest that will blur the lines of magic and science, creativity and discovery, leaving readers left to wonder: Do you believe in the unbelievable?

Many describe it as terrific, classic storytelling at its finest. The cover even has an old-fashioned feel to it that makes me think of my favorite series as a kid, The Famous Five by Edith Blyton.

My other recent bookish posts:

It’s Monday — 05/06/13

Book Fairy Visit to 4th/5th Grade: The Cloak Society

Book Fairy Visit to 3rd Grade: Platypus Police Squad

Hope you’re savoring whatever you are reading and snacking upon!

05.06.13 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

May6

Thanks to Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts for hosting the meme “It’s Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA”.

I’m rolling off (Mostly) Screen Free Week, so this is a summary of reading over the last two weeks. Some great titles and some ho-hums, but overall it was great to carve out a few extra minutes here and there to read.

Click the book covers to go to Goodreads for the full summaries.

My Favorite Picture Books of the last two weeks . . .

I just adore Bear and his friends, and this title from the series is no exception. I love how they selfless care for each other. Yet another title from Wilson/ Chapman with great rhyming text and warm, gentle illustrations. Recommend for preschool – grade 2. (2007)

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Hysterical–might be my favorite Scaredy yet. Campers will definitely love this one. Recommend for preschool – third grade. (2013)

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I was looking for another Viva book when I found this one instead. The graphic art style caught my eye, so I looked inside the cover to read about how the art was created. It was originally created via computer as one continuous 35′ long piece of paper. Wouldn’t that be cool to see? Sparse words, but enjoyable to pour over slowly. Recommend for grades K-5. (2011)

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Finished for a Read Aloud . . .

After I read this by myself, I suspected it would make a fabulous read aloud with all the mysterious clues that are slowly revealed to the reader. Indeed I was correct, my kids begged me to read this on many an occasion. The cries of disbelief from both my girls (third and fifth graders), at certain plotline revelations were awesome. I can imagine it’d be just as fun in a larger group setting as a read aloud. Recommend for grades 4-7 alone, or grades 3-6 as a read aloud. (2013)

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Finished Non-fiction Chapter Book:

Interesting narrative, non-fiction account of the gang of criminals who attempted to steal the President’s body in exchange for ransom. Sheinkin has this genre figured out. Recommend for grades 4-8. (2013)

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Finished Middle Grade Fiction

Lovely, just lovely, and easily one of my favorite books that I’ve read thus far in 2013. Fans of Linda Urban’s Hound Dog True must pick this one up. Sugar is one powerful character, who endures slowly and bravely through the most challenging of circumstances. Often heart-breaking, but Sugar’s tenacious attitude gives you hope. I wish ever child facing homelessness and parental issues had the positive people that surround and lift Sugar up. Recommend for grades 4-7. (2012)

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Timmy is an over-confident kid detective with little to no detective skills. His oversights and omissions are painfully and amusingly clear to the reader. With lots of illustrations and a fast pace, this will surely appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and the Big Nate series. This is the first title in the series. Recommend for grades 3-6. (2013)

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I found the 1943 Newbery Medal winner set in the middle ages much more enjoyable than I had anticipated . . . Still not sure I’d hand it off to a kid today, though. (1942)

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Continuing to listen to . . .

I’m not alone, but I love Tina.

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Will finish . . .

A memoir from the author of one of my favorite blogs, Tea & Cookies. Goodreads reviews are a bit harsh, but I’m enjoying it so far.

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Next up . . .

So, so excited to start this one! Described by many as just good, classic storytelling.

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Deciding between these two titles. Votes?

Do share what you are reading! Have a great week!

I’m unplugging . . . Will you join me?

Apr28

It is going to be hard. Really hard, I suspect. From Monday April 29 – May 5th, I’ve taken a pledge to go “screen free”. Beyond this announcement post, I will not be doing any other blog posting this week here at this site. I’ll also being saying goodbye to Twitter and Facebook for the week. I will not watch tv, which frankly will be less of an issue for me, because I’m really just an occasional tv show watcher.

I’m unplugging (mostly*) for the week, mainly as a challenge to myself, as I suspect I’m rather addicted to my gadgets and all the instantaneous access to information and connections that they offer me. I know that I’ve said on more than one occasion to my family, “Just a minute,” as I finish up reading or sending a tweet or text. Not exactly the model I want to set for my kids. I’m also challenging my children to step away from the screen (mostly*) for the week. It is safe to say they aren’t thrilled at the idea, but I think they understand the principal of the week, so they’re on board, too.

Are you curious as to how you’d survive being unplugged? Does dropping off-line for a week sound too daunting? Try it for a day. Have a screen free day (or two!) for the whole family. Join me, and then circle back to share your experiences be they for a day or for the week.

Here’s the official pledge from the group organizing the Screen-Free Week, The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.

On April 29-May 5, 2013 I pledge to:

Watch no TV or DVDs, play no video or mobile games, and only use the computer if it’s required for work;
Encourage my friends and family to go screen-free with me;
Explore new screen-free activities; and
HAVE FUN!

What I will be giving up:

Television
Facebook
Goodreads (gulp!)
Pinterest (bigger gulp!) — I gulp mainly because that’s where I store my recipes; I’ll don’t think I will miss my “stream” of pins from friends too much.
Twitter (double gulp!)

*What technology will be happening:

I WILL be checking and responding to email, but I’m challenging myself to do it less often during the day. I’m currently managing a couple of school related projects so to go completely dark here feels a bit irresponsible.
I WILL be responding to texts, but not initiating any. Instead, you might get an old-fashioned phone call from me!
I WILL be posting one blog post for my Book Fairy site this week as I am visiting my daughter’s third grade classroom and use my blog during my sharing time with them.
My kids will be allowed to use the computer for school work, and my oldest’s eye therapy sessions . . . beyond that, no devices, computers, or televisions for them.

My hope for the week is that I will be more aware of how much time I “lose” each day to my current level of connectedness. Arguments can certainly be made that at least some of that time is enriching, but it is safe to say a whole lot of it falls into the wasteful, or unnecessary category. I’m looking forward to this gift of time and plan to use it to read, get some much-needed gardening done, work on some organizing projects around the house, and connect on the simplest level with my kids. In other words, I hope to just be present. I’ve even done my meal planning for the week and printed off all of my recipes, so that I don’t have to go onto Pinterest to find them. In brainstorming this evening with the girls about non-tech alternatives, we talked about activities we could do and included baking and playing games. I imagine there will most certainly be some rocky moments during the week, as wills begin to crumble, but I’m hopeful that we will all be appreciative of this forced down time.

What will I miss the most this week? Twitter. Definitely Twitter.

I hope that you have a great week, and I will most definitely report back on how it went for me and my family!