Styling Librarian #IMWAYR It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

Thanks to: TeachMentorTexts  and Unleashing Readers for the inspiration! Thanks to Jen and Kellee for the meme! Enjoying books week by week… I decided to spread out what I’m reading recently over a few weeks… so this isn’t everything but I’ve enjoyed them all!

Unicorn on a Roll – Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
by Dana Simpson – http://wp.me/p26edI-4Rn

The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle by  Jude Isabella, illustrated by Simone Shin – Beautiful, inspiring concept- to donate an object and have it go to someone who needed it and then for it to be passed on again.
Reason 1 I loved this book: bicycling, hooray!
Reason 2: I appreciated a celebration of reusing objects
Reason 3: I’m so grateful for others to have the opportunity to read about how one action can benefit so many. Have a feeling this book will inspire so many.
Goodreads Summary: “In this unique nonfiction picture book, the main character is a bicycle that starts its life like so many bicycles in North America, being owned and ridden by a young boy. The boy, Leo, treasures his bicycle so much he gives it a name — Big Red. But eventually Leo outgrows Big Red, and this is where the bicycle’s story takes a turn from the everyday, because Leo decides to donate it to an organization that ships bicycles to Africa. Big Red is sent to Burkina Faso, in West Africa, where it finds a home with Alisetta, who uses it to gain quicker access to her family’s sorghum field and to the market. Then, over time, it finds its way to a young woman named Haridata, who has a new purpose for the bicycle — renamed Le Grand Rouge — delivering medications and bringing sick people to the hospital.”

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Grace Zong – This is a very cute story about a little girl who believes in having good luck and hope for a new year. The book introduces the Chinese New Year traditions a little bit throughout. Also, it has a lovely spin-off of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is a special book.
Goodreads Summary: “In this Chinese American retelling of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a careless Goldy Luck wreaks havoc on the home of a family of panda bears. She eats up the littlest panda’s rice porridge, breaks his rocking chair, and rumples all the blankets on his futon. When Goldy takes responsibility for her actions, she makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!) just in time for Chinese New Year.”

When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Jill McElmurry – Beautiful introduction to divorce and blended families. Loved the perspective of a little coyote who thinks his life is already perfect just the way it is but when his mom is courted by Otis, perhaps Cardell’s perspective will change.
Goodreads Summary: “Apart from sticker burrs and sand fleas, Cardell’s life is mostly wonderful. He knows he’s loved through and through by his perfectly good mama and his perfectly good daddy. They live in different parts of the desert, but that’s okay—Cardell is mostly used to it. Then Otis comes calling, and Cardell feels a grrr form in his throat. Otis can’t make jalapeño flapjacks or play Zig-the-Zag anything like Cardell’s daddy. And so Cardell waits for Mama to say “Adiós, Otis.” But what will happen if she doesn’t?”

Monsters Love School by Mike Austin – I enjoyed and chuckled my way through this book about a little monster who is scared to go to school for the first time. Quite an entertaining story. Great illustrations.
Goodreads Summary: “Celebrate the beginning of school with hilarious, energetic monsters inMonsters Love School from picture-book author-illustrator Mike Austin. Summer is over, and now it’s time for the biggest adventure of all . . . Monster School! Join these colorful monsters as they go to school for the first time. Reading and writing and learning your monster history has never been so much fun!”

This book just ate my dog! By Richard Byrne – I just love interactive books. They make me laugh so much, especially to read them aloud to students. This book didn’t disappoint, really cute about a girl who is taking her dog for a walk but then is shocked when her dog is eaten by the book they are in. Great read. Probably something I’ll want to share at the beginning of a school year.
Goodreads Summary: “When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right. Cleverly using the physicality of the book,”

Pete the Cat and the New Guy by Kimberly and James Dean – I enjoyed this book overall. It isn’t too memorable and there’s a few clunky bits that I wasn’t so confident about for a read aloud, but I enjoyed the idea of a cat making friends with a platypus. I also appreciated how the platypus wasn’t successful or able to do many things the friends were able to do… and how they finally found something that everyone could enjoy.
Goodreads Summary: “There’s a new guy in town, and Pete can’t wait to meet him. After all, more friends means more fun. But who can he be?
When Pete finally meets Gus, he realizes they’re very different from each other. But that’s what makes him cool: Gus is special in his own way, just like Pete and just like you, and there is something everyone can do!”

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld – Oh, this was such a cute idea for a book. I love when these two book creators work together. Here’s a lovely exploration of what is “ok”. Appreciate the simple reflection on how not being fantastic at something is just fine.
Goodreads Summary: “In this clever and literal play on words, OK is turned on its side, upside down, and right side up to show that being OK can really be quite great. Whether OK personifies an OK skipper, an OK climber, an OK lightning bug catcher, or an OK whatever there is to experience, ok is an OK place to be. And being OK just may lead to the discovery of what makes one great.”

 

Want more book ideas and reviews? – Yes, I’m quite brief, but a prolific reader!  Please visit me at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1941055-the-styling-librarian Also, please follow this blog through email updates – (do so to the right of this blog post), my Facebook page, comment, or meet up with me on Twitter. I appreciate all of the support, makes my day! Honored by all the wonderful followers.

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