It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 10/2/17

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here are Etta’s and my reads this week-

Fenway & Hattie Up to New Tricks by Victoria Coe

Global Read Aloud launches today so perfect timing to read the latest adventure of Fenway and Hattie!

In the third book in the series, Fenway has definitely adjusted to his new suburban home. Told from his point of view, Fenway shares his excitement playing with Hattie in the Dog Park (backyard) and hanging out with his canine neighbors, Goldie and Patches.  But Fenway does not like the chipmunk that is invading his territory and spreading its horrible odor everywhere!

While enjoying a game of keep away, Fenway spies that menacing chipmunk and in his quest to catch the chipmunk, Fenway gets stung on his paw by bees. Ouch! The story continues with Fenway’s account of visiting the vet (aka Spicy Breath and Table of Panic) and enduring the Cone of Doom. Hattie is supposed to his best buddy but she keeps giving him baths and applying yucky cream on his paw. Being a dog is tough!

Etta can emphasize with Fenway. She has had first hand experience with the Cone of Doom.  She did not like it either Fenway!

Each time I read Fenway & Hattie, I know that I am blessed to have Etta in my life. Having the unconditional love of a dog is a precious gift. Thank you Victoria for that beautiful reminder.  I hope Fenway will be sharing more of his adventures with Hattie!

Special thanks to Victoria for providing our #bookexcursion group with an advance  copy of Fenway & Hattie Up to New Tricks, which will be released on January 2, 2018.

Ride On Will Cody by Caroline Starr Rose Illustrated by Joe Lillington

Participating in #classroombookaday, I am constantly hunting for picture books to share with students from a variety of genres; therefore, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review Caroline Starr Rose’s new historical fiction picture book Ride On Will Cody.

Written in lyrical verse, Caroline Starr Rose beautifully tells the legend of young Will Cody who later gained notoriety as folk hero and Wild West showman, Buffalo Bill.  Her precise choice of words perfectly captures the extreme weather conditions and harsh terrain that Pony Express riders faced on their daily routes.  Joe Lillington’s illustrations support the text by dramatically depicting the riders’ arduous journey.

At the end of the book, the author shares historical research about the Pony Express and Will Cody.  As a teacher, I appreciate that students can read facts and gain a better knowledge of America’s westward expansion.

Special thanks to Caroline Starr Rose for providing our #bookexcursion group with a copy of Ride On Will Cody, which was released on October 1, 2017.

Chicken Wants a Nap by Tracy Marchini  Illustrated by Monique Felix

It is a good day to be a chicken or is it? All she wants to do is take a nap but Chicken keeps getting interrupted.  On my first read, I immediately knew children will fall in love with this picture book.  Chicken Wants a Nap is a story meant to be read aloud and its concise text and repeated phrases allows children to join in the reading. The warm illustrations bring the text to life and vividly show not only the mood, but also Chicken’s emotions as she searches for a comfortable place to nap.  After reading the last page, I guarantee children will say “Read it again!”

Special thanks to Tracy Marchini for sending a copy of her debut picture book to our #bookexcursion group. It was released in August 2017.

Piper Green and the Family Tree by Ellen Potter Illustrated by Qin Leng

Piper Green (proper noun):

1. Lives on Peek a Boo Island in Maine and has an older brother named Erik and little brother named Leo.
2. Rides a lobster boat to her school which is on Mink Island
3. Delights young readers with her spunk and boldness

It’s the first day of school but there is an empty chair at the breakfast table.  Piper’s brother, Erik now lives on the mainland because there is no high school on Mink Island.  To ease her sadness, Piper decides to wear Erik’s monkey earmuffs. Unfortunately, everyone else does not approve of her accessory including her new teacher Ms. Arabella.

Unwillingly to take off the earmuffs, Piper decides to skip school to avoid Ms. Arabella and hides out in a tree.  Little does Piper know that it is the Fairy Tree. Her neighbor Mrs. Pennypocket tells her about the tree’s history and the way the tree works-you take a treasure and you leave a treasure. Read this charming story to find out what treasures Piper gets and what she leaves in return.

So excited to meet Piper and can’t wait to share her with my transitional readers. Children will enjoy Piper’s plucky disposition. Currently, there are five books in the series.

Etta and I thank you so much for reading!  Have a great week!