It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/19/18

Etta, Bella, and I are excited to share our reads for another edition of 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.

Our Reads This Week:

Jasmine Toguchi: Drummer Girl by Debbi Michiko Florence   Illustrated by Elizabeth Vukovic

In the third book in the series, Jasmine is excited about the school talent show.  While she has many talents such as climbing trees, pounding mochi, and making collages, Jasmine needs to quickly find a talent she can showcase on stage.  When her mother asks Jasmine why she likes these things, she responds that they make her feel free, strong, and happy.  Her mom then shares her love of playing the taiko.  With the help of one of her mom’s college friends, Kat, Jasmine learns how to play the traditional Japanese drum.

Jasmine is worried about her performance especially because new student Maggie Milsap keeps trying to turn the talent show into a competition.  With the support of her older sister, Jasmine soon learns that practice, not natural talent, is what makes one perform well.  And of course, Kat teaches her the best lesson of all-it’s not about being perfect, it’s about having fun!

I just love Jasmine and have recommended this series to countless students this year.  I greatly appreciate how Debbie Michiko Florence has created a character that can be both a mirror and window to young readers.  Readers can identify with Jasmine’s spunk and insecurities while also learn about Japanese traditions.

Special thanks to Debbi Michiko Florence for sending Drummer Girl on an ARC tour with our #bookexcursion group.  Pre-order now like me so you will receive your copy promptly on April 3, 2018.  And if you love Jasmine as much as I do, pre-order the fourth book, Flamingo Girl, too!

 

Poe Won’t Go by Kelly DiPucchio  Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

Mysteriously, a frowning elephant named Poe shuts down the town of Prickly Valley sitting in the only road in town. Despite all the townspeople’s extraordinary efforts, Poe just won’t go.  Not tolerating a parked pachyderm in Prickly Valley, the mayor is determined to solve the problem of Poe.  But alas, not even a person dressed as a peanut on roller skates worked.  A thoughtful young girl named Marigold finally asked the mayor, “Has anyone asked Poe why he won’t go?”   As soon as Marigold approaches Poe, his frown turned into a smile and she begins to uncover why Poe has not moved and how to help him.

I love Kelly DiPucchio’s picture books because they not only entertain but also teach readers important messages.  Poe Won’t Go teaches readers that sometimes asking the right questions, listening, and observing is the best way to solve a problem.   Zachariah OHora’s gorgeous acrylic and pencil illustrations never disappoint.   I am always amazed at the amount of details that he can draw in a spread without overwhelming the reader.

Special thanks to Kelly DiPucchio for sending a F & G of Poe Won’t Go to our #bookexcursion group.  Pre-order now, for it will be released in October 2018.

 

Dude Word by Aaron Reynolds  Art by Dan Santat

Cowabunga! Two dudes (a platypus and a beaver) are totally stoked to surf but another not so righteous dude (a shark!) is getting in their way. Bummer! Can they find a way to all get along?

What is so rad about this picture book is Reynolds pretty much only uses one word, “Dude”, repeatedly in different contexts to tell the story, and Santat’s awesome illustrations support the meaning.  The use of punctuation also makes the story an epic read aloud!

Special thanks to Macmillan Kids for sending an advance reader’s copy of Dude to our #bookexcursion group.  Look for its tubular release soon in April 2018.

 

Bella’s and Etta’s Dog Read of the Week:

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

Don’t Call Me Choochie Pooh by Sean Taylor  Illustrated by Kate Hindley

I love reading books from the dog’s point of view!  A little dog is fed up with the silly way his owner treats him.  He does not appreciate heart-shaped mini puppy treats, being carried in a handbag and most especially, the name Choochie Pooh!  At the dog park, feeling like a Mini-Puppy-Treat-eating-Choochie-Pooh in a handbag, he is jealous of all the other dogs who have ordinary names like Bandit, Rusty, and Chief .  When Chief invites him to play, he is surprised and has a fabulous time doing normal dog things like running around and getting muddy.  When it is time to leave, his owner get again embarrasses him by uttering his disgustingly sweet name.  Choochie Pooh soon realizes that like him, his new canine friends have similar woes.

Reading this adorable picture book makes me wonder about all the pet names I have for both Etta and Bella.  Based on their tail wagging and howling, I think they realize that it is worth the love and of course treats!

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!  Have a great week! Happy Reading!