It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 9/28/20

Bella and I are excited to share our latest reads in 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.link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Our Recent Reads

The Candy Mafia by Lavie Tidhar Illustrated by Daniel Duncan

Comical and intriguing,  Candy Mafia is a middle grade mystery that will keeps kids engaged and guessing.  What makes the novel stand out is it written and illustrated in the style of classic film noir mysteries.  The main character, Nelle, is the quintessential private eye. She is observant, persistent, and calls things as she sees them which is why I love her narration. Supporting characters especially the lively kid candy bootleggers keep the plot going with their quick-witted dialogue and their rivalry.  The melancholy black and white illustrations definitely set the mood of the story, for a world without candy is pretty bleak.  The artwork also supports the readers especially those transitioning to novels.  To read my full review, click here.

Marjorie Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Sandra Neil Wallace Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

After reading this picture book biography, I was astounded that I had never heard of Marjory Stoneman Douglas before.  Marjory Saves the Everglades is an inspirational story reminding us all that we have the power to make a difference. Her curiosity and willingness to ask questions and seek information was vital to her success.  Persistence was also important because one of Marjory’s quotes was  “Be a nuisance. Never give up.”  As I read this biography, I especially enjoyed the actual quotes from Marjory that were shared every few pages.  These quotes conveyed her determination and passion for her cause. To read my full review and enter a giveaway, click here. 

Bella’s Dog Pick 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.

Picture Book by Dog by Michael Relth

Picture Book by Dog is a love letter from a dog to his adopter.  As the story begins, the dog recounts his time before he was adopted.  He was hungry, wet, and lonely.  But one day while at the shelter, is rescued by a young girl.  He explains that she is patient teaching him what to chew and where to poo. The dog relishes his time with his girl snuggling, playing, and exploring.  And even though as the girl grows big, the dog will grow old, he will remain a happy dog because he knows he hit the jackpot becoming part of a family!

With a concise, rhyming text and childlike, crayon illustrations, Micheal Relth’s debut picture book gives me all the feels.  First, I love the fact that the story highlights pet adoption, which is dear to my heart.  I also love that the dog narrates and shares his story from streets to shelter to forever home.  In addition, I love that the little girl was supportive teaching him good behaviors from bad. Following the story, the end pages have a special bonus asking readers to find all the tennis balls Dog has drawn as well as the number of squirrels. Thanks to Michael Relth and Katie Boni of Little, Brown, and Company for sending a copy to review.  Picture Book by Dog will celebrate its book birthday tomorrow on September 29, 2020. 

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!