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.
Happy Summer! This school year has been one of my most challenging ever, so I am especially grateful for time to relax, renew, and read and of course, spend time with my book beagle Bella!
Our Recent Reads:
The Pet Potato by Josh Lacey Illustrated by Momoko Abe
Young Albert desperately wants a pet, but his parents dismiss any type he mentions. When his father jokingly gives him a potato as a pet, Albert is not pleased. He puts it on the table not paying it any attention until he looks up and sees it frowning. Is that even possible? Albert began including the potato in his daily activities such as playing at home, going to the library, and sleeping on his pillow. Kids will quickly recognize that the potato is smiling whenever he is with Albert. One morning, his potato is missing and Albert is distraught. Adults can probably guess the inevitable demise of the potato and while Albert is heartbroken, he and his dad give his potato a proper burial in the backyard. Not only do Albert’s parents learn he is responsible enough to take care of a pet, but also Albert learns a valuable lesson in gardening.
What a fun and unique pet story! Abe’s playful and nostalgic artwork perfectly compliments Lacey’s unconventional plot. What I love most is the story evokes a lot of emotions. It’s humorous yet heartfelt. Thanks to Roaring Books Press/Macmillan Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. The Pet Potato celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on June 21, 2022.
Pigeon & Cat by Edward Hemingway
Cat lives in a cardboard box in an vacant city lot. When Cat finds an egg on the ground, he takes super good care of it until hatches. Once Pigeon enters Cat’s life, his world is now forever changed. I love how Hemingway chose to have Pigeon communicate in emojis so kids can decipher what she is thinking. Once Pigeon perfects flying, she is eager to explore the city. A nervous Cat is relieved when Pigeon returns with a piece of red chalk, her first of many gifts. Inspired by Pigeon’s generosity, Cat’s creative juices start flowing bringing color to the once drab lot. One afternoon, Pigeon doesn’t return to the lot so Cat bravely leaves the lot to find his best friend. He searches high and low leaving chalk messages all over the city. Soon the city doesn’t feel scary anymore and Cat willingly befriends other strays in hopes of locating Pigeon. The two finally reunite in the now vibrant and bustling lot which Pigeon has opened to all the strays. With themes of friendship, compassion, courage, creativity, and community, Pigeon & Cat is a must read picture book. To read my full review and see what kindergarteners think, click here.
Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media and Little Brown and Company for sharing a copy. Pigeon & Cat celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on June 21, 2022.
Sylvie by Jean Reidy illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Reidy’s and Cummins’ Truman is a heartprint story to me. I read it to my #classroombookaday class at the beginning of each new school year. When I discovered they were collaborating on a new story, I was bursting with excitement!
Sylvie, a spider, prefers to remain hidden living underneath the fire escape. You see if spiders draw attention to themselves, disastrous consequences could occur. Day and night, Sylvie enjoys going up and down the fire escape to check on all her people who live in the building including a girl and her tortoise. But when she notices her people not engaged in their hobbies, Sylvie is worried. How can she help them out of their rut? Inspired by the sun, Sylvie allows herself to be visible weaving webs on windows leading her people to the roof of the building. The result is inspirational and heartwarming.
Since Charlotte, I don’t think there has been a spider who has touched me like Sylvie. She is a true friend to her people and while she was scared to be exposed, Sylvie knew she must step into the spotlight to help them. Reidy’s text is such a joy to read. Your heart fills up with every page. She uses a lot of fun alliteration like “the same sun that seldom saw” and “basking in that beautiful beam.” With a pastel color palette, Cummins’ beautiful artwork is warm and inviting. And with her many facial expression, Cummins brings that sweet, small, savvy spider to life. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sending me a copy. Sylvie recently published on May 10, 2022.
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 character.
Adventure Awaits by Henry Cole
A dog and a cat wake up for a day of adventure. They both leave their house separately to explore and investigate the backyard. The dog follows a squirrel and the cat chases a pair of blue jays. They both stop at a tree where an owl’s yellow eyes peek out of the trunk. Their inquisitiveness turns to fear and the pair run back to their shared home. Now safe, they snuggle together on a pet bed. But as the title says, adventure awaits for a raccoon appears at the door.
Using only word narration on most pages, Cole allows young children to interpret the illustrations. I love his use of alliteration which makes the story fun to read. Cole’s text exposes young kids to robust vocabulary such as inspect. stalk, dart, nuzzle, and slumber which will promote great discussion. His warm illustrations convey the changing mood of the story from calm to lively. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sending me a copy. Adventure Awaits recently published on May 10, 2022.
Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!
Jim Butcher
#IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.
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