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.
It’s all about the book birthdays this week! All the titles reviewed release tomorrow on June 20, 2023.
Marker by Anna Kang Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Kang’s and Weyant’s Marker is a sweet and humorous story that has earned a permanent place on my read aloud book shelf. Full of puns that bring on the laughter, Kang’s text also teaches kids that errors are ok. Weyant’s anthropomorphic school supplies are both adorable and expressive. I love the way how the supplies work together to remind Marker not only her vital role as a member of their team but also the importance of trying something new.
As I was reading Marker, I kept thinking about what my good friend who is an art teacher always says to kids “If you mess it up, dress it up.” Mistakes do make us great because it allows us to see something with a different perspective. Like its companion picture book Eraser, Marker teaches children a valuable life lesson. Thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy, To read my full review, click here.
A Very Dinosaur Birthday by Adam Wallace Illustrated by Christopher Nielson
From the author of the How to Catch series is a laugh out loud story that chronicles what happen when dinosaurs come to a birthday party. At first, it doesn’t appear that these prehistoric creatures are good guests. They give smelly, old gifts, empty a pool of water when they jump in, have an enormous appetite, and may break all your gifts. On second thought, their stomachs can serve as a tremendous trampoline and if you ride a Velociraptor, you’ll never get caught in tag. Now that’s a party to remember!
Wallace’s peppy, rhyming text and Neilsen’s bright and lively artwork will definitely appeal to young children. I love how kids can learn about the various kinds of dinosaurs from the end pages which include illustrations accompanied by their names. In addition, kids get tips for making invitations, decorations, and food as well as games to play when hosting their own dinosaur party. Thanks to Lydia Rasmussen of Smith Publicity for sharing an ARC.
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.
Boop! by Bea Birdsong Illustrated by Linzie Hunter
Who wouldn’t accept an invitation to safely boop lots of dog snoots? Author Birdsong directly speaks to readers defining a boop as a pat or gentle tap. She tells them to get their finger ready and after turning the page, they get to boop a snoot. More snoots appear to boop. Hunter’s bold, adorable illustrations include dogs of all sizes and breeds. I love that one page spread is vertical with 15 dogs to boop! Readers are celebrated for booping every snoot except one snoot is still left to boop and it belongs to the one holding the book.
Boop is an absolutely joy to read aloud. Because Birdsong made the text highly interactive, kids will beg for re-reads until they can read it on their own. I appreciate that Birdsong prefaced the story with a note reminding readers aka boopers to always ask for permission before touching a real dog. As a result, Boop is both playful and educational. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy.
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.
Beagles & Books 
Oh, my, you’re right, Laura, each one looks like lots of fun! I imagine the falling out of chairs with the dinos & wanting to give lots of ‘boops’, plus learning that mistakes are okay! Thanks!
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Give Bella extra rubbums for posing so nicely. While Pongo is a big help, he somehow knows when a camera is pointed at him (he’s mostly blind) and hides his face! Boop looks like one that he and I need to read!
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These are delightful stories, Laura! Boop looks totally adorable (and I don’t think I’m the only one here thinking that), and I love the disclaimer at its start too. Marker and A Very Dinosaur Birthday sound excellent as well! Thanks so much for sharing these great picks!
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What a delightful collection of picture books. I wish A Very Dinosaur Birthday had been available earlier this year. It would have made a great gift for my three year old dinosaur crazed granddaughter. The other one turns three in September and she too loves dinosaurs, so I guess I can get it for her. Thanks so much for the heads up!
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