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.
Greenlight by Breanna Carzoo
Poor Greenlight is having an identity crisis. She used to think highly of herself, but the fact that cars leave when she shines her light is causing insecurity. She can’t find solace in either Redlight or Yellowlight for cars stop or at least slow down. Greenlight begins to question her worth to society which leads her to close her eyes and cease shining. Will Greenlight realize her value? Ready…set…yes!
Like Carzoo’s fire hydrant Lou (who has a cameo in the story), kids and adults will fall in love with googly eyed Greenlight. The author-illustrator has such a gift for creating charming characters that teach us to believe in ourselves. I love how Carzoo chose to have Greenlight solve her dilemma with positive self-talk. She takes her time allowing her to recognize her strengths and shines when she is ready. The concise text complements the colorful cut paper collage artwork. I am amazed how Carzoo can show Greenlight’s range of emotions with various eye and mouth shapes. Eagerly awaiting The Squish, a third picture book featuring a sweet sandcastle. Thanks to the author for sharing an eARC. Greenlight will celebrate its book birthday next week on July 17, 2023.
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally Pla
Autistic 13 year old Maudie can’t wait to spend summer with her dad at their mountain cabin in Molinas, California. But wildfires thwart their usual plans forcing them to relocate to her dad’s childhood beach town of Conwy near the Mexican border. Narrated in both prose and verse by Maudie, readers quickly learn that she is harboring a secret from her dad about life in Houston with her mom and her stepfather. Living at the campgrounds run by her dad’s high school buddy, Maudie flourishes in spite of all the change. She learns to surf and makes friends building confidence in herself. As Maudie recalled past events, my heart hurt for her but my heart began to heal as she came into her own living with her supportive dad. When her mom and stepfather come to bring her back to Texas, can Maudie show her new found strength to stand up for herself?
Pla perfectly captures Maudie’s kindness, conflicts, and courage. I love that she chose to include poems which allows readers to truly get to know Maudie’s feelings and thoughts. I also appreciate that Pla doesn’t shy away from tackling tough issues yet writes in a way that is accessible for middle grade readers. Another bonus is short chapters which make the text easier to read. While Maudie learned so much over the summer, I believe two important life lessons are to let out sadness rather than swallowing it and only you get to decide your version of you. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy. The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on July 11, 2023.
Told from the point of view of Rivka, this historical fiction picture book gives kids a perspective of what life was like for immigrant children during the flu pandemic of 1918. Rivka is eager for her first day of school, but with her father sick, her mother has to work; therefore, Rivka must watch her little sister Miriam. Although Rivka can’t attend school, that doesn’t mean she can’t learn. Full of initiative and resourcefulness and with Miriam in tow, Rivka offers to clean for the grocer in exchange for reading and writing lessons. Then she makes deliveries for the tailor and in turn, he teaches Rivka math. When her mother sends her to clean for her neighbor, Rivka learns American history helping Mrs. Langholtz study for her citizenship test.
While Rivka’s father does recuperate, Wallmark’s lyrical text and Lirius’ gorgeous artwork show the passage of time for him to fully heal. I love that the title not only refers to the physical presents Rivka receives from her “teachers” but also the intangible gifts of her father’s recovery and her return to school. Back matter includes an author’s note about life on the Lower East Side in New York City in 1918 and a glossary defining English and Yiddish words. Rivka’s Presents is a story full of heart and history. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy. Rivka’s Presents celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on July 11, 2023.
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.
A happy, brown dog named Simon, finds a bone near a pond. His eyes move quickly to the water where he sees a dog with a better bone. Simon has manners so he first asks to trade. When he receives no response, it is clear the other dog does not share this trait. Determined, Simon suggests a staring contest in which the other dog was able to match every move. No matter what Simon does, the other dog copies perfectly. Angered, Simon lets out a growl and leaps into the pond. As a result, he and the other dog coincidentally both lose their bones. Fortunately, Simon spies a better better bone in the dirt. What will Simon do now? The most selfless act possible.
I adore this sweet retelling of Aesop’s fable, The Dog and His Reflection. While the moral in the original is it is very foolish to be greedy, author-illustrator Tabor redeems the dog by having him drop the bone in the pond to share. The new moral-a friend is more valuable than a bone. With soft, warm illustrations, I love that Tabor chose to present the story vertically to emphasize the dog’s reflection in the pond.
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 
Each one is new to me, and each will go on my list, Laura. What an interesting plotline for Rivka’s Presents – learning can happen anywhere! Have a great week ahead!
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Rivka’s Presents sounds great. It’s a good one to add to a list or collection of historical fiction picture books. When teachers ask, I have an easier time thinking of historical fiction middle grade novels than picture books.
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This is a delightful set of books, Laura! Greenlight looks so fun, and I love how it incorporates the idea of positive self-talk (definitely a concept worth learning early!). I’ve heard great things about The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn. I added Rivka’s Presents to my TBR list (the cover is lovely), and Simon and the Better Bone sounds like a story kids will absolutely love! Thanks so much for the thoughtful reviews, and enjoy your week!
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Some fun titles. I’m curious about Project Greenlight!
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These books look like fun. I just ordered Simon and the Better Bone for my school’s library a few days ago. It was nice to see it here.
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