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.
Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz
Best friends since the second grade, Dani and Eric share memories of attending Red Sox games, going camping, and eating donuts. Dani is ecstatic to finally have been chosen to be a part of the Mapleville boy’s baseball team and comic book aficionado Eric is happy for her. On the last weekend before sixth grade, they go on their annual camping trip to Cape Cod, but an accident threatens not only Dani’s baseball playing but also their friendship.
Swartz is my go-to author for middle grade fiction. Her characters are authentic showing both their strengths and flaws. I love that Swartz chose to write Hidden Truths from both Dani’s and Eric’s points of view allowing readers to truly understand each of their perspectives. As I read each chapter, my heart hurt for both of them and I was hopeful that they could find a way to forgive and move forward. One of my favorite characters was Waylan, Dani’s physical therapist, who said it best. When life throws a curveball, you can choose pain or pivot. Good advice for us all!
Hidden Truths also reminds us that while childhood friendships are special, they are also tough to maintain as each individual gradually learns more about who they are. Not to give the story away; I love how Swartz weaved advocacy into the plot to show kids they can make a difference. Thanks to Wunderkind for sharing an ARC. Hidden Truths celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on October 31, 2023.
Geeger the Robot: Field Trip by Jarrett Lerner
In the sixth and final book in the series, Geeger gets to go on his first field trip to the Amblerville History Museum with his classmates. A bumpy bus ride makes it hard to have a conversation and to Geeger, it sounds like all the riders are hiccupping while talking. When Geeger pretends to hiccup even Mrs. Bork, the teacher, can’t stop from laughing. As Geeger tours the exhibits, he is fascinated especially when he discovers a compost pile which does a similar job to Geeger. When he stays too long at the display, Geeger finds himself alone. Fortunately, a museum employee saves the day by not only reuniting Geeger with his classmates but also showing him the best exhibit ever. Read to find out why!
As a teacher, I highly recommend Quix for young students just transitioning to chapter books or older kids who need additional supports. Like all the books in the series, Field Trip is written in a large font with short chapters. The whole story is 80 pages with appealing black and white illustrations to support comprehension. Other accessible features include a list of characters with their role as well as the use of bold font for characters’ names when first introduced in the text. Vocabulary words are also in bold and defined with pronunciation in a glossary. While it is preferable to read the books in order, Lerner includes a summary in the first chapter to support readers new to the series. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sharing a copy. Field Day published on September 5, 2023.
Brave Little Bear by Steve Small
Arlo is nervous about leaving the den. His mother reassures him calling him “my little brave bear.” Wishing it were true, Arlo follows his mother watching his sister Eva do everything first.
When the family climbs a snowy mountain, winds make it difficult to walk and see. Suddenly, Arlo realizes Eva is missing. When he hears a sound in the distance, Arlo realizes that he must go back and find Eva.
From the moment I saw Arlo with his blue tipped nose, I was smitten. I love how Small drew him for readers see his vulnerability in his expressions and movement. While Arlo didn’t think he was brave, Small shows his strong instinct for recognizing Eva wasn’t nearby.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sharing a copy. Brave Little Bear published on October 24, 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.
Remembering by Xelena González Illustrated by Adrianna M. Garcia
Losing a pet is one of the most difficult events in a person’s life. Remembering teaches a ritual celebration of Dia de Muertos where a young boy creates an ofrenda or altar by gathering things to honor the memory of his beloved dog Simon. While the boy is collecting mementos, he is reminiscing about his dog. I love how González chose to have the boy narrate the text which gives him the opportunity to speak directly to young readers. Garcia’s illustrations are full of happiness and sorrow as her artwork shows the past and the present. The picture frames especially tugged at my heart because the photographs spill out of the frame revealing that while Simon is longer in the house, his spirit will always be there. The final page spread with the completed ofrenda shows the immense love the family has for Simon. Any pet owner will agree.
Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!
“People love dogs. You can never go wrong adding a dog to the story.” Jim Butcher #IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.
Bella and I are “shrooming” with excitement to be part of the blog tour for Fungi Grow written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Diana Sudyka. This nonfiction picture book celebrated its book birthday on October 17, 2023. Thanks to author Maria Gianferrari and Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster for sharing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What do you call a book about mushrooms? A fun guide!
Picture books are impactful when the text and art seamless tell a story. In Fungi Grow, Gianferrari’s dynamic text and Sudyka’s energetic artwork make learning about fungi enjoyable and accessible.
On the first page spread, text is minimal allowing the illustration to explain the first stage of fungi. I love how kids can see the vast amount of spores released.
In the subsequent pages, kids learn the many ways fungi shoot spores. Gianferrari’s text remains concise giving Sudyka’s illustrations the spotlight. What I love most is the blending of text and art with words like puff, plop, poof, and pee-ew. Not only are kids exposed to alliteration, but also the meanings of the words are conveyed through the art.
The next stage of spores taking root is explained. Readers are introduced to tier 3 words such as hyphae and mycelium building their knowledge about the fungi life cycle. Throughout all stages, I love how Gianferrari shares information with two levels of text-the lyrical, concise narrative text as well as sidebars embedded in Sudkya’s illustrations providing more depth of facts in a paragraph.
As fungi grows into mature mushrooms, vivid verbs are once again incorporated in the artwork showing the variety that can be seen above ground.
After learning about the life cycle, readers discover how fungi are helpful and harmful. Having the ability to both hurt and heal makes mushrooms even more fascinating.
Whenever I read a text written by Gianferrari, I am always grateful because I am building content knowledge along with my students. Sudyka’s artwork supports readers to visualize and retain their new learning. For budding mycologists, back matter includes a glossary, more facts, a visual of the life cycle, additional books, blogs, and websites.
About the Author:
Maria Gianferrari’s yard is full of fungi. From branching corals and pointy stinkhorns to smoky puffballs and colorful jack-o’-lanterns, everything’s coming up mushrooms! Someday she hopes to find some morels—she’ll even share them with a squirrel. Maria’s favorite edible mushroom is the hearty portobello. She lives in Massachusetts.
About the Illustrator:
Diana Sudyka grew up hearing stories of her grandfather, an ardent forager, bringing home chicken of the woods and maitake mushrooms for meals. Her favorite edible mushroom is the delicious morel that popped up in her yard last spring. Diana lives with her family in Evanston, Illinois.
Enter Beagles & Books’ Giveaway!
Follow me @lauramossa on Twitter and retweet my Fungi Grow giveaway tweet.
Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the blog tour for Willow and Bunnypublished by Two Lions. Special thanks to the publisher and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review:
After Bunny hears a voice telling him to find a safe place to grow, he hops quite a distance until he sees Willow, a tree full of height and strength. Willow welcomes Bunny opening her branches to a grassy area which he now calls home. Schulte’s gentle text and Denise’s soft illustrations evoke a sense of warmth as Bunny and Willow become friends spending each day together.
But the calm fades when a storm rolls in. Loud thunder and strong winds startle Bunny who seeks refuge under Willow.
Sensing a greater need, Willow lifts her leaves higher inviting other forest animals to join Bunny. When the animals shares their fears, Bunny reassures them that Willow will protect them. And when the winds grow fierce and the storm surges Willow does just that. After the storm passed, Bunny is still afraid, but Willow’s tender branch embrace provide him comfort.
On the next morning, it is clear that Willow sacrificed herself for the safety of the animals and endured extensive damage. To repay her for her selflessness, the animals tend to Willow clearing underneath her and spreading her cuttings all over the area. As new trees gradually grow, Bunny remains loyal right by Willow’s side.
Willow and Bunny is a story that will both melt and tug at your heart. Schulte’s text is melodic and soulful as she tells a tale of true friendship. As a reading specialist, I appreciate how she carefully chose words to help children visualize and expand their vocabulary. Denise’s digital artwork immerses the reader in the forest making one feel part of the story. At times, the reader is up close right under Willow. Other times, the reader is watching from afar seeing the wind move Willow’s branches.
I love how Schulte’s repeats the following lines at the beginning and end of the story reminding us all of the gift of having one special with whom to share your life.
“Every day was theirs to share.
Just Bunny and Willow,
Willow and Bunny.”
Praise for Willow and Bunny!
“This tale provides a vehicle for conversations both about weather catastrophes and, more generally, about strong bonds that endure through change.” —Publishers Weekly
“The cozy, kindhearted story is beautifully told, mixing moments of sweet simplicity and light peril with a gentle hand. . . . A gratifying glimpse of generous friendship.” —Booklist
About the Author:
Anitra Rowe Schulte is the author of Dancing with Daddy, which won the Christopher Award and the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award. She has worked as a journalist for The Kansas City Star and the Sun-Times News Group, as a staff writer for Chicago Public Schools, and as a publicist. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their three daughters. Visit her at http://www.anitraroweschulte.com or @anitraschulte on Twitter.
About the Illustrator:
Christopher Denise wrote and illustrated Knight Owl, a 2023 Caldecott Honor winner and New York Times bestseller. He is also the illustrator of many critically acclaimed children’s books, including Anika Aldamuy Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. Christopher lives with his family in Rhode Island. Visit him at http://www.christopherdenise.com and @christopherdenise on Instagram.
Beagles & Books 