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.
Honored to be returning as Cybils Award Round 2 Judge. This year I am on the Fiction Picture Book and Board Book panel. Winners will be announced on February 14, 2025.
Snow Is... by Laura Gehl Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez
It doesn’t matter how old you are. The first snowfall of the year is magical. Author Gehl’s lyrical text wondrously captures how a young boy and his family (which includes his dog yay!) appreciate this gift of nature from watching the flakes fall in the morning, frolicking in the frosty paradise during the day, and snuggling together at night. Repetition of the words, “Snow is” as well as rhyme allow kids to participate in the read aloud. The picture book is a perfect mentor text for kids to write their own thoughts about what snow is to them. I also love that Gehl carefully choose words such as huddled, trudge, and hoard exposing kids to rich vocabulary. Illustrator Sanchez’s artwork is energetic showing both the family’s activity and their emotions.
Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy.
Stopping By Jungle on a Snowy Evening by Richard T. Morris Illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch
Author Morris takes the classic Robert Frost poem Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening to a whole new level. Instead of a horse, a boy is riding a jingle collared blue hippopotamus. Frost corrects the boy who gets schooled on the original poem. The boy takes it in stride suggesting changing a few words; however, Frost protests because the boy’s ideas do not fit the setting or rhyme. When Frost continues reciting his original poem, the boy and the hippopotamus both agree the lyrics are a snoozer. What about snake attacks, karate moves or a mega-battle? The action-packed ending will appeal to kids and adults will be in awe of how Morris seamlessly wove another of Frost’s iconic poems in his side-splitting story. Illustrator Rowan-Zach’s artwork literally jumps off the page with rich details, expressive characters, and comical commotion.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for sharing a copy.
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Artic by Candace Fleming Illustrated by Deena So’oteh
You are a narwhal-shy, swift, small (for a whale) begins and ends this gorgeous nonfiction picture book which chronicles a year in the life of a male narwhal. Fleming’s lyrical text and So’oteh’s stunning artwork perfectly complement one another. Within her poetic text, Fleming shares facts about the narwhal such as when their tusk begins and ends growing, how they can’t live without leads (cracks of open water), their predators, their migrating journey, and how they collaborate as a pod. A wonderful surprise was a breathtaking two spread fold out flap illustrating a pod diving deep in the ocean for their dinner. No doubt kids will be mesmerized by the words and illustrations pouring over Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea for hours.
Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy.
Fans of Killen’s My Little Animal Friend series will love The Little Puppy! Dressed in a puppy costume (matching Milo’s coat), Ollie is ecstatic to have Milo, her grandma’s new puppy, over for a playdate. The day is going great until Ollie leaves the room and Milo chews up her drawing for grandma. Ollie can’t contain her sadness leaving the house for a solitary walk. Kids will notice how Milo is following her at a distance. As Ollie walks into the woods, she has time to reflect and think. Since Milo is a puppy, she realizes that she shouldn’t have left her picture on the floor. Sitting on a stump, she is contrite and lonely. Kids can search the illustrations for Milo who comes to her rescue dropping a stick in front of her. For the rest of the day, the pair play and when they return home, Ollie draws a picture for grandma and Milo. Author/illustrator Killen’s heartwarming text and charming artwork wraps up the reader in a warm hug. What I love most about the story is Ollie subtly teaches kids self-regulation skills.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sharing a copy.
#IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.
Beagles & Books 