Picture Books – Page 31 – Beagles & Books

Beagles and Books is excited to share another edition of 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.

Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno

Ever since her father’s death six years ago, Cora and her family have struggled to find stability especially with housing. Money is tight so Cora, her mother, and her younger sister Adare move a lot with hopes of finding permanent housing they can afford. Because of her mom’s long work hours, taking care of Adare after school has become Cora’s responsibility. Adare who lost oxygen to the brain during birth “sees things a different way” which makes caring for her sometimes challenging.

Set in Brooklyn and told in Cora’s point of view, Just Under the Clouds is a honest and touching story about homelessness through the eyes of a twelve year old girl. While she technically has had a “roof over her head,” Cora never lived in a place that felt like home.

At school, Cora has always kept to herself until she meet Sabina, who until recently had been home-schooled her whole life and lives an untethered life on a houseboat. I just love their friendship because Cora finally takes a chance to truly trust someone outside her family. I also admire Cora’s mother for maintaining stability in their unstable world and for recognizing Cora’s strength and encouraging her to “climb high.” Cora’s story reminds us that “you can only grow things if you have faith in them from the beginning.” This is a heart print book that I can’t wait to share with students.

A very special thanks to Melissa Sarno for sending an ARC of Just Under the Clouds to my #bookexcursion group. It publishes on June 5, 2018.

Power Forward by Hena Khan Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Date/Time: May 5, 2018 11:25 a.m.

What I Read: Power Forward is the first book in a new chapter book series about fourth-grader Zayd Saleem. Zayd lives for basketball, not the violin. He is determined to move up from the D league to the gold team playing along side his best friend Adam. Zayd knows that practicing basketball is crucial to achieving his dream; therefore, he decides to skip his morning advanced orchestra practice to play basketball with Adam and other members of the gold team. All is well until Zayd forgets his violin in the car, and his mother discovers his lie. As a result, he is grounded from basketball. Will Zayd be able to convince his parents how important basketball is to him in order to make try outs?

How I Feel: Sports have never been my thing but Power Forward is so much more than a basketball story. Zayd is such a relatable character and can be a mirror for young readers. He is underweight for his age which makes him work harder to prove he is gold team material. Things come more easily to his sister Zara, which is frustrating for him. His parents wish that he had the same passion for violin that he has for basketball. What I truly love about Zayd’s story is that it can also be a window. Zayd and his family are Pakistani American and throughout the book, their culture is seamlessly interwoven into the story from language to food to sports. As a reading specialist, I am always on the lookout for new #ownvoices titles to share with students as well as share with my media specialist to order for our school library.

Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster for sending an ARC of Power Forward to our #bookexcursion group. It publishes on May 8, 2018. For more information about ZaydSalem, Chasing the Dream series, click here.

Daring Dreamers Club: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

Milla Takes Charge is the first book in this new chapter series about 5 fifth grade girls who become friends in their advisory group led by Ms. Bancroft, the new music teacher. As part of advisory, all students will respond to writing prompts throughout the year. Having a thing for princesses, Ms. Bancroft asks the girls to reflect upon a princess that they feel connected with or inspired by and explain why. While all girls share their journal entries filled with their dreams, the story centers on Milla. Raised by her two moms, Milla is an avid reader and writer. Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, she yearns for adventure especially participating in the fifth grade overnight to Adventure Camp. Concerned that her overprotective parents won’t let her go, Milla enlists the help of the Daring Dreamers to prove she is responsible.

Daring Dreamers Club is another great #ownvoices series to add to a classroom library and like Power Forward, the characters can be either a mirror or window to young readers. What I especially love about this series is how the girls demonstrate true friendship towards one another. Although each girl has big dreams, they realize they can all achieve their personal dreams by supporting each other!

A special thanks to Erin Soderberg for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Milla Takes Charge publishes on June 5, 2018. For more information on the Daring Dreamers series, click here.

Etta’s and 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 main character.

Perfectly Norman by Tom Perchival

Disclaimer: While having no speaking part, Norman’s dog is his loyal companion supporting him without hesitation. Sidekicks are the best!

Norman lived a perfectly normal life until….he grew a pair of wings. Instead of celebrating his extraordinary wings, Norman hid them inside a great, big, yellow coat. The problem is now Norman is hot, uncomfortable, and miserable. Will Norman ever learn to just be himself?

Perfectly Norman is a heartwarming story about acceptance and learning to be comfortable in your own skin, I mean wings. Rather than celebrating his wonderful gift, Norman becomes worried about being different. Throughout his struggle, his sweet little dog remains his loyal companion.

The illustrations are integral to the story, for author illustrator Perchival uses a minimal palette of black, white, yellow, and red in the first few page spreads. As soon as Norman discovers his wings, more vibrant colors appear in the illustrations. Once Norman hides his wings, his yellow coat is the only color prominent on each page. Readers have to patiently wait for Norman to realize that the coat, not his wings is making him miserable. Then all the colors of the rainbow of return!

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books! Have a great week! Happy Reading!

#Bookexcursion, Debut Author, Picture Books

Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime by Cate Berry Illustrated by Charles Santoso

May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 lauramossa

Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime by Cate Berry Illustrated by Charles Santoso

On the very first page, pajama clad Penguin announces “This is not a bedtime book” with night cap wearing Tiny Shrimp chiming in saying “We don’t do bedtime!” The adorable characters make it clear that there is no room for typical bedtime rituals such as toothbrushing, big beds or counting sheep. On the contrary, readers will be enticed to stay wide awake with fireworks, vine swinging, hot air balloon rides, songs, jokes and even the rare appearance of a Uni-Hippo! After Penguin and Tiny Shrimp engage in all their adventures, they maintain their anti-sleep position stating “This book will never make you yawn” but their actions begin to contradict their original declaration. It is not long before the two characters are crawling into bed and sleep soundly. Clearly, storytelling is tiring work!

Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime is a hilarious and highly entertaining picture book from debut author Cate Berry. Not only did I pre-order this book immediately, I now have the perfect recommendation for a bedtime read aloud (sorry Penguin and Tiny Shrimp!) that parents will take great pleasure in reading again and again to their children. Santoso’s pictures adorably depict Penguin and Tiny Shrimp’s insistence and excitement in staying awake yet by the end of the book, his illustrations subtly and sweetly transition to show their fading energy. Even the background color of the pages becomes gray to signify the change.

Special thanks to Cate Berry for sending an ARC of Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime to our #bookexcursion group. Can’t wait for its release May 2018. I sincerely hope there will be more Penguin and Tiny Shrimp adventures to come!

#Bookexcursion, Picture Books

Mama’s Belly by Kate Hosford Illustrated by Abigail Halpin

April 11, 2018 lauramossa

A very special thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing Mama’s Belly with Beagles and Books. All opinions are my own.

There is no doubt that a new sibling can cause feelings of both excitement and apprehension. Mama’s Belly tells the tender story of an inquisitive young girl who poses a variety of questions to her parents about her sister’s arrival. The questions start simple. “Does my sister know me already? “Will my sister have freckles?” Mama explains that the baby already knows her sister’s voice. While the baby will not be born with freckles, her father thinks yes, perhaps after a few summers by the lake have passed.

As the young girl asks questions, Halpin’s gorgeous illustrations not only depict her excitement in the present but also the girl’s visualizations of helping her baby sister learn to swim and take a bath in the future. All of Halpin’s paintings warmly show how the girl’s parents have included her in preparing for her sister’s arrival.

Clutching her blanket, the questions turn more personal. “When my sister comes, do I have to share my blanket?” ‘Will your lap ever come back?” Mama assures the girl that her blanket will always be hers and suggests making another one together for her baby sister. As for her lap, Mama tells her daughter it will return after her sister is born.

The young girl saves her most important question until the end. “When my sister comes will you still have enough love for both of us? Gently holding her daughter’s face in her hands, Mama lovingly looks at her and says “More than the all the stars in the sky.”

For any child preparing for a new sibling, Mama’s Belly is the perfect gift. As a teacher, I also look forward to sharing Mama’s Belly with students. Hosford has written a beautiful and touching story to remind us that a parent’s heart expands with each child, and there is always room to love everyone.

Mama’s Belly will be released on April 17, 2018. For a sneak peek, view the trailer.

About the Author and Illustrator

Kate Hosford is the author of several picture books, including Infinity and Me, which was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book award and was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. Her books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, French, and Romanian. Kate lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. To learn more, visit her website ae khosford.com.

Abigail Halpin is the illustrator of many books for children, including Finding Wild. She lives in southern Maine. Visit her on the web at theodesign.com

#Bookexcursion, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Picture Books

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/5/18

March 5, 2018 lauramossa

img_2115-1

Etta, Bella, and I are excited to share our reads for another edition of 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.

Our Reads This Week:

24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling

Thirteen year old Gus lives in Nowhere, Arizona, the least livable town in the United States. No one has it easy in Nowhere including Gus, Living with his grandma, money is tight and because of his small size, Gus is frequently bullied by Bo Taylor. Obsessed with words, Gus feels his only hope out of Nowhere is a high score on the SAT.

At the start of the novel, Gus is indebted to Rossi Scott who saves him from Bo’s torment in exchange for her treasured dirt bike. Feeling responsible, Gus agrees to enter Dead Frenchman’s Mine in search for gold to buy the bike back. While Gus first embarks on his journey alone, he is soon joined by Matthew, one of Bo’s sidekicks, an old friend, Jessie and Rossi herself.

In Dead Frenchman’s Mine, the reader discovers that Gus is not only searching for gold, but also for himself. During their journey, Rossi challenges Gus to think about his identity. Is he going to let his past define who he is or will he take charge and be defined by what he does in life? Like Aven in Bowling’s debut novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Rossi is an exceptional role model for kids. She does not dwell on the past and realizes that she alone has the power to save herself. She also recognizes strength in others like Gus which is a remarkable trait for a young person. 24 Hours in Nowhere is a book that could be a mirror, window or door for readers of all ages. Gus, Rossi, Jessie, and Matthew’s experiences gave me such perspective about how life can be for some of my students, which will make me a better teacher and individual.

Special thanks to Dusti Bowling for sending an ARC of 24 Hours in Nowhere to my #bookexcursion group. It will be released in September 2018.

Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime by Cate Berry Illustrated by Charles Santoso

A very special thanks to Cate Berry for sending an ARC of Penguin & Tiny Shrimp Don’t Do Bedtime to our #bookexcursion group. Can’t wait for its release May 2018.

When Your…Series by Susanna Leonard Hill Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

What do you do when your elephant has the sniffles, your llama needs a haircut and your lion need a bath? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s When Your..series! For full review, click here.

Featured Dog Selection of the Week

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

Shark Dog! by Ged Adamson

A young girl joins her famous explorer dad on one of his trips. Sailing home, she hears a noise and then something slobbery wakes her up from her sleep. It’s a shark. No. It’s a dog. No. It’s Shark Dog! With her father’s permission, the girl takes Shark Dog home. He is quite an unusual pet stalking a cat like a shark and fetching slippers like a dog when underwater. On a trip to Shark Dog’s favorite place, the beach, he spys what he thinks is another shark dog but it is just a beach toy. This makes Shark Dog very sad.

Thinking he is homesick, the girl and her dad decide to take Shark Dog back to his home where he is greeted enthusiastically by his fellow shark dogs. Will this make Shark Dog happy? Read this heartwarming story about to find out! Shark Dog is adorably drawn with both dog and shark like features. Young readers will be captivated by the colorful and detailed illustrations. I especially loved the spread when the characters are traveling on plane to Shark Dog Island.

Etta, Bella, and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books! Have a great week! Happy Reading!

happiness-is-a-warm-puppy-and-a-good-book

#Bookexcursion, Picture Books

When Your… Series by Susanna Leonard Hill Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

March 5, 2018 lauramossa

What do you do when your elephant has the sniffles, your llama needs a haircut and your lion need a bath? Check out When Your… series! My #bookexcursion group was sent copies of the series in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles

Your poor elephant has the sniffles. Taking care of him is a priority because when an elephant sneezes, it is serious business! After putting him to bed, hide anything that can induce sneezing and give him things that provides comfort. He will get bored so plan fun things such as shadow puppets to keep him occupied. But when you entertain him, be careful of your props. Because if your elephant sneezes, you may end up with the sniffles too!

When Your Llama Needs a Haircut

It’s Picture Day! Your llama thinks his hair looks just fine, but you know it’s a mess. So how can you convince him to get a haircut? First, you have to catch him. After washing and brushing, try out some different styles but simple is probably best. But beware because you may end up with a haircut too!

When Your Lion Needs a Bath

Uh oh! Your smelly lion needs a bath but cats don’t like water. How can you get him in the tub? Sneakiness, preparation, and a bag of tricks are the keys to success. But once you are successful in your task, be sure to close the front door!

While the suggested range is ages 3-5, Leonard Hill’s When Your… entertaining and amusing series would appeal to primary grade students. Here’s hoping an option to buy standard copies of the series will occur in the future. All the board books read like picture books exposing students to tier 2 words (distract, stubborn, and tempt) that enrich children’s oral vocabulary. Wiseman’s colorful and cartoonish illustrations will delight children especially the animals’ antics and facial expressions. Reminiscent of Laura Numeroff’s If You Give series, children would giggle all their way through listening or reading.

If you like the When Your… series, a fourth book, When Your Monkeys Won’t Go to Bed will be published in August 2018.

#pb10for10, Picture Books

AROO for #pb10for10 Day!

August 7, 2017August 10, 2018 lauramossa

pb 10 for 10 015 I cannot think of a better first blog post! I’m excited to be participating in Picture Book 10 for 10 for the first time. Thank you Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek for creating this fabulous event for us to share our #booklove! This summer, I have been reading lots of picture books joining many other educators in #bookaday. Since the name of my blog is Beagles and Books, it is only fitting that my chosen books feature dogs and well, 1 wolf. But it’s ok. Dogs and wolves are related right?

Come with Me by Holly M. McGhee Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre

Come with Me is an amazing story of hope. When a young girl expresses concern about the world in which she lives, she is answered with a simple “Come with me.” from her parents. Throughout the book, she is shown how to spread kindness and does her part by merely taking her dog on a walk. This book will be released September 5, 2017 so pre-order it now for the start of the school year.

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Mrs. Poodle and Mrs. Bulldog think there may be a mix up with their pups. But sometimes just because it LOOKS right doesn’t mean it FEELS right. Gaston’s message is simple. Just be yourself.

Stay by Kate Klise Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

Stay is a heartwarming story of a girl, Astrid and her dog, Eli. As Astrid notices Eli getting older, she creates a bucket list of things for them to do together. The beauty of the book is that Eli only has 1 thing on his bucket list. Can you guess what it is?

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

Uh oh! The girl’s dog disappears during a walk. Children will love how the author engages them in helping the girl find her dog. In addition, children are exposed to rich vocabulary to expand their oral language.

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills

I love all the Rocket series books! This book is great for encouraging reluctant readers. Rocket was not interested in learning to read until the yellow bird began reading aloud a story that caught his attention. It’s true that readers grow through finding the right books!

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr

Ok. It’s not exactly a dog book, but love how the dog reacts in this wonderfully illustrated book about the upside to making mistakes. Great book to read aloud to remind children that we all learn from those “uh-oh” moments.

Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey

A list of dog picture books would not be complete without this classic. Children love the amusing plot and awesome illustrations. This story also teaches children the lesson that sometimes a weakness can also be a strength!

Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari Illustrated by Patrice Barton

A beautiful story about the relationship between Zara and her dog Moose who hates saying goodbye while she is at school. This warmly illustrated book teaches students the “pawsitive” effect of therapy dogs. In her author’s note, Maria includes information about therapy reading dog programs.

Found Dogs by Erica Sirotich

This book holds a special place in my heart because it highlights rescue dogs who all are in need of a home. It is a read aloud for our youngest students learning how to count. The adorably illustrated dogs will also captivate students!

image1 (15)

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

I am making an exception for Wolfie, since dogs are part of the wolf family, right? Dot the Bunny is NOT happy when her parents adopt a baby wolf. Why? Because wolves eat bunnies! I simply love the message of this fabulously illustrated book-Don’t judge others too quickly!

Thanks for reading my #pb10for10! If you have favorite dog books to add, please comment below!

Category: Picture Books

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 5/7/18