It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 5-20-13
Visit Teach Mentor Texts to find a list of other blogs participating in this fun weekly post! Thanks Jen & Kelle for encouraging the sharing of books!
Books I Read This Week:
Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
HarperCollins, 2013
32 pages
Is this the same author that brought us:
and
and
Yes, it is! Displaying his true range in style, Gaiman brings readers a short and semi-sweet tale about a little panda named Chu. While the short story might be a hot ticket for small ones at bedtime, it wasn't a huge hit with my students. I think it's the illustrations that will win readers over here.
Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, illustrated by Robbin Gourley
Clarion Books, 2013
Poetry
32 Pages
Recommended for grades 2-4
If you've ever spent a day in or near a forest you will feel the authenticity of the poems in this collection. With the opening poem "Invitation" we are beckoned into the forest. Once inside the forest we experience the change of seasons, the wildlife within the forest walls, and the simple things one finds to do within.
The soft watercolor illustrations perfectly compliment the feel of the poems.
I'll be adding this to my poetry collection!
I'm Currently Reading
I'm Currently Listening to:
On Deck:
Thanks for stopping by! What have you enjoyed lately?
My favourite Neil Gaiman picture book is The Day I swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish! Have you read that? I think your fourth graders would find it hilarious! I should look for this poetry book. Love the cover and that it is all about forests!
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish! I will look it up and reserve it from the library though. When I think Gaiman I think darkness and ghoulishness, which I love, but it shows what I know! The forest one is sweet. I also love Nest, Nook & Cranny for a nature poetry book.
ReplyDeleteGoldfish is somewhat dark certainly but odd and amusing because it really is a story where a Dad gets traded for various things. It's a longer read. I used to take it out from the library often to share with my own children. Now I think I should get my own copy.
DeleteI have had The Graveyard Book for such a long time and still have not read it. I must move it up my TBR pile. I love Forest Has a Song and my fourth graders have enjoyed it too. I also have Platypus Police Squad on my radar as well as Hattie. The other titles are new to me. I've got more books to check out. :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked The Graveyard Book, though it has been a while since I read it, so I might instead say that I really like my memories of The Graveyard Book! And I hear you about the growing TBR pile, I keep a little notebook going so I don't forget what I want to check out next!
DeleteNeil Gaiman is a man of many hats! I didn't even realize he had any younger books.
ReplyDeleteMy son can't wait for Platypus Police Squad!
Hooray, I'm not the only one that thinks of Gaiman as the older level and creepier titles! I hope I like Platypus Police Squad, I see a lot of people do, but it does look verrrry silly!
DeleteI think I need to find a copy of Forest Has a Song. I've heard a lot of good things about it. Have you seen A Stick is an Excellent Thing? That's one of my new favorite poetry books about being outdoors, although not necessarily in the woods.
ReplyDeleteI have not see A Stick is an Excellent Thing yet, though I might have seen it on Carrie's blog...I am just sitting down now to digest all the Monday posts! I appreciate the recommendation though, especially for a new poetry book!
DeleteHi there Nicole! I'm a huge Gaiman fan. Have you also read "The Day I Swapped my Dad for two Goldfish" another Gaiman and Dave McKean collaboration? Brilliant! I haven't read Chu's day yet, so I'd definitely look for that one. I just scrolled up and saw that Carrie and I had the same recommendation. You should definitely find "The Day I swapped my dad..." not too macabre but definitely odd and interesting. :) It comes with a cd-audio if I'm not mistaken. Haven't read any of the Hattie series yet. Hopefully, I get to that soon.
ReplyDeleteOK, I JUST requested the book. We don't have it on audio in any of our libraries though. Well, there's an e-book, but I wanted the real thing. If I love the book I will order it with the CD for my personal collection! The cover looks creepy! I will probably scare the kids ;)
DeleteI finished Hattie Ever After yesterday, and having never read the first one I was amazed at how much I loved this one. So, someday I will go back to read Hattie Big Sky!