It's Monday!

        Time to share the latest books and link up with our hosts: Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers. Sheila at Book Journeys started a meme to share all kinds of books read each Monday, then Kellee, Ricki and Jen formed theirs for only children's lit. Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR.


  I read a few books this week thanks to my colleague who loaned them to me. I’m in the midst of reading and making notes for the Cybil’s poetry group, so my reading time for extra reading, in addition to school, is much less. But the poetry is wonderful!

The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop - written by Lewis Buzbee
              It's been a read to savor, a few weeks reading, but I did enjoy this book about book stores, including the history of long ago merchants who spread their few 'hand-written' scrolls on a rug at the market places of the east, the changes made with the discovery of sheepskin versus papyrus, and then of course the printing press. It was also interesting to hear how bookstores and sales reps really work, and throughout the book, the sheer love of books was there, and the love and description of book stores and small tales of big acts in them. Over and over again, Lewis Buzbee returned to book love. I suspect if you are reading this, you too love books, and will love this one.

     

Thank You, Santa – written by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Kerry Argent

            Samantha writes a sweet letter to Santa “after” Christmas, to thank him for the gifts. She’s not bored, but has a bad cold, and tells Santa she’s knitting squares, but maybe soon something will change?  Thus begins a delightful correspondence between Samantha and Santa, for Santa gets many letters from children “before” Christmas, but never “after”.  The relationship progresses and they continue to exchange notes and little gifts month after month. This is so cute, certainly a wonderful book for young children whose families celebrate Christmas.

Max and the Tag-Along Moon – written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

             Pages filled with beautiful illustrations, nearly always helped by that bright yellow orb we count on, the moon. And the story, from saying goodbye to his granpa, who says: “That ol’ moon will always shine for you…on and on!” As Max rides home, he follows the moon, in and out of trees, appearing after driving through a tunnel. At last they arrive home, but clouds have blown in, and the moon has disappeared. The ending is touching. This book has a broader message. I’ve heard many tell about sharing the moon no matter where they and their loved ones live. And this is a sweet story that connects Max to his granpa.

Homemade Love – written by Bell Hooks and illustrated by Shane W. Evans

              Evans’ collage/paint illustrations fill the page with Mama’s “girlpie” and Daddy’s “sweet,sweet honey bun chocolate Dew Drop” and all the love that happens in the home of a really sweet little girl. Even when a bit of a sad time comes with an accidental breakage, all is forgiven. Fun and life goes on, cart-wheeling through the day to sleep time. It’s a cute book full of happiness, few words, and a story that’s like a hug.

Lizzie Nonsense, A Story of Pioneer Days - written and illustrated by Jan Ormero

              Oh wow, this is one gorgeous book set in the Australian bush, based on the lives of the author’s mother and grandmother, a sweet story about a mother, a father, Lizzie and a baby. Lizzie’s always dreaming, thus her mother calls her Lizzie Nonsense. Alone for days while the father takes wood to sell in town, her mother does the regular chores and Lizzie helps, but does it with a large imagination. We see her playing in the woods, pretending to drive a buggy, she says the baby is “afloat in a boat on a big, wide sea” when he’s being bathed, and she pretends to be a bride when she picks flowers from the garden. Although it must have been lonely, the story would start a good conversation with young children about what to do when they feel lonely themselves.  Having a good imagination like Lizzie Nonsense helps a lot.

Still reading:

I’m reading The Port Chicago 50 at school during silent reading, and loving it, although I’m not very far. Steve Sheinkin’s books are indeed worth reading! Not sure what’s next at home!