It's Monday, Plus Poem # 4

           On Mondays, I connect with a group that reviews books they want everyone to know about. Here's a fabulous way to discover books worth a look. 

          Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.   

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   It's also April, poetry month, and I'm attempting to write a poem every day, sometimes taking someone else's challenge, sometimes finding inspiration myself. Today it's a celebration of books, so my Poem # 4 is about books, in a slightly different way. 

 I reviewed a new poetry book for Poetry Friday last week. This wonderful book by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, Every Day Birds, is written for young children to begin learning about birds. My post is here.

And go here to Diane Mayr's post at Random Noodling  for line number four of Irene Latham's Progressive Poem.

My Appetite

Books give a soda fizz,

sweet icing on a cake,

salt and pepper in a stew,

a chocolate ice cream shake,

Books taste like lollipops,

mint by the garden wall,

first strawberry ripe and read,

pasta with a huge meatball.

Books know the tang of lime;

they don’t forget the spice.

They flavor dim sum pages.

Their menu’s worth the price.

Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved

       I finished the Two Writing Teachers' slice of life challenge last week, and I read lots of words/slices, but fewer books. Here are those I'm happy to share!

SweaterWeather & other short stories - Sara Varon

         I am not familiar with Sara Varon’s work, at least until now. Evidently parts of this book have been published earlier, and some later parts in different publications for awards, etc., Sara gives some of this information in the small introductions to each part. As the title says, the book holds short stories, in graphic form, all cleverly presented and most made me slow down a lot so I could really look at each cell, missing as little as possible of the details. They each have one theme, like friendship, but Sara has also added a part about bee-keeping, complete with tools and a charming section with paper dolls, to be copied and cut out. For all creative people, children and adults, there are pages of interviews of other artists who work at home, the good and the bad of that. Those who are thrilled with lots of cartoons in stories will love this book. There seems to be something in it for all ages.

Tiger and Badger - Emily Jenkins and Marie-Louise Gay

            There can be ups and downs between friends, and this story shows the arguments of Tiger and Badger who adore each other, but just do not agree on everything. The arguments may seem trivial, but each one feel so strongly about them. This is taken to a “fight” level, but as you will see, these best friends continue their relationship, and know how to “make up”, too. The text is simple, with Marie-Louise Guy, the illustrator of the wonderful Any Questions?, showing action and emotions in a delightful outdoor setting.  She includes much detail, but without losing the real focus, these two friends and their actions and emotions. It’s a story that will bring questions and a lot of conversation about friendships and ways to disagree and to compromise.

Lionheart - Richard Collingridge

           When you are afraid of monsters, you need a Lionheart, which young Richard has, although he has to experience some scary moments before he realizes it. Gorgeous full page illustrations are key in this story. When I read it I marveled at the show of magical scenes both alarming and sweet. Also, that picture of Richard meeting his Lionheart makes one feel so good.  I do wonder how a conversation about this book will go with young children. It isn’t a funny book about monsters which some are. It takes monsters seriously, but adds a solution to being scared. It’s a beautiful story

for adults: The Red Notebook - Antoine Laurain

        I discovered this story translated from the French at my local Indie in a display of books that include bookstores in the plot. It’s been a while since my last “adult” book, and a long time since I’ve read a love story (except for The Storied Life of A.F. Fikry, another bookstore story), although I didn’t know it would be one until I read it. A bookseller, Laurent Letellier discovered an abandoned handbag on top of a dumpster, seemingly expensive, and full, except for the things he knows were stolen, cash, cell phone, identification. He believes he’s doing a good deed when he takes it and tries to deliver it to a police station. They are busy with other things, so he ends up taking it home, and that is when the search begins for this elusive woman who carries such things as a signed book by a well-known author, a red notebook with intriguing jottings of lists and dreams. The search is on, and there are surprises in the characters, Letellier, his daughter, the mystery woman, and a few minor characters who carry part of the story too. I enjoyed every bit of traveling through these few weeks of intrigue, literature references included, and voices one wants to know more about.  Laurain's earlier book, The President's Hat, won a prestigious award, so now I have another on my wish list.

Just started: Stella By Starlight - Sharon Draper - I'm already interested, and know I can read this this week because I'll be traveling!

        I'm out of town later in the week, and won't be able to share about my progress for #MustReadIn2016, linking up to Carrie Gelson, but will catch up next week. Be sure to read everyone's posts this Friday at Carrie's blog, There's A Book For That.

Happy Reading!