Monday Reading - More 'Don't-Miss' Books

          Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who post their favorites.

         Thank you to Candlewick Press for this wonderful new gallery of five stories from Katherine Rundell. It will serve as a marvelous introduction to Mowgli and his growing up as he learns about the wise jungle animals that have become his family. Here again, we meet and learn the stories of Bagheera, Kaa, Baloo, Shere Khan, and others. Katherine Rundell’s books are favorites of mine as well as Kipling's stories, and I enjoyed her clever glimpse into the background stories of a few characters.                                                Illustrations by Kristjana William's are fabulous in showing vivid jungle scenes. An underlying theme is the cooperation among all the jungle creatures, borne out in the final challenge to save two small tiger cubs. Strength comes in learning others' languages, working together to achieve a goal that wouldn't have happened otherwise and equality among all the cultures. 

         Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne was the first read-aloud I ever read to my first class, a group of first graders. And I read it to my own children, then parts of it to middle-schoolers! Yes, even older kids enjoy the love and friendship in the stories, can find themselves in those endearing characters. Now Lindsay Mattick has expanded her story of Winnie from the earlier picture book and tells more by telling it to her son, Cole. He was named for his great-grandfather, Harry Colebourn, who bought this bear at a train station as he made his way to England, then to serve as a veterinarian for the horses serving in World War I. It is quite a story of love, despite the hardships, despite the sorrow, Winnipeg, becoming Winnie, won soldiers' hearts and then those visitors of the London Zoo where he waited for Harry to return, first for visits, then for good! He didn't get to stay with Harry but remained at the Zoo where a chance visit by a little boy and his father ended in another story also about friendship and love, Winnie-the-Pooh. Don't miss the extra notes and pictures at the back. I enjoyed the book very much.

      The first night of Hanukkah finds Gertie left out of most everything, but eventually all becomes settled when she gets to do the "best thing", light the first candle on the first night of Hanukkah. If you have loved these books far in the past, you will love this return by Emily Jenkins and shown with happiness and love by Paul O. Zelinsky. If you don't know them, it's time to discover Sydney Taylor's stories from New York City’s Lower East Side in the early part of the twentieh century.

       Kirkus writes: "Writing with the support of the Sydney Taylor Foundation, Jenkins expertly captures the warm family spirit of the classic books and their time for a new generation of readers. Zelinsky’s digital artwork brilliantly evokes the crowded but cozy tenement world of the early 20th century, while his use of perspective lovingly draws readers into the drama."

       It can be a story good for all year long. There is a glossary, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a link to a latke recipe, and source notes. I visited the Tenement Museum in NYC one time with my students and it was a wonderful experience, especially since I had read some of these books with students. 

            These next two will bring smiles to everyone, but they're especially for the young ones. 

            From one to ten, then back again, it seems to me that this counting book is a delight for welcoming winter. Two Dianas tell the story, from sleeping children to snow play with friends, back to cocoa and warmth inside, Diana Murray crafts a rhyme that's filled with happiness. That puppy even gets into this day! Diana Toledano creates snow-filled double pages as the first two kids go out into their snowy neighborhood and join friends for a winter's day of fun. Every page brings memories and a wish to step into this story!

          

          In basic terms, this is a simple book, just as expected from Kevin Henkes, who writes for young children. However, you must look closer to find that this darling elephant parade is subtle and complex, maybe call it 'sneaky'? It fills everyone up with movement words like "up, down" or "in, out" setting expectations high for whatever comes next in what adults know are "basic concepts". Here's a list: "numbers, shapes, adjectives, adverbs, and daytime and nighttime." Plus, there is a surprise at the end, another reason to jump into this "parade of elephants". It is fun, and seems like one that parents won't tire of reading again and again.

Now Reading: Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz.

What's Next: I have Countdown - 2979 days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade so that may be the one. And I have an ARC that's a Christmas tale that I may begin, too.