It's Monday - Books to Enjoy, Books Needed

  

         Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

       No matter how you are celebrating, wishing you a special Independence Day!

    First published in Slovenia by Mart Bartolj, following a path from a lost dog to kindnesses all along in a community. Someone gives an apple to a street musician and someone else sees that act, passes it on as each one sees a need, and figures out how to help. In brown tones, Bartolj highlights "every little kindness" with a touch of red, lightening someone's world. (I'm reminded of Zero Local: Next Stop: Kindness by Ethan and Vita Murrow.)

       Mr. Watson lives with Mr. Nelson and in their home, they have some dogs and cats, plus three chickens. Everything worked out just fine, mostly. They're in the house and Andrea Tsurumi's illustrations show some funny scenes. Those THREE chickens are everywhere, playing musical instruments, having pancakes with everyone for breakfast, the usual! Well, soon enough, "one, two, three" wasn't enough. Jarrett Dapier's story becomes outrageous, hilarious, hard to believe. Pretty soon, there are 456 chickens, EVERYWHERE. As Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson try hard to be happy about it, they do realize it's just too much. They box them up for moving them to a new home. What happens then, you'll need to read and read it aloud to a group of young readers who will love it and laugh till they cry. What a story!

         Two boys, friends from age 12, grew up to try a few other things, but thank goodness they settled on ice cream – together! This is the story of Ben and Jerry, their ice cream empire, and how they came also to be social and environmental activists. Lisa Robinson decided the story is an important one to tell and she shares it with fun, helped by the entertaining illustrations by Stacy Innerst. Some of the pages have a riddle for more laughs. "What does a cat like to eat on a hot day? A mice cream cone!" There is an author's note, a timeline, and a source list at the end. Great book!

      Brave little owl, very young, but has always had the goal to become a knight. Even in the face of a terrifying challenge, using his wits as a brave knight helped. Christopher Denise brings the tale to life with fabulous full-page illustrations, and close-ups of swirling emotions as this Knight Owl does his best at facing his fear during what he's good at, taking the night watch. You'll find small hints as you read of owl traits versus those human knights, a quite clever and unique story that shows everyone has something good to offer in our world. 

What's Happening? I just ran out of time and could not finish The Patron Thief of Bread by Lindsay Eager. I am about halfway through and it is terrific!