Monday, January 27, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-27-14

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

Happy ALA Youth Media Awards Day! I can't wait to find out who wins! I will definitely be glued to my computer watching the webcast that's for sure.

I was an extremely productive blogger last week. I posted six out of the seven days. That hasn't happened in a long time.

Here's what I posted:
 
Review of Uptown by Bryan Collier
Review of Michel Symon's 5 in 5

Recap of Ruta Sepetys's visit to Ann Arbor
Thinking about the Newbery, Caldecott, et al.
Author guest post: Rebecca Behrens


Last week I finished listening to:

In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood


Some picture books I enjoyed last week:

Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton 
I was worried that arms on a chicken would freak me out, but Henny was surprisingly endearing. 

 
The Monstore by Tara Lazar, illustrated by James Burks
Cute story of a big brother trying to scare his little sister, only to discover that the monsters he buys would rather hang with her. Loved the illustrations.


Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit by Kadir Nelson
I wish Nelson had created this book in his signature style of painting, but I understand why he did it in sketches instead: coming off the high of the historic 2008 election, Simon & Schuster wanted to take advantage of that excitement and put out a book quickly. The book is still a powerful testament to that historic moment in our country's history, but I think it would have been even more powerful if Nelson had created paintings for these images instead. 


Find Momo by Andrew Knapp 
More a photography book than a traditional picture book, Find Momo appeals to kids and adults alike. It's like Where's Waldo but better - because it's real photographs and the subject is a dog. What's not to love? If you love Find Momo, then follow Andrew Knapp on Instagram, which is where Find Momo actually originated as a hashtag.


Currently (still) reading:

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer 



Currently listening:

Dark Life by Kat Falls 
 Wow! Kat Falls is sure a master of world-building! So far I'm loving this one. 

9 comments:

  1. Just finished a Peter Robinson novel, is Inspector Banks series. I am loving Ian McEwan's book Sweet Tooth now. You sure are a voracious reader!

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  2. I ended up loving Henny too! What a strong character :) Thanks for the other titles - added many to my list!

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  3. On your review, I went out and borrowed 5 in 5 from the library on my iPad. Love easy and healthy.

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  4. Congrats on 6 days of blogging! I always shoot for 7 out of 7, but almost never make it.

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  5. I know what you mean about the Nelson book - his paintings say so much all by themselves. I've seen this one at our local library and have meant to check it out for ages, now you have me motivated to do so, Beth.

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  6. Kadir Nelson is so talented! I love his works! Will definitely check out that book as well as Uptown! =)

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  7. I didn't even know about the Nelson book, so thanks for that. I imagine you're right-the publishers were in a hurry! I'd like to see the sketches, though. Henny does look cute, & the longer books sounds interesting, Beth. Thank you!

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  8. Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed my book, and I am a foodie, too! Haven't written any picture books about food, though. My favorite one is Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

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  9. Hope you are enjoying Endangered. What a novel. I want to read Threatened as well.

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