My Week in Books: a Picture Book Episode

Here’s another picture book post. I’ll share other books I’ve read separately.

Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King

This is a favorite for reading to first graders, with their developing sense of justice and the importance of friendship. It was so fun, then, that I got to read it as a substitute in first grade recently.

14 Cows for America, by Carmen Agra Deedy in collaboration wwith Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah,  illustrated by Thomas Gonzales

The day I subbed at my old school was September 11. I was invited to share this book with elementary classes. What an honor. This is such a touching perspective on our nation’s tragedy, well told for young people.

Journey, by Aaron Becker

I love Journey, and so do my students. We were sure it would win the Caldecott Medal. It won an honor, and we were very glad! I got to “hear” it again, with new eyes and ears, when I went to see Aaron Becker during his release of the next book in his picture book trilogy:

Quest, by Aaron Becker

I saw the trailer for this book and was transported. Experiencing it for the first time with Aaron Becker himself welcoming us in was magical. Plus, we got red and purple markers to create our own Journey and Quest!!

Ninja!, by Aree Chung

Oh, man, this is such a fun book. I can’t wait to share it with students next week. I’ll read it with 4th and 5th graders when we’re all away from home at camp next week, but don’t tell them. Before-bed readings are always a surprise.

Little Red Writing, by Joan Holub, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

I’ve wanted this book for a long time, and upon reading it I know that our middle school Language Arts teacher needs it for his classes the very most…what fun.

No Monkeys, No Chocolate, by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young, illustrated by Nicole Wong

We read this to prepare for the Q and A webinar led by the author, Melissa Sweet, as part of the National Biodiversity Teach-In. Teachers really enjoyed sharing the publishing timeline Sweet created to tell the ten-year saga of her attempts to get this book published. More on our experience soon!

Two Speckled Eggs, by Jennifer K. Mann

I can’t say how much I love this book. The bespectacled, magnifying glass-toting character reminds me so much of myself as a young child, not quite fitting in, but following my own wonderful path anyway. It’s so important to see ourselves in books.

Have you seen yourself in a book recently?

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