My Reading Life (9/19/22) #IMWAYR

Hello reading friends and happy Monday! Today I am sharing a bit of my reading life with you. I am also participating in It's Monday What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR. Here are some of this past week's highlights.

Reading Life Highlights

First off, I am the Scholastic Book Fair chairperson for the school that where I used to work. As the former librarian, I was very involved in the book fair and spent library class time to show book trailers and booktalk the books that were going to be featured in the fair. I adored seeing the excitement that was generated by the upcoming fair! Kids got so excited about the books that were going to be for sale and would also end up in our library collection. I am newly retired from my positions as librarian and reading specialist. A friend and colleague invited me to lead the book fair, so I of course couldn't say no! This past week, I talked with the Scholastic rep and discussed the fair that we have coming up in October. I'm very excited to get the excitement going not only among students but also among the staff of my former elementary school. More info to come on the progress of the book fair. I also renewed my membership to ALA and ALSC - American Library Association and Association for Library Services to Children. I'm exploring ways in which I can volunteer for the association. Also, I continue to maintain and keep a well stocked Little Free Library for my church.

Photo by Amy Soto

Meanwhile, here are some of the books that I read this past week . . .

Picture Book Picks

Photo by Amy Soto

Caldecott award winning illustrator, Michaela Goade, has written and illustrated this stunning picture book about a family tradition.  A girl and her grandmother set out in the forest and near the sea to collect herring eggs, fish for salmon, and pick numerous different kinds of berries during berry season.  As they pick the berries, they take only what they need and sing a "berry song," a song that shows gratitude toward the land.  In a brilliant author's note, Goade, explains, in detail, how she and her Tlingit, grandmother, as well as previous generations, also picked berries and foraged for food on the island of Sitka, Alaska.  As they picked, they too sang the "berry song."  Stunning watercolor and mixed media artwork fill the double page spreads of this beautiful picture book.  Berry Song is a perfect read aloud when discussing families and their many different traditions.  I highly recommend this gorgeous picture book for your personal or classroom collection.  Highly Recommended.

Photo by Amy Soto

A Place to Read written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson, is a perfect read aloud to kick off readers workshop, a visit to the library, or as a delightful bedtime story! In the story, a young reader attempts to find just the right place to sit to enjoy his book. With rhyming text and cozy artwork, Hodgkinson weaves a charming tale. Will the boy find the perfect spot for reading? Is that what really matters when reading a good book? Share A Place to Read with your readers to find out! Highly recommended.

Photo from GoodReads

From the creator of The Most Magnificent Thing, comes The Most Magnificent Idea. Ashley Spires has both written and illustrated the story of a little girl's struggle to create. She makes and creates all the time but one day she is uninspired and does not know what to make. The girl tries what she can to become inspired once again. It isn't until she notices a problem that she has an idea! The whimsical artwork for the book was created digitally in Photoshop. This satisfying picture book will make an excellent read aloud for children that preparing to create. Whether the creating is writing, building, making, or creating art of some kind. It also makes the perfect companion to The Most Magnificent Idea. Highly recommended.

Middle Grade Must Reads

Photo by Amy Soto

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd is one of my favorite middle grade novels that I've read this year. I listened to the audiobook that is narrated by the author. Twelve year-old, Olive has been homeschooled much of her life but she dreams of attending the local middle school and finding her "forever BFF." Olive's parents are hesitant to let her go because of a condition called, osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease.  Eventually, Olive is able to convince them and she begins school. Her first day doesn't go so well but when she learns of the legend of the hummingbird that grants a wish, Olive is determined to find the hummingbird. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, Hummingbird is the perfect class read aloud for upper elementary students or a great recommendation for students in fourth grade and up. This touching novel will help students understand and empathize with students with disabilities. Hummingbird is also a great recommendation for readers who are interested in a great family and friendship story. Highly recommended.

Poetry Break!

Photo by Amy Soto

For Every Little Thing Poems and Prayers to Celebrate the Day selected by June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrated by Helen Cann, is a delightful collection of poems and prayers. It celebrates the little things in life and captures the moments that seem ordinary and makes them extraordinary. Featured poetry is from poets both new and classic. Some of the poets included in the collection are; Walter de la Mare, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Fletcher, Charles Ghigna, Helen Keller, and many more! Poems and prayers were collected from many different religions and cultures. Charming illustrations are done in watercolor, collage, and colored pencil. With a focus on gratitude, the poems and prayers are arranged from beginning of the day to end of the day and offer readers inspiration and provide opportunities for discussion and celebration. For Every Little Thing will make a great addition to a Sunday school library collection and for a parent and child to share together. Highly Recommended.

Mother Goose Minute

Photo by Amy Soto

I'm always on the lookout for Mother Goose books and paraphernalia. The older, the better! On a recent antiquing excursion, I was so excited to find this gorgeous, vintage, 1933 Mother Goose Rhymes. It was It is in pristine condition. I am thrilled to add this treasure to my collection! This particular nursery rhyme collection was edited by Watty Piper and illustrated by Eulalie and Lois L. Lenski. You may recognize Lenski as the author/illustrator of the 1946 Newbery Medal winning, Strawberry Girl.

For the Bibliophile

Photo by Amy Soto

Like many of you, I am a true bibliophile! One of my favorite kind of books to read is books about books, reading, and libraries. So, in this section of my reading, I like to feature these types of books. Picturebook Makers by Sam McCullen is a real treat for those who are lovers of the picture book and its beautiful art. As a result of Picturebook Makers, a blog by dPICTUS, the book was created. It features some of the world's most well known picture book creators. The artists weren't interviewed. They were asked to tell the story behind the story of their picture book creation. Some of the picture book creator's featured in the book are; Jon Klassen, Shaun Tan, and Eva Lindstrom, and others. Grab a coffee, tea, or other beverage and take a behind the scenes look at the creation of some favorite picture book creators. Sam McCullen writes in the book's introduction, "this book is intended for publishing professionals, illustration students, and anyone else with a passion for picturebooks and a curiosity about the different approaches taken to make them" (5). Highly Recommended.

Jen from  Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are co-hosting the #IMWAYR blog hop.  Check out all the links to other blogs and see what great children's literature everyone is sharing; picture books, middle grade, and young adult.  

For more “Book Love,” follow me on:

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10604107-amy-lynn

Instagram mother_goose_librarian

Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

Some Books I"ve Been Reading (#IMWAYR 8/29)

Hello reading friends!  It's Monday, what are you reading?  Here are some great picture books

that I've been reading and loving!

 

Mr. Wrinkles loves this picture book!

Photo by Amy Soto

This adorable picture book gives a humorous introduction to different dog breeds, as a young girl goes in search of her missing pug. Meanwhile, Kirby the pug is causing traffic jams! Bright, bold, and whimsical artwork and speech bubbles tell the “tail” of how one, little pug can cause such havoc! The illustrations were done in pencil, pencil crayon, procreate, and Photoshop. Pugs Cause Traffic Jams will make a great read aloud. Kids will be shouting, “Pugs cause traffic jams!” at the appropriate spots as the book is read aloud. Pug lovers and dog lovers alike will delight in this picture book!

Photo by Amy Soto

A story of love, hope, and perseverance. Noemi and her mother leave their home in Mexico to come to the US. They must wait for their turn to cross the border. Belinda, the notebook keeper befriends Noemi. A perfect read aloud for many different kinds of discussions, including what it means to be kind no matter the circumstances. Beautiful and gentle illustrations were done in colored pencil, pastel, gouache, and photoshop collage.

Photo by Amy Soto

Jasper rabbit is back! This time he is haunted by a purple crayon that is perfectly pointy and smiles at him. When he begins to use the crayon, Jasper is acing his school work and is masterful in his art. Soon he becomes creeped out about the crayon. Jasper tries to escape the creepy reminders that he “needs” the crayon. Will he ever be able to outsmart the crayon? Brown’s signature shadowy, dark artwork, paired with Reynolds’ intense, creepy, yet funny writing, create the perfect atmosphere this humorously scary story. Creepy Crayons will have readers laughing out loud. 

Photo by Amy Soto

From the creator of Wreck this Journal, comes this interactive picture book that will have readers thinking about the books they read and love, in new ways. She encourages readers to use their senses to engage with a book and asks, "Did you know that a book is not able to be itself without you?"  Smith's book is done in her hand-lettering and a fun and unique photo design for illustrations.  Be sure to look at the book jacket (clothes for the book) for a surprise!  We are instructed that we are meant to use and interact with our books.  Share Smith's, Wreck This Picture Book older readers for a fun experience.  

Jen from  Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are co-hosting the #IMWAYR blog hop.  Check out all the links to other blogs and see what great children's literature everyone is sharing; picture books, middle grade, and young adult.  

For more “Book Love,” follow me on:

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10604107-amy-lynn

Instagram mother_goose_librarian

Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

Reading & Writing Poetry Collections & Anthologies

 Happy Poetry Friday!  

  My poetry collection. 

Photo by Amy Soto

Today’s Poetry Break was inspired by Stephanie Afinito, from A Lit Life. She posed a question to her Get Lit (erate) Community.  Since it is Poetry Month, Stephanie asked members of the community to share some of their favorite poetry book recommendations. I got to thinking about my, rather large collection of poetry books (they are mostly children's poetry books).  I decided to share books that feature poems about reading and writing, a topic that is one of my very favorites!  My heartstrings are connected to these books.  If you are a book lover and writer, you're going to love this list. My curated list is in no particular order.

Amy has filled a book with a glorious collection of poems about reading!  Need I say more?  

Amy has done it again, this time she's collected poems about writing.  Perfection!  

Whether you love language, or you are a literacy educator, you will want to add this sweet anthology to your poetry collection.  As the subtitle suggests, there are poems about reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  

I love this anthology of library poetry!  It doesn't get any better than this for those who love spending time in libraries! 

I have consulted this often and always did so in preparation for National Poetry Month in my classroom and my school library.  According to my GoodReads review, I stated that every bibliophile, librarian, teacher, and reader should own a copy of this little anthology.  There are poem treasures to be discovered again and again.   

I used this poetry anthology so often in my school library, that I knew I needed my own copy!  

Book lovers, you are going to want a copy of Salas' collection of poems about books, reading, parts of the book, and more!  As a former reading specialist and librarian, I often shared the poems from this book with my students, as we learned various aspects of literacy.  

I hope that you will check out these wonderful books!  Happy Poetry Month!

Today's Poetry Friday round-up is being hosted by Margaret at Reflections on the Teache, where she has the Progressive Poem.  Stop on over for lots of poetry love.  

Book Cover credits: GoodReads

For more “Book Love,” follow me on:

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10604107-amy-lynn

Instagram mother_goose_librarian

Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

4/18 #IMWAYR

 Happy Monday!  It’s Monday, What Are You Reading (#IMWAYR)?

Update on my Middle Grade Must Reads

Last week, I talked about how I was in the middle of reading The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.  Well, I finished it and have to say I gave it a rating of 4 stars on GoodReads.  The writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the character development and world building.  I do not read a lot of fantasy but this was worth the read.  

Picture Book Picks

This is a School written by John Schu and illustrated by Victoria Miller Jamison.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been following John Schu for years and I am thrilled that his first picture book has arrived in the world.  This book will not disappoint!  It is the PERFECT read aloud to share as you kick off the school year but it is also a splendid read aloud as a reminder of the importance of a school community.  Schu’s story is an important tribute to all that a school is and can be.  Jamison’s illustrations are bright and cheerful.  They invite the reader into the book just like the happy school depicted in the book.  If you and your students want to have a conversation about the school as a community or if you simply want to feel good, read This is a School.       

Poetry Break! 

Things We Eat by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong.  Once again, Vardell and Wong have teamed up to bring us another amazing poetry anthology.  Each letter of the alphabet features a fun food poem that begs to be read aloud.  Each poem is accompanied by cheerful 

For the Bibliophile

Writing Picture Books by children’s author, Ann Whitford Paul, is a handbook for those interested in writing picture books or just simply learning more about the writing of picture books, you may want to give this book a go.  Paul is the author of several poems and children’s books, including, If Animals Kissed Goodnight and If Animals Said I Love You.  To learn more about her, visit  her website, https://annwhitfordpaul.com/. 

Note: book images are linked from GoodReads

Jen from  Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are co-hosting the #IMWAYR blog hop.  Check out all the links to other blogs and see what great children's literature everyone is sharing; picture books, middle grade, and young adult.  

For more “Book Love,” follow me on:

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10604107-amy-lynn

Instagram mother_goose_librarian

Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

 Happy Poetry Friday!

Today I am sharing a Poetry Break! and a poem draft.  

Poetry Break! 

(if you are not currently familiar with Poetry Breaks, check out my first blog to read about them!  For Poetry Friday, a Poetry Break is a poetry book that I am reading and loving) 

Book image from GoodReads.

I’m in love with this poetry/picture book, written by Eric Ode and illustrated by Jieting Chen. Stop that Poem! Is a poem that is constructed as the reader is taken on a whimsical journey throughout an ordinary day in an ordinary neighborhood.  A young girl wheels a wagon, full of words to a yard, where she stacks her words to make a poem.  Soon her words are carried away with the wind.  “Stop that poem!” the girl and her friend shout.  The words are scattered throughout the neighborhood and new lines in the poem are crafted at each scene; a pond, a clothesline, a tree, and other neighborhood locations.  The artwork has more muted background colors, with brighter pops of color in the foreground, that draws the reader into the illustrations.  Pair this poem picture book with word cards and a clothesline for children to craft and create their own original poems. This is the perfect read aloud for anytime but especially now, during National Poetry Month!

Stop that Poem! has inspired me to draft this poem.  It is a work in progress.  Please feel free to leave me any feedback in the comments.  I would greatly appreciate it.  

Poems

by Amy Soto

I gaze out the window

My mind wanders 

Like clouds

Poems float by 

I try to catch one

but can’t 

 no matter how hard I try.

Like clouds

Poems float by 

Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme.  Be sure to stop over for a lot more Poetry Friday fun!

Until next time, Happy Reading and Writing, and . . . 

 I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

#SOL A Little Free Librarian

 Happy Tuesday!  Today is Slice of Life (#SOL) Tuesday!

Photo by Amy Soto

A Little Free Librarian

About a year ago, my church was looking for someone to manage their Little Free Library.  Of course, I jumped at the4 opportunity to help out!  Each week or every few days, I stop by the LFL to organize its contents and add new titles to its shelves.  I am now called the church librarian.  I love the title and love taking care of the adorable little library.  I have ordered a mini flag and hung it on a flag holder next to the library.  The flag reads, “Read, Return, Repeat.” 

Photo by Amy Soto

 Next to the library, there is a bench.  I live across the street from the church and its little free library.  I am able to look out my window and see people sometimes sitting on the bench with a book.  Last summer, there was even an older lady with a young girl in a stroller that visited the library weekly.  Each week, the pair would select books, sit on the bench and the woman would read to the child.  This brought me such joy.  

In a small room of the church, I have a store of donated books that I draw from each week to stock the library.  I often donate my own books as well.  The top shelf usually holds adult books and the bottom shelf contains children’s books, middle grade, picture, and even board books.  It’s fun to see what books get borrowed, what books are donated by LFL patrons, and which books return.  

I follow little free libraries on Instagram and recently saw that someone had decorated the window of the library with shamrocks.  I loved this idea and have decided to do something similar with my little free library.  I think that I will make a seasonal shape, such as umbrellas, bunnies, or eggs and place them on the inside window of the library.  I will encourage library patrons to take one to use as a bookmark.  

Being the librarian of my church’s little free library is so much fun!  Since I am a retired elementary school librarian, it allows me to still enjoy some aspects, in a very small way, of my former position.  

Photo by Amy Soto

                                                              

It’s a beautiful spring day, so I will stop over to the church, visit my book room, and organize and restock my little free library.  It is time for a spring cleaning.  It is also spring break week for the local schools.  So, maybe the little free library will have some extra visitors who might need something good to read while on break from school!

Photo by Amy Soto

Photo by Amy Soto

I hope you have an opportunity to visit a little free library!  Happy Reading!

What is Slice of Life?  Visit Two Writing Teachers to learn more.  To read other Slice of Life stories, please visit here.

4/11/22 #IMWAYR

 Happy Monday!  It's Monday, What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR

Middle Grade Must Reads:

Lately I’ve been diving into the backlist of books that I didn’t get around to reading when they were new or newer in the kidlit scene.  I’m currently finishing up The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.  Looking at reviews of the book, I see that there are a large number of readers who thought the book was 5 star worthy.  I did see an occasional 3 star review. I am not ready to give it a rating at this time since I’m only about half way through but I can say that I am enjoying Barnhill’s writing style, world building, and character development.   

Picture Book Picks:

I’ve read some outstanding picture  books lately!  Here are two of my favorites.

Being that I am a “pug mom,” I preordered this book as soon as I saw it on social media.  Bug on the Rug, written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Susan Batori is a great read aloud with lots of fun word play!  Pug has made himself comfortable on the rug but then along comes bug, wanting to claim the rug for himself.  Pug and bug are in for a battle, until slug comes along to mediate.  So much to read in rhymes, about pug and bug’s battle for the rug!  Adorable and funny illustrations capture the reader’s heart and funny bone!  Bright and bold pictures work perfectly with the sparing text, to cohesively tell of pug and bug’s adventure on the rug!  Bug on the Rug has earned a special place on my, “picture books about pugs” shelf!  Read this book aloud and afterwards have a blast playing with rhyming words and word families.  This a great read aloud for pre-kindergarten through grade three.   

Poetry Break! 

(if you are not currently familiar with Poetry Breaks, check out my first blog, Mrs Merrill's Book Break, to read about them!  For #IMWAYR, a Poetry Break is a poetry book that I am reading and loving) 

I’m in love with this poetry/picture book, written by Eric Ode and illustrated by Jieting Chen. Stop that Poem! Is a poem that is constructed as the reader is taken on a whimsical journey throughout an ordinary day in an ordinary neighborhood.  A young girl wheels a wagon, full of words to a yard, where she stacks her words to make a poem.  Soon her words are carried away with the wind.  “Stop that poem!” the girl and her friend shout.  The words are scattered throughout the neighborhood and new lines in the poem are crafted at each scene; a pond, a clothesline, a tree, and other neighborhood locations.  The artwork has more muted background colors, with brighter pops of color in the foreground, that draws the reader into the illustrations.  Pair this poem picture book with word cards and a clothesline for children to craft and create their own original poems. This is the perfect read aloud for anytime but especially now, during National Poetry Month!

Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

Follow Me:

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10604107-amy-lynn

Instagram: @mother_goose_librarian

YouTube: Mother Goose Librarian

My previous blog: Mrs. Merrill's Book Break!

(Note: book images are linked from GoodReads)

Jen from  Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are co-hosting the #IMWAYR blog hop.  Check out all the links to other blogs and see what great children's literature everyone is sharing; picture books, middle grade, and young adult.