It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kid lit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kid lit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
After scouring through various "Best Of" lists and putting in holds at my local library, I spent Saturday reading picture books. There were some wonderful books that I had missed earlier in the year and glad to get to highlight them here. Some of the books were funny but so many of them had powerful messages.
Here is what jumped out of the pile from this weekend...
A Different Pond by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Thi Bui (Picture Window Books 2017) - A father and son straddle two cultures, the one they had to leave and the one that does not fully understand them.
Walk With Me by Jairo Buitrago, Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng (Groundwood Books 2017) - Sometimes life is hard and imagine getting to walk through the hard parts with a big friend? A little girl goes through the hard parts of her day with a lion as her buddy. A very special story.
The Wolf, The Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick 2017) - A duck and mouse are swallowed by a wolf. Humor and wit and a lesson learned in this newest book by Barnett and Klassen.
Town is By the Sea by Joanne Schwartz, Illustrated by Sydney Smith (Groundwood Books 2017) - This story of contrasts between the seaside coast and the coal mining underground from Canada is one that will connect with readers from many communities.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (Candlewick Press 2017) - I love how this book tackles the challenge of taking on a scary task, overcoming it and making it your own.
I Want that Nut! by Madeline Valentine (Knopf Books for Young Readers 2017) - I added this one to the list because it was just simply a fun book. A mouse and chipmunk struggle over who gets a nut until squirrel comes along.
When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson, Illustrated by Julie Flett (Highwater Press 2016) - A young girl learns about her grandmother's childhood through a serious of questions (Why do you wear such bright clothes? Why is your hair/braid so long?) Readers learn about a piece of the history of First Nation people.
Snow by Sam Usher (Templar 2015) - After discovering Rain earlier this year, I needed to check out this one. A little boy learns that waiting for his grandfather to go out an play in the snow doesn't ruin the experience.
My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo (Pajama Press 2017) - This Syrian refugee camp story can be added to The Journey and Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey as books to share and discuss with readers.
The Blue Songbird by Vern (Running Press 2017) - A young bird goes on a journey to find her own song. The watercolor illustrations in the book are gorgeous.
Don't miss this post from last week:
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Guest Post With Seth Fishman
So, what are you reading?