#Road2Reading Challenge: Classroom Pets & Imaginary Friends

February 21, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and chapter books. This week, we are both looking at Transitional Chapter Books.

Super Turbo Saves the Day
by Lee Kirby; Illustrated by George O'Connor
Little Simon (December 20, 2016)
Fiction * Classroom Pets * Super Heroes
Audience: 1st to 3rd grade
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
He’s not just the class pet hamster, he’s SUPER TURBO! In this brand-new series that’s packed with adventure, Captain Awesome’s loyal sidekick is the star of the show!

You know Turbo as the crime-fighting hamster from the Captain Awesome books. But ever wonder what actually goes on when the last school bell rings and Turbo is left to his own devices? After all, what do you think your class pets do all day? You think they sleep, eat, and wait for you to play with them? Well, think again, because Turbo isn’t just any hamster. He’s SUPER TURBO and he’s here to fight evil in and out of the classroom! Along with his superpet companions, Turbo battles everyday evils at Sunnyview Elementary, such as flying ninja squirrels, a gang of evil rats, giant Eraser Dude, and more!

In this first book, Turbo realizes that he’s not the only superpet in town (or in school). As he meets fellow superpets, such as Angelina the guinea pig (a.k.a. Wonder Pig) and Frank the rabbit (a.k.a. Boss Bunny), he also encounters a super VILLAIN: a rat who goes by the name of Whiskerface. Can Turbo and the Superpet Superhero League save the school from Whiskerface and his rat pack?

With easy-to-read language, illustrations, and comic panels on almost every page, the Super Turbo chapter books are perfect for emerging readers!

Quick thoughts on the book:
There is something about school after hours, especially at night. As a child, I imagined my teachers having secret apartments where they slept and ate. Why not the possibility that classroom pets have their own adventures at night?

Lee Kirby has created a new series for young readers ready for a chapter book format. The story of Sunnyview Elementary School's classroom pets and their alter egos in super hero format is told over ten chapters with primarily a large font and and a many illustrations. Illustrator, George O'Connor moves between typical line drawings found in transitional chapter books with comic book style blocks. labels, and dialogue bubbles.

Readers will enjoy how Turbo (a classroom hamster) meets up with the other classroom pets and takes on Whiskerface and his team of "rats" in order to protect the school. Though the book is a simplistic on plot development, and characters experience little if any change in development from the beginning to the end, which makes it a good starting place for children beginning to understand how a story unfolds. However, the length of the book and style of text may provide some challenge for readers as they move from more simplistic early readers to transitional chapter books.

If you like this book, check out the next book in the series:

Super Turbo Vs. the Flying Ninja Squirrels by Lee Kirby; Illustrated by George O'Connor

Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend
by Holly Anna; Illustrated by Genevieve Santos
Little Simon (April 4, 2017)
Audience: 1st to 3rd grade
Fiction * Friendship * Imaginary Friends
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Hi! I’m Daisy Dreamer and this story is all about how I met Posey, my totally true imaginary friend.

Hi, I’m Daisy Dreamer. People call me the girl with her head in the clouds because I daydream some of the time…or maybe most the time. But isn’t that what makes life so…well, dreamy? Together with my best friends, Lily and Jasmine, we love to write stories, draw, and invent games. Then one day, I drew a doodle in my special journal and you know what? That picture moved! All. On. Its. Own. And that is how I met Posey, my totally true imaginary friend. Now he’s got a story to tell. And guess who’s going to tell it. Yep, that’s right. Me, Daisy Dreamer, the girl with her head in the clouds.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Daisy Dreamer chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Quick Thoughts on the book:
In Holly Anna's new Daisy Dreamer series, readers meet Daisy and her family and friends. Her two closest friends are Jasmine and Lily. Daisy shares her new journal with her friends and also shares the prompts that her grandmother has included in the book.

Daisy struggles with the typical challenges and joys of a 2nd grader. `Readers will relate to Daisy's daily routines in getting ready for school, transitioning through school activities, or with the challenges of dealing with classmates who can be mean, and by playing with an imaginary friend.

Daisy Dreamer is stylistically more like a typical transitional chapter book than Super Turbo. There are ten chapters with illustrations, medium font size, and just over 100 pages. Also similar to Super Turbo, there is a simplistic plot and characters remain fairly consistent in personality and responses to what happens in the story. As with Super Turbo, the length of the book may require some stamina building. Additionally, the one element that I am least fond of is the cliffhanger at the end of the book. Since not all children will have access to every title in the series, this may be a source of frustration for children not having the next book or for others who start with one of the later titles in the series.

If you like this book, check out the other books as they release this year:

Look for these books at your local indie bookstore or community library.

Don't forget to link up your reviews of Early Readers or Transitional Chapter Books:

#Road2Reading Challenge: Where are the How-To Books?

February 14, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and chapter books. This week, we are both looking at Early Readers.

How-To Books for Very Young Readers....

In the Kindergarten Writing Units of Study, there is an informational unit and the recommended mentor text is MY FIRST SOCCER GAME (2012).

The goal in this unit is for young writers to learn how to write "How-To" books.

The mentor text included with the units has recently undergone a change of sorts from the version above to the one below.

The cover of the new book states that there is slightly different text and art.

Though both the first version and the second version are engaging books for young readers and soccer fans, the text is stronger in sharing with readers information about the topic (in this case soccer) but is light on the how-to. (Note: Not a fault of the book just a caution when using it as part of the unit.)

However, teachers often come to me looking for additional mentor texts, specifically for How-To books. So, I started a search.

There is a fictional book, Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Westcott (1987), which talks about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich through the use of a rhyme/song and a popular recommendation. Many teachers already have a copy of the book.

Of course, I did a little more searching and came up with a series by Capstone. This How-To series has several titles published in 2011.

How to Make Slime by Lori Shores and Gail Saunders-Smith (Capstone, 2011).

Above is a sample page and text from How to Make Slime.

There were a few additional titles I could find from obscure sources but they were not as easily acquired.

What recommendations do you have of still in print books that work well as a kindergarten How-To text? (Please note them in the comments section and I will update the post with your suggestions.)

Until I find additional books for our How-To unit...enjoy some of the other titles in the Ready-to-Read My First Series by Simon Spotlight.

I did discover that in the end pages of My First Gymnastic Class, there were a couple of pages that provide readers with directions for several poses.

Don't forget to link up your reviews....

#Road2Reading Challenge - Upcoming Releases! Mark Your Calendar

February 5, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and chapter books. As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I started doing new release posts. Once a month, I will post about new releases as I find out about them. Though most of the books listed below are chapter books, I will continue to find out about new early readers. Also, since many of these books have yet to be released, I can only share titles and not thoughts on these books. Look for future mini-reviews as I read through new releases. Also, I have included links to previous posts mentioning new releases just below. Also, don't forget to check out Mrs. Knott's Book Nook for more releases.

January Part I | January Part II

Mark your calendar for some new releases in the next couple of months...

January 2017

The Adventures of Henry Whiskers by Gigi Priebe; Illustrated by Daniel Duncan (Aladdin Books)

February 2017

Labra-cadabra-dor's Revenge by Walker Styles; Illustrated by Ben Whitehouse (Little Simon)

Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel by Charise Mericle Harper; Illustrated by Ashley Spires (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Mission Unpluckable! (The Bad Guys #2) by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

Mutant Rat Attack! The Spy Next Door by Jay Cooper (Scholastic Press)

Starry Skies and Fireflies by Jenny Meyerhoff; Illustrated by Eva Chatelain (Aladdin Books)

March 2017

The Cave of Aaaaah! Doom! (Ella and Owen #1) by Jaden Kent; Illustrated by Iryna Bodnaruk (Little Bee Books)

Dark Shadows: Yes, Another Misadventure by Doreen Cronin; Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin (Atheneum Books)

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz; Illustrated by Brian Floca (Candlewick Press)

April 2017

Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend by Holly Anna; Illustrated by Genevieve Santos (Little Simon)

Piper Morgan Makes a Splash by Stephanie Faris; Illustrated by Lucy Fleming (Aladdin Books)

Remy Sneakers vs. the Robo-Rats by Kevin Sherry (Scholastic Press)

May 2017

Crash! The Kid From Planet Z by Nancy Krulik; Illustrated by Louis Thomas (Grossett & Dunlap)

Goldie Rules the School by Stacy McNaulty (Random House Books for Young Readers)

Good For Nothing Button! (Elephant and Piggie Like Reading) by Charise Mericle Harper; Mo Willems (Disney-Hyperion)

Octo-Man and the Headless Monster (The Escapades of Clint McCool #1) by Jane Kelley; Illustrated by Jessika Von Innerebner (Grosset & Dunlap)

Don't forget to link up a review if you have one....

#Road2Reading Challenge: A Look at Some New Chapter Books

January 31, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

When Michele Knott and I decided to do the #Road2Reading Challenge, we were thinking of posting at least 3 times a month. Somehow we managed to make it through 4 weeks, and pushing onto a 5th weeks since January was generous and gave us a 5th Tuesday. We decided to both post some of the transitional chapter books that we were reading.

Today, I decided to include four titles that will appeal to advanced readers in kindergarten up to about 8 year or 9 years old.

Agnes and Clarabelle
by Adele Griffin & Courtney Sheinmel; Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Bloomsbury, January 17, 2017
Ages: 5 to 7

In this new series by Adele Griffin and Courtney Sheinmel, young readers will venture into a sweet story of friendship reminiscent of Frog & Toad. Four stories collected together as separate chapters tell about common events like surprise birthday parties, new sneakers, pizza and beach days.

Stinky Spike The Pirate Dog
by Peter Meisel; Illustrated by Paul Meisel
Bloomsbury, March 14, 2017
Ages: 5 to 7

Stinky Spike is the first book in another new early chapter book series published by Bloomsbury. With three chapters, larger print, and full color illustrations, young readers are taken along on an adventure with Stinky Spike The Pirate Dog. Unlike Agnes and Clarabelle, Stinky Spike's story is carried throughout the 3 chapters.

Ugly Cat & Pablo
by Isabel Quintero; Illustrated by Tom Knight
Scholastic, April 25, 2017
Ages: 7 to 9

For the next level of reader, Isabel Quintero introduces children to Ugly Cat and his friend Pablo. In the advanced copy, the illustrations in the book are in grayscale and I don't believe this will change between now and the finished version in April. With ten chapters, and more complex storyline and even bilingual phrases and sentences, makes this book about an unusual friendship between a cat and a mouse the right book for students moving beyond simple early chapter books.

The Two and Only Kelly Twins
by Johanna Hurwitz: Illustrated by Tuesday Mourning
Candlewick Press (2013)
Ages: 6 to 8

The Two and Only Kelly Twins is not a new release. In fact, it was released about 4 years ago. However, the second book in this series featuring identical twin girls comes out in April. The original book has 6 chapters and would be a good transition book (based on reading levels not interest levels) between a series like Stinky Spike and Ugly Cat & Pedro.

Double or Nothing With the Two and Only Kelly Twins by Johanna Hurwitz and illustrated by Tuesday Mourning is the follow-up book and releases in April 25, 2017. I will be doing a review of the new book the week of April 10th. If you would like to enter a giveaway for a copy of the new book, check out GoodReads here.

As each of these books release in the next few months, look for them at your local indie bookstore.

So, what new or old early chapter book series do you like?

Don't forget to link up your reviews if you are joining in with the #Road2Reading Challenge:

#Road2Reading Challenge - The Youth Media Awards Edition

January 24, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Michele Knott of Mrs. Knott's Book Nook and I kicked off a new reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To read about the challenge you can check out my initial post here.

______________________________________________

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference. I love Midwinter. I get to connect with friends, talk with publishers about new releases coming out, sit in on the Children's Notables Discussion and meet with other members of the Schneider Family Book Award Jury. On Friday, my committee spent hours discussing out short list and choosing winners. I will do a post later this week on the winning books for the Schneider Award and tomorrow, I will post about the Sibert Award books.

Since we started the #Road2Reading, I walked around the exhibit hall looking specifically for early readers and transitional chapter books. At each booth, I would ask the publisher reps to show me what they had that was coming out.

Last week, I shared just a little about the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award. You can read the post here. Below are some of the books spotted in the wild at ALA Midwinter or found their way into my suitcase.

Before I cover the winners, I wanted to talk a little bit more about the purpose and criteria of the award. The information below comes from the Geisel Manual which is found here.

From the manual:
The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award was established in 2004, to recognize those books for beginning readers which meet a particularly high standard of excellence.

Purpose: The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award recognizes the author and illustrator of a book for beginning readers who, through their literary and artistic achievements, demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading.

Terms: The Award is to be given annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature that encourages and supports the beginning reader published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

Critera:
In identifying the most distinguished children’s book for beginning readers, committee members will consider the following important elements and qualities:
* The subject matter must be intriguing enough to motivate the child to read;
* The book may or may not include short "chapters";
* New words are added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience;
* Words are repeated in an easily recognizable pattern to ensure knowledge retention;
* Sentences are simple and straightforward;
* There is a minimum of 24 pages. Books are not longer than 96 pages;
* The illustrations demonstrate the story being told;
* The design of the book includes attention to size of typeface, an uncluttered background that sets off the text, appropriate line length, and placement of illustrations;
* The plot advances from one page to the next, and together with the illustrations, creates a "page-turning" dynamic.
* The book creates a successful reading experience, from start to finish;
* The book is respectful and of interest to children
* The book shows excellent, engaging and distinctive use of both language and illustration.

Based on the above terms and criteria, this year's Geisel Committee selected four (4) honor books and a winner.