Category: Children’s

Five Standout Picture Books to Read this Month

Posted in Children's, Holiday, Read Aloud2 Comments

Are you on the lookout for new picture books to share with the little ones in your life? Here are 5 books to request from your local library or purchase this month:

 

 

1. Alma and How She Got Her Name

by Juana Martinez-Neal

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Alma and her family have completely melted my heart. I pored over the soft illustrations and inspiring story of a library copy of Alma and How She Got Her Name, then immediately ordered this picture book for my daughter. When Alma complains to her father that her full name–Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela–is too long, he tells her the story of her name. We meet each relative her name honors and learn the unique interests, beliefs, and contributions of Esperanza, José, Pura, and Candela. “I love the story of my name!” Alma declares.  Just when I thought the book couldn’t get any better Alma’s father shares, “I picked the name Alma just for you. You are the first and only Alma. You will make your own story.”  Perfection. This book could lead to a wonderful discussion of how a child received their name or open the doors to investigating their family tree. I shared this with teachers and students at a recent All School Meeting and cannot stop singing its praises! Highly recommended.

For more on this book, check out this Activity Kit from Candlewick, watch the interview with author and illustrator Juana Martinez Neal, and see her draw Alma.

 

 

 

2. Dad By My Side

by Soosh

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Are you on the lookout for a great Father’s Day read? Dad By My Side is my pick this year. I spotted this book on display at the fantastic independent bookstore, Water Street Books in Exeter, New Hampshire and had to buy it for my husband. Author and illustrator, Soosh, portrays this father/daughter pair with so much love and affection as they play games, snuggle, have puppet shows, chase monsters, and more. I particularly love the pages where they “try new things” (sewing the daughter a dress) and keep in touch when the dad is away by singing lullabies on the phone. This is a book that I think is about to become a bedtime staple for our family and I bet the dads and kids in your life will enjoy it as well. To see more of Soosh’s illustrations and read about her inspiration for the book, check out, “Artist’s Tender Illustrations Show The Kind Of Father She Wishes She’d Had”.

 

3. Saffron Ice Cream

by Rashin

We are heading into the season of trips to the beach, and in Saffron Ice Cream we get a taste of two different beach experiences. Young Rashin and her family have moved to Brooklyn from Iran and are about to head to the beach at Coney Island for the first time. As they travel there, she thinks back on what it was like to go the beach by the Caspian Sea and wonders what will be the same and different. Rashin misses many things about her old home, including her favorite flavor of ice cream–saffron, but she discovers Coney Island has a lot to offer, including the promise of a new friend. I’m excited to share this one with students this week as we promote summer reading by turning the library into a beach for some fun reading time–complete with umbrellas, sand pails, beach towels and chairs, ocean sounds and more!

You can hear the story behind the book from the author, Rashin:

 

 

4. The Honeybee

by Kirsten Hall and Isabelle Arsenault

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The Honeybee is a beautiful book, with illustrations you will want to stop and savor. The writing is just as charming with rhyming text that begs to be read out loud. “Do you hear it? You’re near it. It’s closer, it’s coming, it’s buzzing, it’s humming…A BEE!” Perfect for outdoor sharing or as a science read aloud, little ones will learn all about honeybees and their important role in our world in a lively, engaging way. For more, you can also check out the activity sheet from the publisher:

Honeybee Activity Sheet from Simon & Schuster Honeybee Activity Sheet (pdf)

 

5. Captain Starfish

by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys

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In Captain Starfish, we meet Alfie, a young boy who wants to attend his school’s underwater parade in his starfish costume, but is feeling too shy and anxious. “I can’t”, he tells his mom, “Please don’t be angry”. Alfie’s parents are both depicted as loving and supportive and his mom decides to take him to the aquarium. It is there that he draws inspiration from a different sea creature that also needs to “hide away” sometimes.  A comforting, sweet story that is sure to connect with children. This is also a gorgeous book with bright coral, blue and seafoam colors throughout.

 

What picture books are at the top of your list right now? You can share in the comments or on Twitter @ABookishHome.

Author Event Roundup: Massachusetts Edition

Posted in Books for Adults, Children's, Events2 Comments

Want to enhance your reading life and build on the bookish enthusiasm in your home? Add an author event to your calendar.

There is nothing quite like getting to see an author read from their book and discuss their work in person. Those interactions make the reading experience that much richer.  If you bring one of the little ones in your life along for an event with a children’s book author the experience of hearing how the story came to life can be magical. For aspiring writers and illustrators of all ages, it is also hugely motivating and inspirational.

Check the events calendar at your local bookstore, library, and museums to find authors coming to your area. You can also follow authors on social media or visit their website to see when they might be going on book tour.

 

Here is a roundup of some of the author events coming soon to my corner of the world in Massachusetts:

 

Pamela Druckerman, There Are No Grown-Ups: A Midlife Coming-of-Age Story

Wednesday, May 30th – 7:00 pm at Brookline Booksmith

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Bringing Up Bébé fans can go see author Pamela Druckerman at Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, MA on May 30th. On her new book Kirkus Reviews writes, “Half memoir and half ironic how-to guide, Druckerman’s book is not only a humorous meditation on the gains and pains of a time in life ‘when you become who you are’; it is also a thought-provoking meditation on ‘what it means to be a grown-up.’ ”

For more information, visit Brookline Booksmith Event.

 

 

Storytime with Maddie Frost, Animobiles: Animals on the MOOve

Friday, June 1, 2018 – 11:30am at Belmont Books

61wZZRERBYL._SY484_BO1,204,203,200_Bring your little one to this story time with author Maddie Frost: “Some vehicles go VROOM! Some animals say ROAR!…What could be better than a mash-up of two of the best things: animals that roar and things that vroom?!”

Event website: https://www.belmontbooks.com/event/storytime-maddie-frost.

 

 

From Picture Books to YA: Seven Children’s Authors Discuss the Wide World of Children’s Literature

Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 3:00 pm at Wellesley Books

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Looking for an author event to attend with the kids and teens in your life?  Check out this panel from Wellesley Books on June 3rd with fantastic authors like Debbi Michiko Florence, who writes the Jasmine Toguchi series and Cordelia Nelson, author of Every Shiny Thing.

“Kids, parents, teachers, and aspiring writers, join us for From Picture Books to YA: Seven Children’s Authors Discuss the Wide World of Children’s Literature. The panel will include Megan Frazer Blakemore (The Daybreak Bond), Julie C. Dao (Forest of a Thousand Lanterns), Erin M. Dionne (Lights, Camera, Disaster), Debbi Michiko Florence (Jasmine Toguchi series), Cordelia Jensen (Every Shiny Thing), Jarrett Lerner (EngiNerds), and Anna Staniszewski (Wish series).”

Event website: https://store.wellesleybooks.com/event/seven-childrens-authors

 

Jasmine Guillary, The Wedding Date

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 – 7:30pm, presented by Harvard Bookstore at Oberon, Cambridge

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If you’re a fellow fan of the wonderful Anne Bogel (of Modern Mrs. Darcy and the What Should I Read Next podcast), you might recognize The Wedding Date from her 2018 Summer Reading Guide. You can see author Jasmine Guillory in conversation with Margaret H. Willison on June 5th.

“Harvard Book Store and Love Letters welcome debut novelist JASMINE GUILLORY for a discussion of her beloved romance, The Wedding Date, in which a groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance. Jasmine will be joined in conversation by podcaster and librarian MARGARET H. WILLISON.”

To see more event information visit Harvard Bookstore Events

 

 

Kate Messner, Breakout

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 – 6:00pm at An Unlikely Story Bookstore, Plainville

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Kate Messner, author of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z, All The Answers, and the new book Breakout will be at An Unlikely Story Bookstore on June 6th.

“Join us in welcoming award-winning author, Kate Messner to An Unlikely Story to introduce her new book Breakout, a fantastic middle-grade read based on the true story of a prison-break 3 years ago in New Hampshire. When two inmates break out of the nearby maximum security prison, Nora’s fun summer plans are shut down, and everyone is afraid. Will fear change her town forever? It’s a fast-paced, thought-provoking story that encourages readers to examine privilege and perspective.”

To see more event information visit An Unlikely Story Events

 

Tommy Orange, There There

Thursday, June 7, 2018 – 7:00pm at Harvard Bookstore

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I have been hearing a lot of buzz about this debut from Tommy Orange, which Kirkus Reviews called “vivid and moving” in a starred review. Tommy Orange will be discussing There There at Harvard Bookstore on June 7th.

“Harvard Book Store and GrubStreet welcome TOMMY ORANGE—a recent graduate from the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts—for a discussion of his highly anticipated debut novel, There There…There There is a relentlessly paced multigenerational story about violence and recovery, memory and identity, and the beauty and despair woven into the history of a nation and its people. It tells the story of twelve characters, each of whom have private reasons for traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow.”

Event Website: http://www.harvard.com/event/tommy_orange/

 

 

Why We Write Middle Grade

Saturday June 9, 2018 – 1:00pm at the Eric Carle Museum, Amherst

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**Middle grade fans, mark your calendars for June 9th. The lineup of authors on this panel at the Eric Carle museum looks like a dream come true. From Jeanne Birdsall, who just released the final book in the beloved Penderwicks series, to Lisa Yee, author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius and the DC Superhero Girls series. A book from this event has also just zoomed to the top of my TBR list–House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg. 

“Middle grade books, for 8 to 12 year olds, can sometimes be unsung and misunderstood, stuck as they are between picture books for young children and YA books for teenagers. So what draws writers to middle grade? Join panel of authors Jeanne Birdsall, Cammie McGovern, Catherine Newman, Liz Rosenberg, and Lisa Yee as they discuss the joys, choices, and challenges involved in writing for this age group.”

For more information, visit: https://www.carlemuseum.org/content/upcoming-events

 

Lauren Groff, Florida

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – 7:00pm at Harvard Bookstore

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Fans of Fates and Furies can see Lauren Groff at Harvard Bookstore on June 13th to discuss her newest book, Florida. Library Journal calls this short story collection, “Well-observed, unexpected writing for fans and more.”

“Harvard Book Store welcomes celebrated writer LAUREN GROFF—author of National Book Award finalist Fates and Furies—for a discussion of her latest book of short stories, Florida–In her vigorous and moving new book, Lauren Groff brings her electric storytelling and intelligence to a world in which storms, snakes, and sinkholes lurk at the edge of everyday life, but the greater threats and mysteries are of a human, emotional, and psychological nature. Among those navigating it all are a resourceful pair of abandoned sisters; a lonely boy, grown up; a restless, childless couple, a searching, homeless woman; and an unforgettable, recurring character—a steely and conflicted wife and mother.”

Event Website: http://www.harvard.com/event/lauren_groff1/

 

Susan Tan, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is A Classic

Monday, June 18, 2018 – 6:00pm at Silver Unicorn Books, Acton

 

Cilla Lee-Jenkins has become very popular in my library and fans can go see author Susan Tan discuss the newest book at Silver Unicorn Books in Acton on June 18th.

“In local author Susan Tan’s new middle-grade novel, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic, we get reacquainted with the lovable third-grade author who we fell in love with in Tan’s debut, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire.

Both installments in this series have garnered much praise from the literary community. This Book Is a Classic has received a starred review from Booklist, and earned praise from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and notable authors like Rachel Renee Russell (Dork Diaries) and Grace Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon).”

 

 

Randy Susan Meyers & Charles Coe, The Widow of Wall Street

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 – 7:00pm at Porter Square Books, Cambridge

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Randy Susan Meyers will be appearing at Porter Square books on June 26th to discuss The Widow of Wall Street, which Publishers Weekly called “an engaging and sharp reflection of the rapid changes in marital dynamics over the course of the 20th century, as well as a cautionary tale about the dangers and allure of ambition in the heyday of Wall Street.”

“The National Writers Union presents a special evening with Randy Susan Myers, author of The Widow of Wall Street in an interview/conversation with author/poet Charles Coe.

Phoebe recognizes fire in Jake Pierce’s belly from the moment they meet as teenagers. After they marry and he creates a financial dynasty, she trusts him without hesitation–unaware his hunger for success hides a dark talent for deception. But when Phoebe learns her husband’s triumph and vast reach rests on an elaborate Ponzi scheme, her world unravels. While Jake is trapped in the web of his deceit, Phoebe is caught facing an unbearable choice. Her children refuse to see her if she remains at their father’s side, but abandoning him feels cruel and impossible. From penthouse to prison, with tragic consequences rippling well beyond Wall Street, Randy Susan Meyers’s latest novel exposes a woman struggling to survive and then redefine her life as her world crumbles.”

Event website: Porter Square Books Event

 

 

What author events in your area are you excited to add to your calendar? Let me know in the comments or @ABookishHome on Twitter.

Plan A Bookish Vacation: Visit the World of Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island

Posted in Audiobooks, Children's, Events, Read Aloud3 Comments

Bookish Destination: Prince Edward Island, Canada

Summer is almost here. This is the perfect time to plan a bookish vacation to immerse yourself in the world of one of your favorite characters. If you are an Anne of Green Gables fan or have a child in your life who has loved the book, a trip to Prince Edward Island would be a magical experience.

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©Tourism PEI / John Sylvester

 

 

aoggcover.jpgAnne of Green Gables is the first book in the beloved series by L.M. Montgomery. As the book opens we meet eleven-year-old Anne Shirley, an orphan who has come to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert at Green Gables farm on Prince Edward Island.  What Anne thinks is a dream come true has actually been a mix-up–the orphanage was supposed to send a boy. We cross our fingers that Anne (and we as the reader) will get to stay in the wonderful world of small-town Avonlea, with its endearing characters and stunningly beautiful scenery.

To say Anne of Green Gables stole my heart as a child is an understatement–I’ve read the books more times than I can count and Anne is even my daughter’s namesake. I know there are many more kindred spirits out there who would love nothing more than to step into the world of this story. Since L.M. Montgomery drew on her own experiences living in PEI, traveling there is the next best thing.

 

Here are five stops to make on your bookish trip to Prince Edward Island:

 

1. Green Gables Heritage Place

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Photo Via: http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/greengables

This is the quintessential stop for Anne fans. Green Gables Heritage Place is in Cavendish (the real Avonlea) and this site is where L.M. Montgomery is believed to have drawn inspiration for Green Gables. The farmhouse belonged to cousins of Montgomery’s grandfather and is now part of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s National Historic Site.

You can take a tour of the house (furnished with items from the book like a dress with “puffed sleeves”), walk through the “Haunted Wood”, and stroll down “Lovers Lane”. This was the highlight of my visit to PEI when I made my Anne Shirley pilgrimage in 2014.  You can’t help but feel Anne’s presence as you take in this site and feel the story come to life.

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©Tourism PEI / John Sylvester

Read more at: https://www.tourismpei.com/green-gables-house

 

2. The Anne of Green Gables Museum at the Campbell Homestead

Credit: ©Tourism PEI / John Sylvester
©Tourism PEI / John Sylvester

L.M. Montgomery used to visit her Uncle John and Aunt Annie Campbell on this farm in Kensington and described it as the “wonder castle of my childhood”. She even chose to be married in front of the fireplace here. During your visit you can see the “Lake of Shining Waters”, take a carriage ride with “Matthew” as your driver, and view some of Montgomery’s belongings. Like the Green Gables Heritage Place, you definitely feel as though you are stepping into the setting of Montgomery’s books at this site. For devoted Anne fans looking for a wedding venue, you can even follow in Montgomery’s footsteps by holding your ceremony in the parlour.

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©Tourism PEI / John Sylvester

Visit http://www.annemuseum.com/index.php to learn more.

 

3. Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace

 

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Photo Via: http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/greengables

Located in New London, this is the home where L.M. Montgomery was born in 1874. Highlights at this site include Montgomery’s personal scrapbooks and a replica of her wedding dress. A great stop to pay homage to an incredible author.

Read more at http://www.lmmontgomerybirthplace.ca

 

4. Dalvay By the Sea

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http://www.dalvaybythesea.com

If you’re a fan of the 1980s Anne of Green Gables movie adaptations, you must add Dalvay-by-the-Sea to your list. Known as the White Sands hotel in the movies, this is where Anne gives the “Highwayman” reading. Kate Middleton (a fellow Anne enthusiast) and Prince William even visited Dalvay-by-the-Sea on their Canadian tour in 2011. I recommend stopping by for high tea while you channel your inner Megan Follows.

For more visit: https://www.dalvaybythesea.com

 

5. Anne of Green Gables the Musical at the Homburg Theatre

Anne of Green Gables the Musical, showing in Charlottetown at the Homburg Theater is now in its 54th season. I have not gotten to see this one myself, but after looking at the trailer and listening to some of the soundtrack (both below) it is on my list for a future pilgrimage!

 

 

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Anne of Green Gables The Musical Soundtrack

 

If you’re trying to convince your family or friends to make this Anne piligrimage with you, Prince Edward Island also has fantastic fresh seafood, beautiful scenery for long bike rides or camping, and pristine beaches.

©Tourism PEI

 

Preparing for your Trip

 

Read

https://www.ahalife.com/product/149000014638/anne-of-green-gables-book-set?rw=0&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ProductListingAds&sku_id=176000195724&gdffi=bd86e4109e464c699d8e6104ee485c92&gdfms=15B6CCC7510D4497B23E0BEBDE6FE55C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o4&scid=scplp176000195724&sc_intid=176000195724

Read (or re-read for the hundredth time) Anne of Green Gables and the rest of the series.

 

 

You can also read the wonderful Emily books, which feature another of Montgomery’s heroines.

 

Listen

I recently listened to the entire Anne series again using Librovox’s free audiobooks. I enjoyed revisiting Anne of the Island and Anne’s House of Dreams again in particular.

 

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You could also request an audiobook from your library or listen to Rachel McAdams read Anne of Green Gables on Audible.

 

 

Share

If the little ones in your life are too young to listen to an entire novel, share one of these books with them. I love Anne of Green Gables: A Places Primer, a board book that highlights locations like “The Lake of Shining Waters” with gorgeous illustrations. For a more traditional retelling, I really enjoy Usborne’s picture book version of Anne of Green Gables. 

 

Watch

Watch an Anne of Green Gables adaptation. In my opinion, nothing has topped the classic 1984 CBC movie version. I know this one by heart. Make it a viewing marathon and continue with the sequel!

 

 

 

Four Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Posted in Books for Adults, Children's, Read Aloud2 Comments

Some books stick with you long after you’ve put them down. Here are four books I’ve read this month that continue to keep me thinking about the characters I met or mulling over ideas from the author:

You Go FirstYou Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly

You Go First is the new book by Erin Entrada Kelly, who won the 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello Universe. I really enjoyed Hello Universe and even selected it for a 4th and 5th grade book club, but You Go First is her best book yet.  I started reading this during my daughter’s afternoon nap last Saturday and ended up staying up late that same night because I had to finish it. Yet, at the same time, I was savoring every page and so did not want it to end–reader problems! This is one of those books where my husband kept giving me the side eye, as I alternated between laughing out loud to myself, tearing up, and practically hugging the book. (For fans of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin it felt like that!).

This book is told from the alternating perspectives of two middle schoolers, Charlotte and Ben, who have never met. They are online Scrabble competitors. They are not totally honest with each other at the beginning, but we as the reader know they actually have a whole lot in common. Erin Entrada Kelly paints such a realistic portrait of life at school and her writing is spot on. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt alone in the crowd. This is for kids trying to simultaneously wade through the waters of changing friendships and school while dealing with a family member’s illness, divorce, or another tough situation. You will root for these kindhearted, smart, interesting, relatable characters with all your heart. I cannot wait to put this into the hands of as many students and teachers as I can. Highly recommended for upper elementary. This is my favorite kidlit of the year.

 

Check out the wonderful Erin Estrada Kelly sharing a bit about the book and reading a chapter:

 

 

PiecingMeTogetherPiecing Me Together by Renée Watson

When I saw Piecing Me Together win both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award at the Oscars of children’s books (the ALA Youth Media Awards), I eagerly requested it from my public library. When this YA book finally became available a few weeks ago, I happily downloaded the library ebook on my Kindle and proceeded to completely lose myself in sixteen-year-old Jade’s story. (Ten Steps to Get the Most Out Of Your Local Library)

Jade has a scholarship to St. Francis, a prestigious prep school in Portland, Oregon. When she is pulled into her counselor’s office one day, Jade is sure it’s to find out she has been selected to go on the school’s study abroad trip to Costa Rica. To her dismay, her counselor actually wants her to participate in the “Woman to Woman” mentoring program–an opportunity she is eventually convinced to accept given that it promises full college scholarships to mentees. Jade’s observations about race and class in her experiences both in the program and floating between her neighborhood and St. Francis are sharp and compelling and Watson’s writing is stunning. Jade is a character you have to meet–a must read.

To hear more from author Renée Watson on why she wrote the book and how it relates to her own experiences check out this fantastic 5 minute interview:

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The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito and Julia Kuo

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In the picture book The Sound of Silence, Yoshio is off to school, walking through the streets of Tokyo taking in a “symphony” of sounds. When a musician he encounters shares that her favorite sound is silence, he begins to look for this elusive sound everywhere. Yoshio eventually finds silence by losing himself in a book–the whole world falls away around him. My students loved sharing which books gave them that wonderful reading experience, where you completely enter the world of the book and are taken out of your own life. (You Go First and Piecing Me Together certainly did that for me!). Perfect for a discussion about mindfulness or getting into a state of flow with a particular activity. The illustrations in this picture book are also so detailed and beautiful and Yoshio’s quest to seek out the moments of “ma” (silence), will inspire you to embrace the quiet in your own life. This would be a stellar addition to any picture book collection.

 

There'sNoSuchThingAsBadWeather

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) by Linda Åkeson McGurk

I shared that I had started There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather in Reads for the Moms in Your Life. I had really been enjoying it and predicted it would be great for fans of Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman. I’ve since finished and have to say it has stuck with me and really led to a mindset shift. I enjoy books that explore the ways in which what makes you a “good parent” in one culture, might make you a bit of an outlier in another. In this case, Linda Åkeson McGurk explores how in Scandinavia getting your children outside every day (in any weather) and giving them free reign to explore and play in nature is woven into cultural norms. This line about the structure of the day in preschool struck me in particular, “A survey of a hundred preschools in Stockholm showed that the average time spent outside was one and a half hours per day-on a bad-weather day in the winter. On a nice day in the summer, the average was nearly six hours”.  Holding a children’s birthday party outside in the snow, being encouraged by the government to have your baby nap outdoors, and bringing rain gear to school and playdates (because outdoor play happens rain or shine) are just a few examples McGurk mentions from her own children’s experiences during their 6 month return to her childhood home of Sweden. I don’t know if I will quite reach that level, but this book was good inspiration to provide our little ones with a bit more unstructured, outdoor play and exploration–both for the fun of it and for the benefits. For my toddler, that means the joy (and sensory experience) of digging in the dirt and touching the trees and working on her balance as she happily runs around the yard. I’m beginning to think that in our culture of a million and one activities, my providing of “enrichment” could simply include a library card and time outside.

 

What are the books you can’t stop thinking about right now?

 

 

Books Flying Off My Library Shelves

Posted in Children's, Libraries, Read Aloud2 Comments

One of my favorite parts of my job as an elementary school librarian is seeing which books don’t stay on the shelves for long. I love learning which titles are connecting with my students the most and exciting them. When I’ve memorized a book’s call number because it’s asked for so many times a day, that’s usually a good indication it’s a hit!

 

If you’re looking for a book for a child in your life, here are some of the books flying off the shelves in my little corner of the world–a K-5 school in Massachusetts:

 

 

You can’t go wrong with a funny picture book! Newer books like Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt are making my students laugh out loud. No, David! by David Shannon also continues to be a crowd pleaser. It’s unusual to have a kindergarten or first grade class where someone doesn’t ask for “the David book”.

You can see the book trailer for The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors here:

 

 

 

For beginning readers, you can never have too many Elephant & Piggie books! My students cannot get enough of these funny early readers from Mo Willems. (I wish he would keep writing more!). Our copy of this Elephant & Piggie Biggie just arrived and it has five books in one, so I think it is going to be well loved in the library! My students are also really enjoying reading about the adventures of Katie Woo in the series by Fran Manushkin and getting into the game with Get a Hit, Mo and David Adler’s other titles in this sports series. And Noodleheads by Tedd Arnold, author of the Fly Guy books, continues to fly off the shelves. These are great books to read aloud together or give to a beginning reader.

 

 

Graphic novels are certainly flying off of the library shelves–these are some of the most popular books in the library. I definitely see graphic novels creating voracious readers who are building great habits in their reading lives–such as stopping by the library daily to get their next book!

For early elementary school, some of the most popular series in my library this year are Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (copies of this one in particular don’t stay on the shelf long!), the Narwhal series by Ben Clanton, and the Squish books by Jennifer and Matthew Holm. For third to fifth graders, Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce continues to be incredibly popular (I say “FIC PEI”, the book’s call number, many times a day!), as does the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi. Some other favorites for my students are the Hilo series by Judd Winick and the Four Points series by Hope Larson which starts with Compass South. The graphic novel editions of Ann M. Martin’s beloved Babysitters Club series are also in demand. Like many other readers of my time, that was my favorite series as an elementary schooler, so it’s fun to see these revisited. I have yet to bring in my giant bin of all the original books to show the students, but I need to!

 

 

 

Some of our most popular fiction titles are books with compelling characters that really allow you to walk in someone else’s shoes–books like Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper, and The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. These three incredible books were also on our state book award list for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, The Massachusetts Children’s Book Award program. All three are fantastic reads, but The War that Saved My Life completely stole my heart so I was so happy students across the state picked it as the winner! The sequel, The War I Finally Won is equally wonderful–these are two books that pull you in and won’t let you put them down until you find out the fates of the characters. I also love that these books, set during World War II era England, have turned many of my readers on to historical fiction. Author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley discusses the book in this interview:

For fantasy/science fiction fans, readers are also loving The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, which I think would make a great classroom read aloud. Our copy of the sequel, The Wild Robot Escapes is on its way to the library, so I know we will have some excited readers! Fantasy fans are also loving The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer, which is full of adventure and fairy tale characters come to life.

 

Which books are a hit right now with the kids in your life?

Reads for the Moms in Your Life

Posted in Audiobooks, Books for Adults, Children's, Read Aloud2 Comments

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Here are some of the books I’ve been sharing lately with the moms in my life.

 

For the Expecting Mom:

Bringing Up Bebe

Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman

This was a parenting book I actually enjoyed reading when I was pregnant, so when a friend recently shared she was expecting, Bringing Up Bébé was my first recommendation. Part memoir, part parenting book, Pamela Druckerman shares her experiences as an expat living in Paris and raising children. While it was interesting to hear how French babies “do their nights” (sleep through the night) after a few months or have excellent table manners, what I found most useful as a nervous mama-to-be was the simple realization (and reassurance) that there are many ways to parent and varied advice from experts depending on where you live in the world. This book was also great on audio–entertaining and conversational.

For more on Bringing Up Bébé you can listen to this review from NPR when the book came out in 2012:

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For the Mom Heading Back to Work:

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The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, & Success After Baby by Lauren Smith Brody

We read up about pregnancy and parenting, but what about tips for reentering the workforce after maternity leave? That’s where Lauren Smith Brody comes in with The Fifth Trimester. Brody was the executive editor at Glamour magazine when she made her own transition to working mom and has since made it her mission to help other mothers.  The book is full of practical tips and reads like a helpful friend walking you through what can be a challenging phase–from evaluating schedule options, to figuring out a postpartum wardrobe and handling feelings of “I have to quit”. This is another title that was an ideal audio read–perfect company for pacing the house with a fussy baby!

For more on The Fifth Trimester, check out this excellent interview from Westport, Connecticut’s public library:

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Pair this one with Bye Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick or I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas.

These are two read alouds a friend sent me to share with my daughter before she started daycare. They are comforting reads about a parent’s love for a child, even when you are apart. (Cue the waterworks).

 

 

For Moms Juggling Career and Family

I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vandarkam

I have become a big Laura Vanderkam fan this year. Her basic premise is that we each have 168 hours in our weeks and it’s up to us to spend that time wisely to build the lives we want. In both books, she shares week-long time logs she gathered of how people spend their 168 hours and encourages readers to try the exercise themselves. I Know How She Does It focuses specifically on women with big jobs, who are still managing to spend plenty of quality time with their families, exercise and have leisure time. Both of these books have made me more mindful and creative about how I choose to structure my day and spend my time. I also appreciate Vandarkam’s transparency in parts of the book and on her podcast, “Best of Both Worlds” with what she and participants prioritize and what they outsource or have help with. Everyone’s situation is different, but I think it’s useful to have windows into how various women are making life and career work.

Here’s one episode of the “Best of Both Worlds” podcast you can check out:

Episode 2: The 2nd Shift: Evenings with Your Kids

“Make the most of your evenings with your children. Working moms and kids can be tired. How to make sure you both enjoy your time together.”

And if you enjoy her books or the podcast, stay tuned–Laura Vandarkam’s next book Off the Clock comes out on May 29th! I already have my library hold placed.

Off the Clock

 

 

For the Mom Looking for Her Tribe…And a Laugh


How to Party With an Infant by Kaui Hart Hemmings

For a funny, fictional read check out How to Party With an Infant. Mele, a single mom to daughter Ellie joins the San Francisco Mother’s Club looking for the elusive perfect “mom friends”. From the author of The Descendants, this is a lighthearted, relatable look at navigating motherhood, growing up, and leaning on newfound relationships along the way. Check out this Glommable interview to hear more from author Kaui Hart Hemmings.

 

 

 

For the DIY Mom

Lovable Livable Home

Lovable Livable Home: How to Add Beauty, Get Organized, and Make Your House Work for You by John and Sherry Petersik

John and Sherry Petersnik are the couple behind Young House Love, the DIY home decorating blog. This book is perfect for anyone tired of tripping over toys and staring at blank walls. Their home decor ideas are simple, practical, and geared toward the needs of young families. This was the inspiration I needed to finally buy some toy storage and deal with my entryway.

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For Moms with the Travel Bug

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At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider

I shared At Home in the World in What I’ve Been Reading (Part 1)…. This is a travel memoir from Tsh Oxenreider, a writer who spent a year traveling the world with her husband and three young kids. This book is inspiration for the mom who hasn’t gotten the travel bug out of her system–whether that means finally mustering the courage for that two week trek around Europe with a toddler in tow or planning some fun day trips in your own backyard.

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For the Outdoorsy Mom Who Loved Bringing Up Bébé

There'sNoSuchThingAsBadWeather

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) by Linda Åkeson McGurk

This book currently resides on my nightstand and so far I’m really enjoying it. If you’re already a fan of Bringing Up Bébé , this is the same concept, but what Scandinavians can teach us about parenting instead. (Essentially, get our kids outside!) Originally from Sweden, Linda Åkeson McGurk is raising her children in the Midwest when she begins to notice different social norms around children and nature. When a family situation arises, she decides it is a good opportunity to move back home and see if the nature loving, “there’s no such thing as bad weather” Sweden of her childhood is still thriving. Check out Is Friluftsliv the New Hygge? for more on this title.

 

I’ve clearly been immersing myself in books for mothers at my stage of life–with little ones at home. What books would you recommend to the moms in your life?

Ten Bookish Gift Ideas for a Baby Shower

Posted in Children's, Events, Holiday, Read Aloud2 Comments

Will you be attending a baby shower or buying a baby gift soon? This is a great time to help build baby’s library and make sure the nursery is well stocked for many bedtime read alouds to come!

If you’re the one planning a baby shower, I love when the invitation asks guests, “Instead of a card for baby and mother, please give a book with your thoughts in the cover”. Many of my daughter’s favorite books and read alouds were baby gifts from friends and family and it is so wonderful to open a book and see a loved one’s name inside.

Not sure what book to choose? Here are some ideas to get you started!

Ten Bookish Gift Ideas for a Baby Shower

1. A Fun, Silly Board Book by Sandra Boynton–she has many!

Board books are also a perfect, durable choice for easy sharing with a little bookworm that might love chewing on the pages.

 

2. One of Nancy Tillman’s Sweet Stories

These board books make loving, sentimental read alouds. On the Night You Were Born is our favorite.

 

3. A Delightful Bedtime Read Aloud

Meet Little Nutbrown Hare in the classic Guess How Much I Love You or discover beautifully illustrated dreamlands in Dream Animals. Both are perfect for reading over and over with a sleep little one!

 

4. A Board Book for Learning

Try a book that teaches–from where baby’s eyes and nose are (Where is Baby’s Belly Button) to baby’s First 100 Words, or well known nursery rhymes such as “Humpty Dumpty” and “Mary Had A Little Lamb” (Usborne Very First Nursery Rhymes).

 

5. Holiday Read Alouds

A great idea for building baby’s library is by gifting books for holidays. We received books for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Halloween and more at our baby shower and it has been so helpful to have those ready to share with our little one! Some of our favorites are Leslie Patricelli’s funny stories such a Boo!, Fa La La, and Huggy Kissy.

 

6. A Classic Picture Book

Help build baby’s library with one of these wonderful picture books to enjoy for years to come!

 

7. A More Recent Picture Book Favorite

Gift one of these stellar books to stock the nursery! Capture the imagination with The Dot or Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and inspire perseverance (Ada Twist Scientist) and gratitude (Last Stop on Market Street). You also can never go wrong with  a book from Mo Willems’ crowd pleasing, laugh out loud Elephant and Piggie and Pigeon series.

 

 

8. A Bookish Onesie from Out of Print

Pair your gift of a classic picture book with a coordinating bookish onesie!

 

 

 

9. A Storybook Gift Basket

You can create a gift basket with a children’s book and coordinating stuffed animal or other items. I’m a big Peter Rabbit fan and loved the coordinating blanket and baby dish set we received. Barnes and Noble has quite a few character stuffed animals including Peter Rabbit, Pigeon, and Madeline. Your local bookstore would be another good place to try.

 

10. A Subscription to Hello Magazine from Highlights

We received a Hello magazine subscription as a baby gift and it has been a hit! It’s fun to get mail each month and the magazine makes a great read aloud choice. My favorite part though is how perfectly constructed this is for babies and toddlers– it’s the perfect size for little hands (and to throw in the diaper bag), the pages can be chewed on and tugged without ever getting damaged and you can wipe it down.

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Do you have a favorite bookish gift idea for a baby shower? Share in the comments.

Don’t forget to subscribe to A Bookish Home to receive your weekly email with a new post sharing ideas for building a culture of reading in your home. You can also follow A Bookish Home on Twitter (@ABookishHome) or Facebook (@ABookishHome).

 

Have a Bookish Birthday Party

Posted in Children's, Events, Holiday, Read Aloud4 Comments

Are you planning a birthday party for your little one? Make it bookish!

1. Choose a Book Your Child Loves.

I’m always looking for ways to create a culture of reading in our home, so when it came time to pick a theme for my daughter’s first birthday party, we went with her favorite book–Never Touch a Monster by Stuart Lynch.

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She helped pick this adorable touch and feel board book at her daycare’s Scholastic Book Fair and it has been well loved this year–to the point that I had to sneakily replace it when it began to fall apart from all of my little bookworm’s chewing! (This also made me extra happy because in my pre-librarian life I worked at Scholastic). I highly recommend this one to any babies in your life as a funny, interactive read aloud they won’t be able to get enough of.

Basing a birthday party theme on a favorite book  would also work for older children. Some books that might lend themselves well are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Dino sports books, Harry Potter, Curious George, Land of Stories, The Lorax, the Rainbow Magic fairies series, Pete the Cat, Elephant and Piggie, Pinkilicious, and Wings of Fire.

 

2. Order or Make Decorations that Relate to the Story.

I have seen official book decorations, such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Those are wonderful, but you can buy or make related decorations if it’s a different book your child loves. So if your little one is a big Wings of Fire fan, you could look for dragon decorations. For the Rainbow Magic fairy books, go with a fairy theme or for The Lorax, you could try making truffula trees. Then you can also display copies of the book, either your own or from a library.

For the Never Touch a Monster book we ordered some monster decorations that looked similar to the characters in the story.  We also bought two new related touch and feel titles for our celebration we thought our little reader would love–That’s Not My Monster… by Fiona Watt and Never Touch a Dinosaur by Stuart Lynch. The books were able to double as decorations and party entertainment as well. I wasn’t feeling particularly crafty so this was a way to make the party feel special for her without taking much effort!

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3. Buy Books for Birthday Presents.

If you’re like me and try to get most of your books at the library, this is a good excuse to stock up on some new titles! Used bookstores and kids’ tag sales are also a great way to buy children’s books on a budget.

I found the presents I wanted while browsing at a fantastic independent bookstore I visited on a recent trip to Colorado: Boulder Bookstore. They had such a wonderful children’s section to discover new books in and it always makes me happy if I can support an independent bookstore.

 


The board books I chose for my little bookworm are Pride and Prejudice: A Counting Primer (A Baby Lit Book) by Jennifer Adams, My Little Cities: Paris by Jennifer Adams, and Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering by Ruth Spiro. These books are each part of a series with beautiful illustrations and interesting stories for children in the areas of literature, science, and travel (click on the links to see more titles). I also found an adorable Little Feminist board book set with pages on many important women “Artists”, “Leaders”, “Activists” and “Pioneers” such as Maya Angelou, Queen Elizabeth I, Malala Yousafzai, and Sally Ride.

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4. Write your Child Birthday Messages Inside the Books.

These were perfect titles to share thoughts on wishing her a life where she can follow her dreams and do anything she sets her mind to! I’m hoping to start a tradition of giving my daughter books every year for her birthday with keepsake messages written inside. You could write your child a message on their birthday book each year and then keep them on a special shelf.

 

5. Enjoy the Party and Read the Books with your Little One!

Celebrate, play, and read on the day of the party. Then you can continue to enjoy any books you’ve given as presents during daily read alouds together!

 

Have you made a children’s book a theme for a birthday party? Or have you gifted any great books lately? Share your ideas in the comments!

April Showers and Reads with May Flowers

Posted in Books for Adults, Children's, Read Aloud4 Comments

 

 

 

During another recent snowstorm here in the Boston area, I escaped into the lovely Perennials by Julie Cantrell (What I’ve Been Reading (Part 2)…). As I was soaking up all of the beautiful flower descriptions, I kept thinking back to the book I pored over last spring: Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms. This is not your typical gardening book. The photos in here are absolutely stunning and you will you want to start digging up your yard immediately.

Here’s a peek at Floret Farm from when owner and Cut Flower Garden author Erin Benzakein was interviewed after winning Martha Stewart’s “American Made”:

 

Last year I discovered I don’t exactly have the greenest thumb (I’m really better at the planning and research phase!), but I’m going to try again and this year I want to involve my toddler in the flower garden. She did just receive her own set of gardening tools from a family member, so my little helper will be all set to help water and play in the dirt!

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If you have an older child, they could look at Cut Flower Garden or another gardening book with you and help choose what you’re going to plant. Reading a gardening book together would also be a great example for kids of a “How To” book, which I know students at my elementary school practice writing. Check out the gardening section of your local library and bring home a stack!

There are also so many wonderful picture book read alouds with gardening inspiration for this time of year that you can read together:

 

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I adore My Garden by Kevin Henkes and for fans of Perennials, this is the perfect children’s book pairing! A child likes to help her mother in the garden, but also dreams of her own magic garden where things like jelly beans, chocolate, and seashells would grow. When I read this book to my students and ask them what would grow in their own magical garden their imaginations run wild–book trees, candy flowers and more! The illustrations in this book are also so bright and colorful. Highly recommended.

 

MissRumphius Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a recent favorite that I received from another librarian as a baby shower gift. As a child listening to her grandfather’s stories, Miss Rumphius says, “When I grow up, I too will go to faraway places, and when I grow old, I too will live beside the sea.” And she does–traveling the world and having many adventures before settling in Maine and deciding it’s time to “make the world more beautiful” with the simple act of planting many, many lupines. A lovely, inspiring read.

 

thegardener

Set in the 1930s, this historical fiction picture book by Sarah Stewart is told in a series of letters. The Gardener is a Caldecott Honor winner that tells the story of Lydia Grace, who is sent to go live with her uncle in the city after her father loses his job. She uses her gardening skills, a passion of hers, to help brighten the world around her and hopefully cheer up her curmudgeonly uncle.

 

Do you have a favorite read with “May flowers”? Share it in the comments!

 

What I’ve Been Reading (Part 2)…

Posted in Audiobooks, Books for Adults, Children's, Read Aloud3 Comments

thegoodhouse

I listened to The Good House on audio after it appeared on a list of 10 audiobooks so good you’ll want to fold another load of laundry, finish washing the dishes, or just sit in the driveway for 5 more minutes. This book definitely lived up to that hype for me and it was perfect company for those tasks. The Good House centers on small town life on the North Shore in Massachusetts. Our guide to the ins and outs of this world is self-described townie, Hildy Good–a realtor who makes it her business to know everything about everyone. I sometimes struggle with listening to contemporary adult fiction on audio, but this one is conversational and an addictive read, akin to listening in as your busy body neighbor shares some very intriguing town gossip.

 

noodleheads

noodleheadnightmares.jpegI absolutely love the new Noodleheads early reader series by Tedd Arnold, author of the Fly Guy books. These books will have the littlest readers in your life laughing out loud and begging for more. I read Noodleheads See the Future to some first grade classes during library last week and they all wanted to check the book out. I’m very happy to see that a third book is due out in September 2018! A great read aloud choice.

 

 

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“If growing up in this house hasn’t taught you all not to care whether you look cool or not, then I’m going to give up and send you all to school”. So says “CardaMom”, one of the moms in the delightful middle-grade book, The Lotterys Plus One by the author of the bestselling adult book Room, Emma Donoghue. This is the kind of boisterous, loving family you want to be a part of. Nine-year-old Sumac lives happily with her four parents, six siblings, and five pets–that is until an estranged grandfather struggling with dementia comes to live with the Lotterys and turns Sumac’s world upside down.  I’m hoping for a sequel so I can visit with these quirky, loveable characters again soon.

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ExtraYarn

I’m a huge fan of the picture books written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, such as this year’s The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse and the wonderful Extra Yarn. This fantastic read aloud is whimsical and funny, with beautiful illustrations. The story centers around a magical box of yarn that brightens a gloomy town and all of the inhabitants. It’s completely charming and a book that I keep coming back to with my students. If you’re a knitter, it would be wonderful to read the book aloud and then knit with your little ones.

Check out the story behind the story in this video with author Mac Barnett:

 

 

perennialsI know I’m not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but luckily in this case, Perennials’ gorgeous design did not disappoint. I completely fell into the story of Lovey Sutherland, who is called back to her family’s farm in Oxford, Mississippi and finds it might be time to try to make peace with the past. Compelling and heartfelt, I think this novel is perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Jojo Moyes. Julie Cantrell also brings this lush setting to life and the descriptions of the flower gardens central to this story will make you want to go start planting immediately–a perfect choice for spring. Bonus: Mississippi authors Eudora Welty and William Faulkner are weaved into the story. Highly recommended and I already have my library holds in for more books by Julie Cantrell! Up next, I’ll be sharing the perfect books to pair with this one.