Brown Girl Dreaming

I finished Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson today.  This book has been on my to read list since we got it in our library 3 years ago.  I am so glad that I finally read it.  I listened to the audio book, which was read by the author (a big bonus, if you ask me).

Her poems are so beautiful as she tells the story through memories from her childhood.  I found myself mesmerized by her thoughts and it was hard to stop listening.  The one drawback to listening, I found, was that I didn't have a good grasp of the timeline.  When I peeked at the first couple of pages of the written book today, I was able to see the family tree which helped me better understand the timeline of her memories.

I highly recommend this book!  Learn more about Jacqueline Woodson on her website.  Also, check out this interview that she did on NPR!

I can't wait to recommend this to one of my students!!

One Proud Penny

One of my favorite places to find books is at my local public library.  I *might* be the person that comes and snatches up the new books on display...but I'll never tell ;)

I found this gem of a book about a month ago.  The illustrations caught my eye and after reading the first page, I knew I had to check this book out!

The illustrations are so fun and the content is present in such a fun and unique way!  It is the story of a penny, told by a penny.  The proud penny talks about where he was born, what he has been made of throughout history, and the odd places that he has been lost or dropped.  

Your students will absolutely love this book!  I promise!

Families, Families, Families!

Today I read Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang.  This book celebrates families of all shapes and sizes and is summed up perfectly on the last page...

"...if you love each other, then you are a family."

#bookaday Challenge, Day 3...done!

I Wish You More

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite authors.  Yesterday, in honor of #MOREforAKR, I went to my local bookstore and bought this book...

It was 1 of 3 books by her in the store and it was pre-owned...which made it only $5.37 (I would have paid full price for it though!)

In honor of #MOREforAKR I bought a handful of other books to hand out to some of my library students on Tuesday.  I bought an umbrella stamp and yellow paint so I can put the official Amy Krouse Rosenthal stamp of approval on them.  I plan to pass on the give of reading in honor of her.

This book is on my list for Day 3 of my #bookaday Challenge.  It is simple yet very powerful.  I plan to read it in library on Tuesday and hope that my students enjoy it as much as I did.  

On a side note, my son has discovered a new series that he loves (he read 3 chapter books today) and would like to start a blog of his own.  Stay tuned for more information ;)

Radiant Child #bookaday Challenge, Day 2

Today I read Radiant Child:  The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiet. 

Winner of both the 2017 Randolph Caldecott Medal and the 2017 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, this is the story of a young boy who overcame obstacles to become a radiant artist.  I loved the illustrations and how they told the story through his art.  It is a story of hope and perseverance.  Jean-Michel had a dream and he made it come true.  

I was sad to read that he passed away at such a young age.  I am thankful to author/illustrator Javaka Steptoe for sharing Jean-Michel Basquiat story with the world.

If You Plant a Seed

Today in class I read, "If You Plant a Seed" by Kadir Nelson.  If you haven't read his books or seen his illustrations, you are missing out on something amazing!

The paintings are beautiful and the message is powerful.  Spread kindness and it will come back to you many times over (and you may make a few friends along the way!)

This is book 1 of my #bookaday challenge.