SOMETHING FROM NOTHING by Damian Synadinos – Informational PB Review

Hank and Stella in Something from Nothing by Damian Synadinos At a Glance Genre(s): Informational picture book Age Range: ages 5-10, but can be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in improv Plot: “Hank and Stella in Something from Nothing” is an engaging story with cute characters that introduces children to improv principles and skills that are as useful on stage as they are at play and in life” (source). The story follows two stuffed animals as they make a boring rainy day more fun by learning about imrov. Strengths: makes improv easy to understand for young children illustrations are … Continue reading SOMETHING FROM NOTHING by Damian Synadinos – Informational PB Review

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 6/11/18

The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Ocasionally, I’ll also talk about some adult fiction books as well. Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles. ____________________ Picture Book Maurice the Unbeastly written by Amy Dixon illustrated by Karl James Mountford Sterling Children’s Books, 2017 I absolutely love this picture book. It is funny and heartfelt and just great. Both of my kids sat through multiple readings. Mountford’s … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 6/11/18

EVANGELINE OF THE BAYOU by Jan Eldredge – Middle Grade Book Review

Evangeline of the Bayou by Jan Eldredge illustrated by Joseph Kuefler Balzar + Bray, 2018 At a Glance Genre(s): supernatural, folklore, horror Age Range: 8-12 years old (middle grade) Plot: “Twelve-year-old haunt huntress apprentice Evangeline Clement spends her days and nights studying the ways of folk magic, honing her monster-hunting skills while pursuing local bayou banshees and Johnny revenants.” “But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a secret that will shake her to the soles of her silver-tipped alligator-skin boots.” (source) Strengths: excellent overall storytelling the mix of folklore … Continue reading EVANGELINE OF THE BAYOU by Jan Eldredge – Middle Grade Book Review

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – Book Giveaway!

The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Ocasionally, I’ll also talk about some adult fiction books as well. Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles. ____________________ Happy Monday everyone! I am giving away a copy of Chris Harris’ I’m Just No Good at Rhyming. Click here to enter! Today is a post of recent books that I have absolutely loved. Have you read any of them? Poetry … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – Book Giveaway!

Poetry Friday – Poetry Book Giveaway!

It’s Friday! And you know what that means: Poetry! Want to know more about Poetry Friday? Click this link right here. I am hosting the round up today, so be sure to check out the links at the end to see this week’s round up of wonderful poetry related posts, blogs and goodness. ________________________________________ Hello and Happy Friday! I am super excited to be hosting the Poetry Round Up today. I cannot wait to see everyone’s contributions this week. To celebrate, I have decided to do a book giveaway. Be sure to read to the end to find out how to win … Continue reading Poetry Friday – Poetry Book Giveaway!

TUMBLE AND BLUE by Cassie Beasley – Middle Grade Book Review

Tumble and Blue by Cassie Beasley (Dial Books, August 2017) At a Glance Genre(s): Magical Realism, Adventure Age Range: Middle Grade Plot: “When the red moon rises over the heart of the Okefenokee swamp, legend says that the mysterious golden gator Munch will grant good luck to the poor soul foolish enough to face him. But in 1817, when TWO fools reach him at the same time, the night’s fate is split. With disastrous consequences for both . . . and their descendants. Half of the descendants have great fates, and the other half have terrible ones. Now, Tumble Wilson … Continue reading TUMBLE AND BLUE by Cassie Beasley – Middle Grade Book Review

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/19/2018

#IMWAYR The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Ocasionally, I’ll also talk about some adult fiction books as well. Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other Kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR piles. ____________________ Picture Books They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel This is an extremely clever and accessible way to teach children about different perspectives. And it is just all around fun. Definitely worth checking out! Every Day Birds written by … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/19/2018

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 3/12/18

#IMWAYR The weekly post where I recap all the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Occasionally, I’ll also review some adult fiction books as well.   Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR pile.                                          Madness! Poetry is going on right now. If you’re looking for a way to get more poetry into the classroom, check this awesome competition out. Picture … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 3/12/18

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 3/5/2018

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? The weekly post where I recap some of the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Occasionally, I’ll also review some adult fiction books as well. Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR pile.                                          Mouse written and illustrated by Zebo Ludvicek This is a delightful book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the story is … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 3/5/2018

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 2/12/18

#IMWAYR The weekly post where I recap all the KidLit books I’ve been reading. Occasionally, I’ll also review some adult fiction books as well. Be sure to check out Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to see what other kidlit readers are reading. Because, you know, we can never have too many books in our TBR pile.                                          The Cybils round 2 judging has been taking up a lot of my book-reading attention lately–and I’m loving it. I am so excited for the winners to … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 2/12/18