Monday, April 13, 2015

It's Monday! What are you Reading? 4/13/15


It's Monday! What are you reading? was started by Sheila at Book Journey and was adapted for children's books from picture books through YA by Jen of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers. You can visit either site for a round up of blogs sharing their weekly readings and thoughts or search Twitter for #IMWAYR.


Last Week's Posts

  • Stories of Chinese Inventions. This collection of books by two different authors feature fictional stories about the possible stories behind ancient Chinese inventions. 

Picture Books


A Fine Dessert: four centuries, four families, one delicious dessert (2015) by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. This charming new picture books takes a look at history through the lens of a single dessert, blackberry fool, as created and eaten across a 300-year span, from 1710 to 2010. While the text is deceptively simple, the illustrations and end notes by the author and illustrator make this book a starting point for discussing more complex topics like history, slavery, and gender roles.


Jacob's New Dress (2014) by Sarah and Ian Hoffman and illustrated by Chris Case. After being mocked by a classmate for dressing up like a princess during choice time at school, Jacob asks his mom to help him make his own dress. This book does a great job of gently introducing readers to the idea of gender nonconforming children (or "pink boys" in the authors' note).

Middle Fiction


Hat Full of Sky (2004) by Terry Pratchett. I finished rereading the second Tiffany Aching book this week. (The Wee Free Men, reviewed last week, is the first book in the Tiffany Aching sub-series of Discworld books.) Hat Full of Sky picks up the story two years later as Tiffany prepares to leave her home on the Chalk and apprentice herself to another witch. This story adds significantly to the mythology and understanding of witches and their role in this world, as well as continues the levity provided by the Wee Free Men. Another great read!

Thanks for the Discworld and Terry Pratchett-related recommendations. Please do keep them coming!

Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 10 books, 2 dedicated posts

Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 80 books, 23 dedicated posts (Stories of Chinese Inventions)

Happy Reading!

12 comments:

  1. Very true about the illustrations and end notes about A Fine Dessert being a great place to start discussions about difficult topics.

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    1. I would love to use this one next year when our 4th graders do US History.

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  2. I've seen A Fine Dessert reviewed before, but never have had others mention the extra notes added that will expand the use of the book. Thanks, Katie.

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    1. You're welcome, Linda. There's SO much going on in this book, I think it's important that the author and illustrator acknowledged that too, to help draw it out for all readers.

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  3. There is a new Tiffany Aching book, The Shepherd's Crown, to be published in September 2015!!! I jumped up and down and danced around the kitchen when I found out. Whew, now that that is out of the way, I love Jacob's New Dress. I love that it challenges almost all boys about what they think is appropriate for them just because they are boys. It's one of the books I have for my critical literacy unit, but haven't had a chance to use just yet.

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    1. Oh my goodness, yay! I did a happy dance last week when I discovered I Shall Wear Midnight, which was not out when I first read the series. Now I will have to do a happy dance again! (I also have Nation burning a hole in my TBR pile ... )

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  4. A Fine Dessert is one I can't wait to find. I just keep reading more about it that makes it look so interesting. Pleased to hear about these end notes as well.

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    1. I was prepared to be critical and ended up really pleased.

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  5. I really loved Jacob's New Dress. An important book and a sweet one.

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    1. Thanks, Elisabeth. I think it might be my favorite picture books on this topic so far.

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  6. I really love the look of Jacob's New Dress - seems like a perfect addition to my multicultural text-set. The look of A Fine Dessert is lovely too - I am awed by Blackall's art always. My book club will be discussing A Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett this month - will let you know what my experience is like reading it! :)

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    1. I definitely look forward to it! I am enjoying the push to read more of his books, for sure. Jacob's New Dress is a great one for any discussion of diversity or inclusion.

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