Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Book #65 AND the last day of summer break (for teachers)

"Go away!  I'm grumpy!"  As in the book, my reaction to summer ending isn't always a good one.  However, like the book, it only takes one surprise (usually seeing a student's smiling face on that first day) to change it.  To that, I say, "HOORAY FOR SCHOOL!"

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Book #64

It's OK to make a mistake.  You can always adjust and make it something new.  What a positive message for all of us!

Check out the accompanying website, complete with video and read along:  beautifuloops.com.

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Book #63

A perfect book for students to show true comprehension.  How did he catch that star?

How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Book #62

Retelling is a standard students develop and eventually master.  Using wordless picture books is one way for students to retell a story.  Books like this one have so much detail in the illustrations, there is much to retell.

Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Book #61

Another good book example of not judging someone (or some unicorn) until you know him.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Book #60

How small the world is truly amazes me!  Almost every day I make connections with people I have never met.  I love finding something in common with them.  This book is about the small world and  those things in common...

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Book #57

I've been watching a new show called Tiny House Nation.  I am fascinated by the use of the small space, but livable areas.  With building homes on my mind, I read...

Building Our House by Jonathan Bean.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Book #56

There is a long told myth that swallowing a watermelon seed will start a melon growing in your stomach.  This book is about a crocodile who knows the myth AND swallows a seed.

Happy last days of summer.  Enjoy some watermelon, just skip the seeds.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Book #55

Don't give up, even if you first do not succeed or others laugh at you.  Keep on trying!

Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Book #50!

I just watched a special about the 1990s.  I was reminded of the horror of the LA riots.  Very scary times, but this book puts it all into perspective.

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Book #49

So, yesterday was not a good day.  The technology went berserk and I'm still having trouble.  When days aren't so bright, I always think of this book...

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Book #48

Are you afraid of the dark?  This book will show you a side of the dark you have not seen before.  You may find the dark a little less frightening.

The Dark by Lemony Snicket (illustrated by Jon Klassen).

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Book #47

I recently went through family photos with my nieces.  It was fun to tell them stories about the family (and their father) they had never heard.  Most of all, I enjoyed spending time with them.

I Love Saturdays y Domingos
by Alma Flor Ada.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Book #46

I love those special traditions you look forward to each week, especially breakfast at a restaurant...

Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino.    

Book #45

The Whale Who Ate Everything by Dan Devoe.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Book #44

Making supper, cutting potatoes, and thought of this book...

The Enormous Potato retold by Audrey Davis.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Book #42

Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills.

Book #41

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills.

Book #40

This is such a powerful book.  It would challenge students having difficulties being kind to everyone.

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson.

Book #39

Happy 4th of July!  In honor of Independence Day, here's a patriotic school book...

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Book #37

This would be a great mentor text when having students write opposite stories.  Instead of Chicken Little...

Chicken Big by Keith Graves.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Book #36

It was a frog-riding-on-a-flying-lily-pad kind of day!

Check out this book and leave it up to your imagination to tell the story!

Tuesday by David Wiesner.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Book #34

Perfect (and entertaining) book for today's date...

June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Book #30

Enjoying the "Little" trilogy this week...

Little Pig by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Monday, June 23, 2014

Book #28

Amy Krouse Rosenthal Week

This week, I will be reading only books written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to hear her speak.  Amy is very creative and inspiring.  I enjoy the originality in each one of her books.  She has unique ideas, even outside of the writing realm.  Enjoy this week!

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Book #26

Although it's a beautiful, sunny day today, I still enjoyed this book...

Rain by Linda Ashman.

Book #25

Very cute!

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Book #22

Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes created & illustrated by James Dean; story by Eric Litwin.

Check out more Pete the Cat HERE!

Book #21

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes created & illustrated by James Dean; story by Eric Litwin.

Book #20

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons created & illustrated by James Dean; story by Eric Litwin.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Book #19 AND Summer Reading Ideas for Students

Book-a-Day...

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss.

Click here for summer reading suggestions for K-8 students.  Enjoy a summer of books and fun!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Book #18

Yes, I realize I haven't touched this blog for exactly one year.  So, no better time than today to pick up where I left off.  I'm reading a Book-a-Day.  Here I am on book #18...

One by Kathryn Otoshi.