#IMWAYR Jan12, 2015

#IMWAYR is a time for connecting with other bloggers about what's been going on our reading lives in the past week. Even if you don't share, it's always exciting to find out what books other readers are into. Check out Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers, and you may find more than a few books to add to your Goodreads list.

Here's the thing I'm becoming more aware of these days. My reading life, that is, what and how much I read, is predicated on what is going on in the rest of my life. And, these days, I'm nearly overwhelmed by the news that my mother has stage four cancer. My concentration for those heavy tomes just isn't there. I'm even having trouble focusing on those titles I thought would be easy. Anything that has a whisper of sorrow just brings that heavy ache I'm carrying around with me to the front of my consciousness. Yet at the same time, reading is also a haven and a refuge.  

To counter that, I've got to continue by telling you about this brief encounter I had with one of our 7 year old boys last week. Just as I was about to enter the staff washroom he stopped me to proudly proclaim, "Guess what Cheriee? I've just found the perfect, just right books for me in the library. It's those Zac Power books." I tell you, it's these moments that I work for. (I added one book to my want to read list just so I can talk to these little boys about them)

So here is my bookish life from this week.

I've been reading new picture books as I finish processing them and getting them ready to circulate. Here are some excerpts taken from my Goodreads reviews.

3 stars

The Story Starts Here by Caroline Merola

I enjoyed the big, bright and bold illustrations in this book. It's a charming tale with a very contrary little wolf who wants to do everything his way. (I swear his character is based on my eldest child at that age) It's fun, especially how his father teaches him a lesson.

4 stars

Have I Got a Book For You by Mélanie Watt

Melanie Watt creates wonderful picture books, and this is one of them. I laughed out loud as Mr Al Foxwood tries to sell his book to the reader. I enjoyed the gentle poke at advertising within the pages. I think all readers will enjoy it, but older ones and adults will appreciate the humour more.

4 stars

Hi! Koo by Jon J. Muth

At first glance these illustrations are exquisite. Looking closer they reveal an endearing humour. (Check out the snowman's face on the first page of Winter and what happens when you watch too much TV.) I enjoyed reading this collection of seasonal haiku, but there were a few that really wowed me.

I fell in love with this book through the first poem:

Autumn,

are you dreaming

of new clothes?

Connected personally with:

Eating warm cookies

on a cold day

is easy

And was blown away by:

Morning crocuses!

winter is old now

and closes her doors

5 stars

Pardon Me by Daniel Miyares

This book is dark and twisted. I can see that some younger children might appreciate it, but it is definitely a picture book for older readers. Miyares' illustrations are flat out gorgeous. I loved the richness of the colours. I loved the integration of the text with the images. I loved that the pages became darker as the story progresses. I can imagine many rich conversations about how the author creates atmosphere and tension.

5 stars

I did actually manage to finish up a few easy novels. After school one afternoon I sat and read Frankie Pickle and the Mathematical Menace by Eric Wight. I loved this book. I'm so glad I accidently purchased two copies. I'm also glad I bought Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom. I've added the next in the series to my Kidsbooks shopping cart. On Friday, one of the eight year old boys found this in the display case and wanted to check it out right then. After putting a reserve on it, together we read a bit of Alvin Ho: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects, and Other Man-made Catastrophes by Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham. After a few pages we were both smiling. Not only was it funny and sweet, it was the perfect introduction to a longer novel for him. I suspect that fans of Alvin will be fans of Frankie. 

3 stars

 I finally finished listening to Loot by Jude Watson. I have come to the realization that Rick Riordan and I have very different tastes in children's literature. I'm not saying it is a bad book, it's just that I had so many issues with it. 

5 stars

I've also finished As Simple as it Seems by Sarah Weeks. Although the mother daughter relationship in Weeks' novel cut close to the bone, I deeply adored this book. 

The Giver written by Lois Lowry and narrated by Ron Rifkin is my new audiobook. So far I'm lovin it. I've started brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson and all I can say is WOW! 

I'm going to try to get back into my nonfiction reading this week, but I'm making no commitments to anything.