#IMWAYR FEBRUARY 19, 2018

#IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.

I worked as a substitute teacher three days last week. I had forgotten how exhausting it is to just be in a classroom. My praise goes out to all the teachers who do this work day after day with such positive energy. You are all superheros!
My partner and I have retreated to our Oliver home for a bit of rest, relaxation and reading while I recover. 

BOARD BOOKS FOR BABIES

My granddaughter, Ada, is really keeping me on my toes in the reading department these days. If I am elected to calm her down before bedtime, (not an easy task for this little go getter,) I have to hide the books I am planning to read or else she isn't satisfied with the one we have and wants the others instead. Now that she has discovered my hiding place beside my chair she climbs over the chair head first to search for them. It's hard to get through a book because she is fascinated with banging on the cover to make sounds and turning the pages. She also manages to rub her hands on them and make a noise. I have no idea how she does it because I sure can't get the same sound. 

4 stars

Fifteen Animals! by Sandra Boynton

The best part of this book is that from an adult perspective, it is fun to read over and over again. Ada seems to like the rhythm of the poetry and of course that I make the animal sounds. I liked the surprise ending. Maybe if I learn the song in the video below she will be more attentive.

5 stars

Black Bear Red Fox by Julie Flett (Artist)

I am a fan of anything by Julie Flett. There is something about her use of colour that seems to calm my rambunctious granddaughter down when we read them. (well for a few pages anyway) Both the Cree (with a pronunciations guide) and English words are given for the different animals. The background of the page with these words is the colour mentioned. See below how gorgeous it is.

3 stars

Things That Go by Jane Foster

I like this one more than Ada does, but I admit that I am fascinated by all of Jane Foster's illustrations. Even my saying the sounds of the different vehicles in my most exciting voice didn't entertain her much though.

3 stars

Black and White by Jane Foster

I meant to read this one with Everett last week because he is a calmer baby who sits back and takes the world in while Ada just barges into it. I am hoping this is just a phase for her. Please tell me that it is. She did focus for a few pages, but that is about it. Isn't it amazing how powerful their little personalities are at this age?


PICTURE BOOKS

3 stars

My Kite is Stuck! and Other Stories (Duck, Duck, Porcupine!) by Salina Yoon

These three charming stories of three little friends will be wonderful for students who are just becoming readers. Each tale is loaded with humour and sweetness. I only wish there was more expression in the characters faces.

NOVELS

5 stars

La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman and Michael Sheen (Narrator)

Just Wow! This tells the story of two children who rescue and look after the infant Lyra when she is threatened by different groups and individuals. It reminded me of why I fell in love with the Dark Materials trilogy in the first place.
It was such a joy to be back in Philip Pullman's world. Everything is vividly real. All these characters, the main and secondary ones, are richly drawn and compelling. Michael Sheen’s narration is perfection. At the same time as I couldn’t stop listening, I also didn’t want this tale to end.
While this story wrapped up satisfactory, it left me gnashing my teeth that I have to wait for the next one.

3 stars

Fairest of All (Whatever After #1) by Sarah Mlynowski & Emily Eiden (Narrator)

Two siblings, Abby and Jonah, have moved to a new community and Abby is having a hard time adapting. Then they discover an old mirror in the basement and end up accidentally being drawn into the land of Snow White. They disrupt the original story and end up staying until it is fixed.  
I’m wondering why I didn’t like this book as much as I thought I would. I liked the characters and the plot twists. I really appreciated the feminist ending. I suspect my lack of satisfaction has to do with having just finished reading Philip Pullman’s new book and anything that followed would be pale in comparison.

5 stars

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour & Jorjeana Marie (Narrator)

Holy Carumba but this is one mighty fine book! That I wept reveals how emotionally invested I was in Marin, the protagonist.
I started listening to this book while Randy and I were on our way to Oliver. I listen to audiobooks all the time while traveling, but honestly, this time the world outside the story just disappeared. That’s how compelling and all encompassing it is.
The story is loaded with grief and loss, but it’s also layered with love and mystery. It’s impossible not to love these characters as though they are real people.
There is a reason a book wins the Michael Printz award. Read this and you will understand why.


CURRENTLY


I'm between audiobooks right now. I've been reading The Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman just when I am at schools during reading time, but I haven't made much progress. Palestine by Joe Sacco is an emotionally exhausting read that I can only do in small doses.


UP NEXT


Symptoms of Being Human is on my device ready for me to start listening to tomorrow when I head out for a walk, or start my next sewing project. Because of how intense Palestine is, I've renewed This Is Not A Border: Reportage & Reflection From the Palestine Festival of Literature and put it aside for a bit. I may return it to the library unread. I plan to get to Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar for sure this week. I've also just picked up a collection of fabulous picture books that I plan to get to.


PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS


#MustReadIn2018 6/25 1 in process
#MustReadNFIn2018 2/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 2/25
Goodreads Reading Challenge 58/333