#IMWAYR July 2, 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.



It was a very hard week. We got news of my youngest sister's unexpected death. You can read the poem I wrote for her here.

Thankfully I have these two little monkeys to remind me of the joy in the cycle of life. This photo was taken by my partner to celebrate their first birthdays. 

On Sunday we celebrated Canada Day. This poem by Shane Koyczan reminds us of who we aspire to be.

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

Maude: The Not-So-Noticeable Shrimpton by Lauren Child & Trisha Krauss (Illustrator)

This is delightfully dark and twisted. I’m not going to be reading it to my groups of kindergarten and grade 1, though older groups will probably enjoy it.

5 stars

Naked! by Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi(Illustrator)

This book is full of so much joy and humour! It takes me back to the days when my boys were young and loved to run around without clothes on. I read it by myself and then with my granddaughter. Even she was mesmerized (although I did read it fast and full of expression) I'm now almost caught up on these two artist's work and am waiting for my library to bring in I'm Sad.

The rest of these picture books are from MacCorkindale School Library where I worked weeding this part of their collection last week. 

4 stars

Toad by Ruth Brown

Being a fan of all things frog and toad, I had to read this book. The front cover sucked me and then I was delighted by that gorgeous artwork and the delightful language. I can imagine using this a writing mentor because the text is juicy with descriptive vocabulary. In the end we discover that many of toad’s qualities that make it, “A muddy toad, an mucky toad, a clammy, sticky, gooey toad, odorous, oozing, foul and filthy, and dripping with venomous fluid.” are the qualities that keep it safe!

4 stars

Goodnight World: Animals of the Pacific Northwest by Native Northwest Artists

Beautiful illustrations by different indigenous artists from different West Coast Nations have come together to combine their cultures into this version of the classic goodnight book.

The contents page names the individual artists and their nation. In small print on the opposite page are a few quotes. I leave you with this one.

“Good night world
rest in peace
wake up renewed
embrace the magic that we live in
blessings to all that surrounds us
respect all that is offered
share the spirit within”
From Corrie Bulpitt, Haida

3 stars

The Fabulous Song by Don Gillmor & Marie-Louise Gay

I should know better than to read books I am contemplating weeding. It’s just the cover drew me in and then I had to keep reading. It’s the story of a homely baby named after Frederic Chopin. Although his parents try to get him to play some kind of musical instrument, Frederic seems to be a failure. In the end it’s quite remarkable what he accomplishes.

4 stars

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest & P.J. Lynch (illustrator)

I almost weeded this book and then I stopped to read it. It isn’t a picture book for younger readers but the illustrations are stunning and the story of immigration is a very important one.

CHAPTER BOOKS

4 stars

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1)by Asia Citro & Marion Lindsay (Illustrator)

This is the first in a delightful series about a young girl who follows in her mother's footsteps by treating magical animals who are ill. Although there is a magical component, Zoey uses the scientific method to figure out what might be wrong and how to help them. This combination is integrated into solid story telling that I am sure will entertain many young readers!
I'm not sure I would have picked this up, but it was recommended to me by my niece who told me it was her five year old daughter's favourite. I'm sure glad of the push. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

NOVELS

4 stars

Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz & Renée Watson

I would have read this in one sitting except that I had to stop and eat supper. The young Betty Shabazz, who became an activist in her own right, ended up marrying Malcolm X. While this is a fictionalized account of her life, it is predicated on real people and events. The end is filled with pages of additional information.
As a reader not only was I introduced to this amazing woman, I learned much about the culture of black communities at the time.

4 stars

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

So far I am loving everything Alan Gratz writes. This delightful MG novel features quiet, hard core reader, Amy Anne, who ends up becoming an activist when her favourite books are banned from her school library. I especially loved the surprising way AA and her friends worked together to solve their problem!

CURRENTLY

I didn't make much progress on Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate because I had no capacity to focus and it's a heavy topic on top of everything else. I've started The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg and Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chiaverini.

UP NEXT

I'll pick up the 13 books waiting for me at the library on Tuesday and will see what is in the pile that appeals to me first. The Sweet Spot by Stacy Barnett Mozer is one of them. I'm excited that the library finally has it so I think I will start with that.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 17/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 5/12 1 in progress

#BigBookSummer 1/4 1 in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 10/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 225/333