#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.
Last week was a productive one. I got a
number of book reviews posted, finished a baby quilt, got some knitting done,
and am almost finished my son's birthday shirts. I found time to catch up
on my picture book reading and today I made a birthday cake for my son's birthday tomorrow.
Of course, the house is kind of a nightmare...
Here's the baby quilt I finished!
BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK
PICTURE BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
I sat in the bookstore and laughed out
loud numerous times while reading this book. Poor Bruce has ended up playing
Santa whether he likes it or not!
 |
| 5 stars |
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
& Rafael López (Illustrator)
OMG!
This book, with its lyrical prose and
bright colourful illustrations, is just stunning.
It filled me with all the feelings - shivers, awe, joy and tears. These lines nearly did me in.
“And all at once, in the room where no one
else is quite like you, the world opens itself up a little wider to make some
space for you.”
 |
| 4 stars |
Bear and Bee by Sergio Ruzzier
I’m now officially a hard core Sergio
Ruzzier fan. This is just hilarious and darling. What a spectacular
introduction to the unlikely friendship of two different characters.
 |
| 3 stars |
Bear and Bee Too Busy by Sergio Ruzzier
Here’s a universal truth about friendship,
“Having fun is not as fun without you.”
Bear and Bee have to figure out how to
find time to be together in a way they will both enjoy. Of course they come up
with a solution.
 |
| 4 stars |
Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson
(Goodreads Author), E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)
As beautifully written as it is
illustrated, this captures a fragment of history. A young black girl waits at
home with her Grandmother while her mother works in Chicago during the war.
There is love and sweetness aplenty here as a kitten arrives to bring her
comfort during these difficult times.
 |
| 4 stars |
Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate
& Jennifer Black Reinhardt (illustrator)
I’ve read this three times and like it
more with each reading. Katherine Applegate’s poem is enhanced by Jennifer
Black Reinhardt’s gorgeous art. I can see why it will be recommended as a gift
for graduates.
 |
| 5 stars |
All Families Are Special by Norma Simon,
Kathy Tucker (Editor) & Teresa Flavin
A group of children share about the
details of their diverse families. They discover differences and similarities.
NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
Go Show the World: A Celebration of
Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew & Joe Morse (Illustrations)
This beautifully illustrated book honours
remarkable indigenous people from Canada and the United States. This sampling
includes both historical as well as modern individuals.
The rhyming text didn’t quite work for me,
but I love the refrain, “You’re a person who matters. Yes, it’s true. Now go
show the world what a person who matters can do.”
The backmatter includes a note by the
author as well as short biographies of the highlighted heroes.
 |
| 5 stars |
Africville by Shauntay Grant
A young girl visits the space where
Africville, a thriving black communitiy in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was destroyed
by city officials in 1960. She imagines what it was like before, and then emerges out of this day dream to see her grandmother's name carved into a sundial.
Shauntay Grant's paintings are absolutely stunning in this beautiful homage to a lost community. If the cover hasn't already impressed you, check this image
out.
 |
| 4 stars |
That's Not Hockey! by Andrée Poulin
& Felix Girard (Illustrator) (Netgalley)
Canadians are known for their love of
hockey so I'm pretty sure this will be a popular book in libraries and homes in
this country. Everyone around our house knew it was Jacques Plante who first
wore hockey masks. This in spite of the fact that people in our house seem
crazier about football.
The book tells the story of this famous
goalie. He was obsessed with hockey from the time he was barely able to talk
and was a talented goalie from his early years. When he was a professional
player, Jacques Plante came up with a special mask to protect his face from the
hockey pucks that were always flying at him. They caused serious damage! At
first he faced a lot of resistance, but he was such a valuable player that he
ended up getting his way in the end. Nowadays all goalies wear face protection
because of him.
Felix Girard's illustrations make this
nonfiction picture book an absolute delight to read.
 |
| 5 stars |
The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
& Brock Nicol (Illustrator)
Saturday I went to Kidsbooks in Vancouver
to purchase this book and get it signed by the author. I was so moved I sat
down and wrote a blog post about it. Next Sunday, September 30, is Orange
Shirt Day - the day we honour residential school survivors and their family.
You can find out more about it by reading my post or finding a copy of the
book.
NOVELS
 |
| 4 stars |
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by
Karina Yan Glaser
I am smitten with this lovely family
growing up in Harlem. They are up there with other fictional families I adore.
ADULT NONFICTION
 |
| 4 stars |
Word by Word by Kory Stomper
This is an irreverently reverent look
inside the world of writing a dictionary. Kory Stamper makes what at first
glance seems to be drudgery, into an exciting and tense profession.
Her writing is exquisite.
CURRENTLY
I'm listening to The Story of a New Name
by Elena Ferrante. I'm reading Front Desk by by Kelly Yang.
UP NEXT
I hope to get to The Nowhere Girls by Amy
Reed and start on She Loves You Yeah, Yeah, Yeah by Ann Hood. I plan to listen to The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny.
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2018 21/25
#MustReadNFIn2018 6/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 19/25
Goodreads Reading Challenge 323/333
A lot of really great reads! I need to get to The Orange Shirt Story and Go Show the World. Santa Bruce will be something my patrons really need as well! Have a great week, thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBoth of the indigenous titles are very important. I might have to get Santa Bruce for myself!
DeleteSanta Bruce is in the pile of books I picked up from the library at the end of last week. I love Bruce's character. I haven't gotten to the second Vanderbeekers yet, but it sounds as good as the first.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine there is anyone anywhere who doesn't love Bruce!
DeleteI have bookmarked especially the books like Africville, but am unsure my library will ever have them. Sometimes they do. I almost bought Word by Word last week, saw it at my local Indie. It's on my list, too. That baby quilt is gorgeous, Cheriee. Have fun with the birthday celebrations, too!
ReplyDeleteI do hope your library will get Africville, but it is a Canadian title about a Canadian place so I'm not sure if it will resonate in the US. Word by Word was just absolutely delightful!
DeleteBeautiful quilt! I love seeing your finished products. Jackie Woodson's picture books are just amazing. I can't wait to add Coming on Home Soon to my collection. EB Lewis does an incredible job making her words come alive. I will have to find The Day Before You Begin as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother Vanderbeekers? I need it now!
I completely agree with you about Jacqueline Woodson. The Day Before You Begin is one I might have to purchase for myself too!
DeleteGlad you're reading Front Desk.
ReplyDeleteI just need to get it finished!
DeleteI just requested Santa Bruce from the library. I love all of the Mother Bruce books. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYou will love it!
DeleteThat baby quilt is so beautiful, Cheriee! I hope we get a copy of The Day Before You Begin soon. Africville looks beautiful -- thank you for sharing an image from inside, too. I'm adding it to my list right now. And how have I never heard about orange shirt day?! Wow, thanks for sharing that. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteOrange Shirt Day began here in British Columbia and I'm not even sure it is a federal event here in Canada, so it's no surprise if you haven't heard of it yet.
DeleteI love the Vanderbeekers too and can't wait for the third book! Still have to read Santa Bruce. All of the Bruce books are a favorite with students. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading the first one!
DeleteI just read The Day You Begin to a crowd of teachers at a conference. It was the intro to my presentation about immigration! I love, love, love that book. I am glad you loved it, too!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds just amazing Ricki. I adore that book!
DeleteComing On Home Soon is an absolute fave - and I am so looking forward to finding The Day You Begin and Sometimes You Fly. Word by Word sounds exactly like the kind of book I will enjoy. Thanks for sharing so many treasures this week.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I love getting ideas for my reading life from your posts too Myra!
DeleteOh, I love that quilt! Gorgeous colors, bright but not just primary. Love!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you enjoyed Santa Bruce. I need to order that one. We are wrapping up a Ryan T. Higgins run and I told the kids I would get that one soon.
One of these days I'll read the Vanderbeekers. I've always heard wonderful things!
Thanks for the quilt appreciation. I do my best to avoid any kind of gendering in the quilts I make and I like bright and colourful myself!
Delete