#IMWAYR September 24, 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.



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

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

22 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. Both of the indigenous titles are very important. I might have to get Santa Bruce for myself!

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  2. Santa 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.

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    1. I can't imagine there is anyone anywhere who doesn't love Bruce!

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  3. I 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!

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    1. I 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!

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  4. Beautiful 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.

    Another Vanderbeekers? I need it now!

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    1. I completely agree with you about Jacqueline Woodson. The Day Before You Begin is one I might have to purchase for myself too!

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  5. Glad you're reading Front Desk.

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  6. I just requested Santa Bruce from the library. I love all of the Mother Bruce books. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!

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  7. That 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!

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    1. Orange 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.

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  8. I 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!

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  9. I 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!

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  10. Coming 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.

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    1. You are welcome. I love getting ideas for my reading life from your posts too Myra!

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  11. Oh, I love that quilt! Gorgeous colors, bright but not just primary. Love!
    I'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!

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    1. 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!

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