Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion: A True Story, by Dave Eggers & illustrated by Júlia Sardà
My thoughts: This is an absolutely hilarious story. This is an absolutely real story about a real silver mine, a really big house, a house that was moved, really. And it all happened in a really real place in Idaho. I love this story and the method it is written in makes it a "got to be read aloud" book.
I just love the illustrations, too. They are spot-on quirky and the neutral tones with a bit of red make them even more charming. I recommend!
About the book: Author Dave Eggers and artist Júlia Sardà spin a quirky historical event into a whimsical and tall-ish true tale of American ingenuity.
Make way for history as only Dave Eggers could stage it. It all started when John “Minnie” Moore built a mine in Idaho and sold it to Englishman Henry Miller. Then Henry married a local lass named Annie and built her a mansion, hence the “Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion.” After Henry died and Annie was hoodwinked—losing all but the mansion—she and her son took to raising pigs in the yard, as some are wont to do. But the town wanted those pigs out. Who could have guessed that Annie and her crew would remove the whole mansion instead—rolling it away slowly on logs—while she and her son were still living in it? Narrated with metafictional flair, this delightfully illustrated picture book is proof positive that nonfiction can be as lively and artful as any storybook.
Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories by Jarvis
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| Read a sample |
My thoughts: Cute. The illustrations are more in line with a younger child's picture book, but this is an early reader type book. Ages 6 to 8 will enjoy having it read to them. The vocabulary would be difficult than their mastery level. Book consists of four stories.
Bear didn’t really like the painting. I mean, look at it.But he liked Bird a lot, and it would remind him of her . . .
Bear and Bird are best friends, and they spend a lot of time together. They don’t always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is for their friend to be happy. So when Bear forgets the most important thing to pack for a picnic (but pretends that he didn’t), Bird doesn’t let on that she knew all along. And when Bird is upset to discover her friend has more of a certain talent than she does, Bear finds a touching way to make her feel better. Whether it’s the tale of a missing Bird and a “talking” flower that has Bear bewildered or that of a blanket whose irresistible coziness inspires a comic misunderstanding, Jarvis’s well-honed timing combines with gentle humor and genuine affection that will have readers eager for more.
Shermy and Shake, the Not So Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson & illustrated by Shinji Fujioka
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| Listen to audio sample |
My thoughts: Love this story of young boy friendship. Super cute illustrations and story line.
About the book: Will summer break be a drag or a blast for meticulous Shermy when rambunctious Shake moves in next door? From Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson comes a bighearted chapter book about two boys’ friendship.
When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermy likes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. He collects treasures in the pouch he wears around his neck, and the books on his shelves are alphabetized by author. Shake likes to play street hockey or space explorers. He gobbles up rocket ice pops and Toaster Tarts. He shows up unannounced and plays board games by his own rules. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home? Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson teams up with debut illustrator Shinji Fujioka to create a humorous and heartfelt ode to summer—and to unexpected friendships.
Book Buddies: Dazzle Makes a Wish by Cynthia Lord & illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
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| Listen to audio sample |
My thoughts: Absolutely adorable. Chapter books of appropriate story line, language, and comprehension that are entertainingly engageable are treasures to be sought. I believe the Book Buddies stories fit this and that they will bring joy to young readers.
Written with the grade 1 to 4 child in mind, they are illustrated with pencil drawings which are soft, cute, and interesting. I think children will totally enjoy holding and reading these sweet books.
This #3 in the book buddies series promises to be another winner. Dazzle (stuffed unicorn with sparkly tail) is amongst the library toys and this is his story.
About the book: Will lonely Maya’s wish for a friend come true when she borrows Dazzle, a toy unicorn, from the library? What about Dazzle’s wish for a place to belong? The heartwarming series continues with a third adventure.
Dazzle is a snow-white unicorn with a twisty horn, a sparkly pink tail, and a tag that says unicorns can grant wishes. He isn’t sure whether he can make a wish for himself, but he does so anyway, hoping for a child and a home of his own. Instead, Dazzle gets sold at a yard sale and becomes one of the Book Buddies, friendly toys that children can check out of the library just like books. Meanwhile, Maya has just moved to town and decides to borrow Dazzle, hoping he can grant her a wish for a new friend. But when a girl named Isabelle comes over for a playdate that doesn’t go as well as Maya had expected, she’s worried that they won’t become friends after all. Maybe Dazzle and Maya can help each other make their wishes come true? With a gentle tale of empathy and growth, Newbery Honor winner Cynthia Lord and celebrated artist Stephanie Graegin offer another endearing story in the Book Buddies series. Secret word: Solar
Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett
My thoughts: An unusual book. No story. No consistent thought process (aka.... counting, rhyming, letters, story theme, colors). Just questions. How to use? That's the question to be asked. Perhaps when sitting with a child and trying to engage them to think outside of the box. Think of answers. Think of what might be there.
About the book: Award-winning creators Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson tap deep into childhood curiosity with a mind-tickling ode to the open-ended.
Not all questions have answers. Some have more than one answer. And others have endless answers, unfolding out to the edges of the world. In this spare yet expansive narrative, acclaimed author Mac Barnett poses twenty questions both playful and profound. Some make us giggle. Others challenge our assumptions. The result is a quirky, wandering exploration of where the best questions lead—to stories. Intriguing, richly interactive, and brought to vivid life by Caldecott Honor recipient Christian Robinson’s bright and whimsical illustrations, Twenty Questions is a charming invitation to speculate without limits and know no bounds.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of each book to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
How do you assure your children read during the summer and maintain their reading level or improve their reading level? NO KIDS so I don't
ReplyDeleteI know the my niece always has reading time before bed. And some time at other times. I have noticed when Zay spends the day with me she is interest in office products. Tablets, pads, pens etc. so she likes to read & write. And when we are are the store I will get her to read or try to read off ob boxes etc............
You can be sure your children read during the summer and maintain or improve their reading level by providing a large variety of new and interesting reading material. Participate in the summer reading program at the library, visit the library weekly, read to your children, read with your children, and read beside your children as you all read silently together. Make daily and nightly reading the norm!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
My grandchildren like to read before bedtime. It's a great way to wind down for the day and it ensures that they keep up with their reading over the summer months.
ReplyDeleteWe go to the library every week and check out new books tailored to my son's interests. He loves going to the library and doing the activities and reading books.
ReplyDeleteWe try to have quiet time everyday to do a little bit of reading.
ReplyDeleteMy children always loved books and reading. We made time each day for sitting, relaxing and reading and visited our library often. twinkle at optonline dot net
ReplyDeleteSetting aside time during the day to read and we especially love to read to each other and take turns doing so! I also find that it helps to find activities relating to the book that can be done to keep everyone more engaged and motivated!
ReplyDeleteI am adding to my first answer............ The other day zay was here and I had some new books for her. She laid down on the floor and was trying to read it. She finally got up and brought to me so I could help her with big words.................. How do you assure your children read during the summer and maintain their reading level or improve their reading level? NO KIDS so I don't
ReplyDeleteI know the my niece always has reading time before bed. And some time at other times. I have noticed when Zay spends the day with me she is interest in office products. Tablets, pads, pens etc. so she likes to read & write. And when we are are the store I will get her to read or try to read off ob boxes etc..........
Make sure your children have books that are accessible to them at all times. If you have special or fragile books that you read together, those can go on a high shelf. 99% of your books should be available to your children at all times. I had large floor baskets filled with books. Practice turning pages carefully, teach book care, and make sure the books match your children's interests and current abilities.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Super good to place the books in ways that they are accessible to children and teach book care. Thanks for visiting and sharing your wisdom.
DeleteAs an exhausted single, working mom sometimes you have to be creative. You have them read to you or each other. Bed time was used for unloading & reassuring, so when they shut their eyes they had some peace.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Nancy P. Thank you for visiting here and sharing your wisdom.
DeleteMy daughter loved books and reading. I would tell her she could stay up 1/2 hour more if she wanted to read.
ReplyDeleteMy son has a 60 minute mandatory reading that he must do. Until he does it, he can not play video games.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you put them on a regular reading schedule. Consistency is key.
ReplyDelete