Daredevil Duck Book Tour

I recently received the cutest picture book to review. When Cassie from Running Press asked if I was interested, of course I said yes! I love reading picture books.  I will admit to  hanging out at Barnes and Noble just to check out the new books to add to my wish list for the library. I was a little worried as I hadn't heard of Charlie Alder. After a little research I discovered she is an English illustrator. Daredevil Duck is her firstsolo book to author and illustrate.  Like Daredevil Duck I has a little afraid in the beginning.

Fear not! If you have a preschooler or a kindergarten, they will love this one. In a nut shell - Daredevil Duck dreams he is the bravest duck in the whole world. In reality he might be described as the biggest scaredy cat in the whole world. (Bless his heart, he's just like a kindergartener those first few days of school. They act real brave but really the big kids down the hall terrify them.) Love that he overcame his fears to help a friend. Everything about school/life is less scary with a good friend. The books flaps are the only drawback I have for this one.  I will have to be really careful with this one. Maybe use this one when I'm discussing book care at the beginning of the year.... Will keep tabs on Ms. Alder for future books. Talented new author!

Follow the book tour for chances to win a copy of Daredevil Duck! If you are interested in winning a copy, enter the following rafflecopter by May 17th. Contest open to US residents only.


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DAREDEVIL DUCK

By Charlie Alder  

Blog Tour Schedule

5/4 Wife Hat, Mom Hat

5/5 Geo Librarian

5/6 In The Pages

5/7 Stacking Books

5/9 Bea’s Book Nook

5/10 ReaderKidz

5/11 Coffee for the Brain

5/12 The Picture Book Review

5/13 Mrs. Brown Loves Bookworms

5/14 Mom Read It

5/15 Unpacking the POWER of Picture Books

5/16 Cheryl Rainfield

5/17 Unleashing Readers

I like reviewing books I can use with my students. This one is definitely going in the stack for next years Kindergarteners. I did receive a free copy of the book for my honest review.

Keep Reading!

#IMWAYR July 21st

Once again it's time for "It's Monday - What are You Reading?" Check out other reads with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Rickie & Kellie at Unleashing Readers.

This past week I caught up on some newer picture books. I love going by Barnes and Noble or any other bookstore and preview picture books. I did find a few I want for the library. Found a couple I'm not purchasing.... WARNING!!! There are several. I was waiting out a rain shower/storm.

Hits:

Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hill I love Duck and Goose. If you haven't read any of Tad Hill's books you are missing out. They are perfect for the little guys. In this one Goose follows Duck on an adventure to the beach. Once at the beach Goose has to convince Duck to enjoy the adventure. 5 Stars

Pardon Me! by Dianel Miyares What happens when a little bird keeps complaining while others share his perch? Would be cute to pair up with Little Big Mouth Frog.

Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter Would be a great read aloud! You know the kids are going to want to push the button...

No Dogs Allowed! by Linda Ashman and Kristin Sorra Cute nearly wordless picture book about the opening of Alberto's restaurant.

Ninja! by Arree Chung  Cute Cute Cute  I could see several of my students acting out this story. Even my teenagers boys wanted to be ninjas when they were little.

Pigs Make Me Sneeze by Mo Willems  Gerald starts to sneeze whenever Piggie is near. He's convinced he's allergic to Piggie. I just adore Mo Willems.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce Follows Morris's life jouney of loving books. Somehow I missed the short film.

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen Another great hat story. Great illustrations.

This is a Moose by Richard T Morris and Tom Lichtenheld   The director gets upset when Moose doesn't act Moose-like.

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and Steve Jenkins I'm going to have to get this one for my science collection. Loved looking/reading about the different birds' nests. With Steve Jenkins it's usually a hit.

Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood Story of a little boy who is sad about moving but realizes the new house is better.

Part-time Princess by Deborah Underwood When the little girl sleeps at night, she dreams about being a princess and all kinds of adventures. Cute. I've got to get this one for my girls who want another princess story.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won Liked this one slightly better than This is Not My Hat. The elephant finds a hat and discovers he can cheer up his friends by sharing.

Neutrals: (Didn't dislike them, just wasn't moved by them....The kids will enjoy them.)

Hopper and Wilson Fetch a Star by Maria van Lieshout
Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall  The two pets compete for top spot.
The Dark by Lemony Snicket Laszlo must overcome his fear of the dark.

The Girl Who Wouldn't Brush Her Hair by Kate Bernheimer When the little girl refuses to brush her hair a mouse moves in.... I was grossed out right there. Hate Strongly dislike rodents. The kids would enjoy this one. Great for teaching the importance of good hygiene.

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos Cute just not my favorite. Maybe it will grow on me....The book not a mustache.

Misses:

What does the Fox Say? by Ylvis, Christian Lochster, and Sevin Nyhus
It was better as YouTube video... Unless you're a huge fan, save your money and get a great book instead.

As you can see, I found several to add to the library's wishlist. If only BTSB had a buy one get one free...Hopefully I'll have a great fall book fair.

Keep Reading! Have to finish Champion by Marie Lu...

#IMWAYR June 16

 I found a little time to read during my third week of summer vacation.  Here's my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Link up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellie and Rickie at Unleashing Readers.



Do Unto Otters: A book about Manners by Laurie Keller

If you teach lower grades, you will love this one! Perfect for K-2 students. Rabbit gets new neighbors and learns what Do unto Otters means. Hilarious!  Discusses everything from being friendly, honest, saying excuse me and thank you. You get the idea. LOVE THIS ONE. I'm not sure which of my book buddies recommended this one but - THANK YOU!!! Homerun.

The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon

I would have purchased this one just because of the author. Once again Ms. Lyons has written a delightful story. Ginny sees everything in doubles but doesn't know everyone doesn't see that way. Finally she gets her eyes checked and it's discovered she has double vision. Recommend this one!

Other Picture Book reads included:
Ride, Fly Guy Ride! by Tedd Arnold
There's a Fly Guy in my Soup by Tedd Arnold
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and James Dean
Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly and James Dean
Silverlicious by Victoria Kann
Purplicious by Victoria Kann
Pinkalicious: Flower Girl by Victoria Kann
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies

Also managed to read a few short chapter books.

Whatever After series by Sarah Mlynowski

So far I've managed to read the first 5 books in this new series. Basically Abby and her younger brother move into a new house with a magic mirror in the basement. The mirror transports the two youngsters to various fairy tales where they must "fix or change the ending of  the story". I think my middle grade (3-5) girls will like these.

Also finished Stink: Solar System Superhero by Megan McDonald
Stink: Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown by Megan McDonald
Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett Krosoczka

Keep Reading! Only 7 more weeks of summer vacation. I shouldn't have looked!

#IMWAYR June 9th

Week 2 of summer vacation has passed. I found a little time to read. Here's my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Link up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellie and Rickie at Unleashing Readers.

 Scarlet  and Cress by Marissa Meyer

 

 

Scarlet is book two of the Lunar Chronicles. The first book Cinder set the stage for the introduction of Scarlet and Wolf. So far I've not been overly enthrawded with 2nd books in a trilogy. Loved this one! Cress was equally addicting. I started reading on evening about 11 thinking "I'll read a couple chapters before I go to sleep." Oh no, I finished the book about 3 AM! I couldn't set it down. Now I've go to wait till next spring to read Winter. On to the next series.... (AR reading levels of 5.8 and 6.0)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I thought Book 2 of the Divergent series was a little slow, and honestly started to get bored with Book 3, Allegiant. After a few chapters the action quickly picks up. The last third was hands down better than the first third. The ending totally got me. Maybe I should have seen it coming, but that's what I get for reading at the doctor's office. (My 15 year old  has been really sick... was finally diagnosed with mono.) Recommend this one for the uppers. I don't think my 5th graders are emotionally ready for this one.  (AR reading level 5.7)

Babymouse: Monster Mash by Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm

I just don't like Babymouse. My students love her. They will appreciate it a lot more than I did. Doesn't help that I read it after Allegiant. This one will be a big hit with the lower grades.  (AR reading level of 1.9)

Geronimo Stilton: I'm Not Supermouse! by Geronimo Stilton

My third grades really enjoy this series. This makes about the 3 book in the series that I have read. Don't know if I'll read another one. I liked the Magic Tree House or Nate the Great books better. (AR reading level of 3.8)

Keep Reading!!!

#IMWAYR May 26th

It's Monday and time to link to "It's Monday! What Are You Reading? sponsored by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. 





Other than the two hours I still need to work sometime tomorrow, my school year is finished. I'll need to go in and print grade cards for 3-8th grades. I was waiting on the TCAP quick scores. In Tennessee we are required by law to average the state test score into the student's second semester average. As the school's techie, one of my jobs is to run the report cards.. Hopefully I can do that first thing in the morning.

I was excited to start my summer reading this past weekend. Finished 5! Ok some of them were really short.

Finished Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Some of Tris's decisions in book two of the Divergent series bothered me. Seemed like every character was full of secrets. Was definitely engaging. Couldn't put it down! My upper grade students will love it.

For my lower grade students, I finished:

Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt by Megan McDonald

 

I have several Judy Moody books in my stack for the summer. This one was a quick read. Perfect for my 2-4 graders. The Moody family takes a vacation to Ocracoke Island, NC. While they are there, they go on a treasure hunt and learn a little about NC's famous pirate history.

Dragonbreath: Nightmare of the Iguana by Ursula Vernon

Danny has to solve the problem of Wendell's nightmare. I just started picking up the Dragonbreath books last fall. I didn't think I would like them, but they are surprising good! Due to the vocabulary my second graders would struggle with these. I'm going to recommend these for my middle grade students (3rd-6th).

I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems

What can I say? I laughed myself silly. The expressions on Piggie's face are priceless. Gerald's recount of the broken truck sounds just like a story my Kindergarteners would tell! PERFECT!!!  Mo Willems is a genius. My lower grade students will love this one. I might have to do an author study on him with my Kindergarteners.


Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold

I love Fly Guy and so do my students. Buzz and his parents take a trip and of course Fly Guy has to save the day. A great story for my K-2 students.

Hopefully I can get grade cards finished in the morning and free up my afternoons for reading. What a way to spend my summer!

Keep Reading!!!

#IMWAYR May 19th

Yes, It's Monday. Time to link to "It's Monday! What Are You Reading? sponsored by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. 

No I didn't fall off the end of the Earth, just covered up with life.... (state testing, spring break/spring cleaning, the baseball season that felt like the never-ending story.) Yes, I have been reading. During the past month, I read my all the Easy books in T, U, and V. There were only about 65 of them, didn't take long. Standouts included:


Mississippi Morning by Ruth Vander Zee

In case you don't have this one, a young boy in rural Mississippi learns of his father's connection to the KKK. Powerful Read!

Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic

Cute story about a duck making soup and his friends are afraid he's in the soup.

The Red Blanket by Eliza Thomas

A mother recalls of the arrival of her new baby from China.

The War Between the Vowels and the Consonants by Priscilla Turner

Great little read about relationships. Could be used for a friendship lesson.

A Isn't for Fox - An Isn't Alphabet by Wendy Ulmer

Laura Knorr does an excellent job with the illustrations in this one. Loved the rhyme and rhythm.

As for chapter reads, I did manage to finish The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Somehow I missed reading this Newberry Honor book. Definitely not your average princess/fairy tale. Mira, along with all the other girls in her village, are forced to attend the princess academy. There one will be chosen as the young prince's new bride. Loved the surprise ending.

My last day of school is Friday. I'm so behind on reading for the last month. The first thing I'm going to do (after laundry!) is curl up on the porch on work on my stack of books. I didn't make the reading challenge of 300 books for the school year. April craziness took care of that. Now it's on to summer. I'm just curious to see how many I can read!!!

Keep Reading! I plan to start again Saturday! Hello, summer!

#IMWAYR March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day. It's Monday and I'm linking up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. What are you reading?

This past week I only read picture books. Did not have the time for a serious chapter book.

Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Very sweet story about Eddie Lee who has Downs Syndrome.

Pinky and Rex and the Bully by James Howe, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
I have several Pinky and Rex stories. They are cute little Leveled Readers. Great beginning chapter books for my 1st or 2nd graders. I don't know how I skipped this one. In this book Pinky deals with a 3rd grade bully. Pinky finally gets stands up to him and everything turns out alright.

Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple illustrated by Brooke Dyer.
Cute little lullaby about different animals hibernating.

All for Me and None for All  by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
This same talented team are responsible for the Tacky the Penguin books. This adorable story is all about Gruntly the Hog who well is a hog. Great little story about greed.

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter by Diane Stanley
A very cute twist to the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. In this tale the daughter of Rumpelstiltskin outwits the greedy king.

The Tuskegee Airmen Story by Lynn Homan and Thomas Reilly illustrated by Rosalie Shepherd
Great story about the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in WWII. Beautifully done.

Lili at Ballet by Rachel Isadora
Cute picture book about a little girl learning to be a ballerina. Has cute graphics describing the various positions, equipment and roles in ballet.

Marimba! Animales from A to Z by Pat Mora, illustrated by Doug Cushman
A very different ABC book about the animals in the zoo dancing while the monkey plays the marimba.

Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Cute story proving you are never too old to learn how to read.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes
A cute little story about a young girl's dreams of her own garden. My favorite - planting jelly beans and growing a jelly bean tree.

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
I forgot I had purchased this one. Would be perfect for my kinders.

"Let's Get a Pup! said Kate by Bob Graham
Kate needs a pet so the family heads to the animal rescue center to pick one out. While they are there they find two dogs that are just what the family needs. Cute

What Did You Do Today? (The first day of school) by Toby Forward, illustrated by Carol Thompson
In this delightful tale a little boy experiences his first day of school while mom goes to work.

Happy Reading!!! I've got to go pick out some more books to experience.