So many books.....

It's a good thing I just love to read. I've got a huge list for this week. Fortunately most of them are picture books. I've got Bible School this week, so reading time is going to be at a minimum. I also really need have to weed a couple flower beds.

Standouts from last week:

I just loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

It was TERRIFIC. When I first picked this one up, I thought I kids won't read this one. It's so long..... WRONG. It's half illustrations, but the story line is so engaging my students won't be able to put this one down. It didn't take long to see why this one was Caldecott worthy. In case you somehow missed this one, (I almost did) it's about an orphaned boy who takes care of the clocks in the train station in Paris. Well sort of. He's also a sneak thief who has several big secrets. If he wants to find out what message his father has left for him, he must repair a automaton (robot) and solve the mystery. I guess that's one of the reasons I loved this book. I just love great mysteries. My favorite author of all time is probably Agatha Christy.

I also have to mention Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein.

This is such a great story to use for cause and effect. It's wonderful. Amelia smiles and starts a change reaction that goes all around the globe. Oh the power of the smile. Mr. Stein's illustrations make this book award worthy. It just might be one of my favorite books from last year. It was just BEAUTIFUL!

Reading this week:

The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
A Poke in the I by Paul Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Previously by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman
Wolf! by Becky Bloom, illustrated by Pascal Biet
Tigers: World's Largest Cats by Amelie von Zumbusch
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Chapman
A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech, illustrated by Harry Bliss
Rain Rain Rivers by Uri Shulevitz
Who Will See Their Shadows This Year? by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by David Biedrzycki
Twister by Darleen Bailey Beard, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Read to Tiger by S. J. Fore, illustrated by R. W. Alley
April Fool! Watch Out at School! by Diane deGroat
The Graves Family by Patricia Polacco
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein illustrated by Mark Pett
Chickerella by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by David Catrow
Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan
Cowboys and Coygirls Yippee-Yay! by Gail Gibbons
Small Game by Janet Gurtler
Nursery Rhyme Comics published by First Second
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! by Lucille Colandro
Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Hey, most of them are picture books. As long as I don't go crazy over the illustrations, I should make it though the stack!

Happy Reading!