Reading with Nieces

Reality time folks: I have a week to go and have only shared about a sixth of my material. I'm going to do
my best with this marathon week, but moving 1500 miles has taken up a bit more time than I had anticipated. While I think I can finish my reading in time, sharing all that I have found may take a couple extra weeks. I'll be focusing the rest of this week on the reading piece of it, and I hope you'll look for the writing updates in mid-July.

For now, I leave you with just a small sample of the world of literature I have been/ will be sharing with the young loves of my life (my nieces!)

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So, this one does not technically make the list as I read it the week before my challenge. However, it was too much fun to not share it with you. Both Alanah (6) and Nataya (7) count this as a favorite, and I can't blame them. Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, The Spider and the Fly adapts Mary Howitt's poem to the page quite artfully, preserving a dark sense of humor any adult can appreciate and an undeniable rhythm young readers will faun over. Nataya even wrote her own book about the book, preserving some of the more memorable and ear-catching phrases. The webbed lettering and contrasting gray scale illustrations play well into the tone and provide a depth to the story that reaches far past the words themselves.



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This is one Alanah picked for a summer reading assignment sheet on a non-fiction book. I really appreciate the concept here, providing the usual basic habitat and diet info in the context of the animal's true life size. While an entire giraffe/ zebra/ tiger cannot fit on the pages (of course!), the spreads are carefully chosen to accentuate crucial components of the animals' make-up and put the facts into a more concrete framework. This is one that works particularly well in a one-on-one setting, where the child can gain a more hands-on perspective and use his or her own body in comparison.




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This cute cautionary tale by Peggy Rathmann explores the ego and anxieties of a dedicated safety officer and his unexpected canine partner. While the book dragged for me in some sections, both the girls seemed to enjoy being in on the inside joke and "getting" what Officer Buckle was missing- that his sudden popularity was brought on by the lively performance of Gloria and not a new-found student commitment to the safety rules. While the book gets tied up neatly and leaves the officer and the dog with a sense of pride, the feelings of jealousy and insecurity it explores within the middle pages provide a unique and unexpected structure through which to discuss bullying and friendship.



The Spider and the Fly, Written by Mary Howitt, Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

Adding on:
51. Life-Size Zoo, Idea by Teruyuki Komiya, Edited by Kristin Earhart, Photographed by Toyofumi Fukuda

52. Officer Buckle and Gloria, Written and Illustrated by Peggy Rathmann

F n' Gs!

One of the many things I have learned in my time with Jules is to appreciate the joy of F' n' G's! For starters, it's kinda fun to feel like you're cursing when you aren't. More importantly, though, these Folded and Gathered previews of books allow the precocious blogger to get a jump start on the fall and winter preview. So, here goes...

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This subtle exploration of parental incarceration is both powerful and authentic. Beaty's own personal experiences inspired the book, and the childhood innocence through which he writes is subtle and compelling. This is a book I may be wary of sharing with a large group, but could share with smaller segments of the class as part of a larger discussion of family structure, attachment, and separation.

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This playful take on historical fiction provides a colorful (perhaps a bit too rose-tinted) view of a dog's unprecedented journey through space. The context provided in the author's follow-up note provides some solace to the realist among you, and the book opens up a number of interesting discussions on the capabilities and limits of animals in their use to the human world. While that line of chatter runs the risk of being preachy, I find that letting my students do the talking can alleviate that threat and provide infinite entertainment and enlightenment.

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In Kelly Cunane's Deep in the Sahara, we readers get a firm but not condescending lesson in cultural appreciation. The young girl's desire for the malafa that symbolizes her faith and her womanhood is both intriguing and problematic for me. I struggle to remove my western conceptions of her burden from the equation, and I would find it challenging to share this with my students without a profoundly intricate disclaimer-filled preamble. Still, the young girl's admiration for the women in her family and her desire to make those women proud provide both the empowerment I crave and a connection between cultures that is often overlooked. This is a book I will need to read on my own a few more times before I fully understand how to best share it with my students, but it is one I feel certain we should find a place for in the modern child's library.

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In Brush of the Gods, Lenore Look and Meilo So give us a unique and artful take on a legend. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is lovely and mysterious. While some of my younger readers may have difficulty with the length, I can assure them that their patience will pay off as the Brush brings art to life. It would be a great book from which to design an art project or to simply draw creative energy and inspiration. 

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Okay, so this one's not a preview. Jules lets me peruse through her collection of classics as well for the work of such renowned artists as Mr. Sergio Ruzzier with which I was embarrassingly unfamiliar. The words and art play off each other nicely, and themes of family and the parent-child bond come through gracefully. It's a quick read that explores the realities of limitations and encourages the child's curiosity.

***Disclaimer: It occurs to me that this list I am creating may be misinterpreted as a list of recommendations. Let me be clear. The books I highlight in each post are ones I find particularly moving/. believe would be particularly popular with my students. Others may fall anywhere from wonderful to dreadful (though I have been pleasantly surprised by the limited presence of the latter). If I have failed to do so in the past, I must warn you: Not all books are good. Read with caution.***


Now, the list goes on...

35. Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me, Daniel Beaty

36. Laika, Astronaut Dog, Written and Illustrated by Owen Davey

37. Deep in the Sahara, Written by Kelly Cunane, Illustrated by Hodi Hadadi

38. Brush of the Gods, Written by Lenore Look, Illustrated by Meilo So

39. Tweak, Tweak, Written by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

40. Penguin Cha-Ch, Written and Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

41. Kee Kee's Big Adventures in Paris, Written by Shannon Janes, Illustrated by Casey Uhelski

42. Gifts ofthe Heart, Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco

43. Caterina and the Perfect Party, Written and Illustrated by Erin Eitter Kono

44. Henry's Rap, Written and Illustrated by David Elliot

45. Ghost in the House, Written by Ammi-Joan Paquett, Illustrated by Adam Record

46. Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters, Written by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

47. An Otis Christmas, Written and Illustrated by Lauren Long

48. Cute and Cuter, Written and Illustrated by Michael Townsend

49. The Bear's Song, Written and Illustrated by Bejamin Chaud

50. Good Night, Sleep Tight, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Judy Horacek

You can also comment below or add me on Goodreads to see my ratings and share your recs!

Return to the Library

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Dr. Seuss has always been a favorite of mine. Though his points are sometimes didactic, they are always presented in such a fun and creative way that I can barely notice to care. Yertle the Turtle is no exception, blasting traditional conceptions of power dynamics and giving the greedy, overzealous leader the punishment he deserves. I would love to read this book with a small group and explore what message they are getting from it. Much like The Lorax, I wonder if the political message is more for the adult readers. This book also reminds me to be mindful of my library of mentor texts. Seuss provides reliable example of rhyming and makes great use personification. While his style is sometimes a bit advanced, his works can be a great conversation starter surrounding the use of these literary devices.


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As an avid fan of Chrysanthemum, I was eager to explore some more Kevin Henkes works. I admit I may have been drawn to this one for its protagonists resemblance to my dearest Chrysanthemum, but Lilly is a unique character in her own right, and her story has a tone all its own. I appreciate the fallibility of the character as well as her struggle with and against her own conscience. Young readers will relate to her internal struggle and enjoy advising her against her poor choices. I would use this in both small and large groups, particularly if students had been struggling socially or falling into patterns of teasing. It provides students with great examples of feeling words for both their social and literary development, and it explores concepts of guilt, trust, and forgiveness from a unique perspective.


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Apparently, this was a very "Lily" day. Written by Gillian Shields and illustrated by Francesca Chessa, this book follows young Lily in her journey to literacy, book loving, and friendship forming. It turns on its head the concept of the antisocial bookworm and provides a powerful example of how friends can help to teach each other. I would use this book with my students to promote book reading and writing in the classroom as well as to embrace the many other kinds of learning that go on in and outside the classroom.


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One of those modern classics I never quite got around to reading, David Ezra Stein's Interrupting Chicken has a fun and unique sense of humor that my young readers will really appreciate. This 2011 Caldecott Honor is heartwarming without being didactic and funny without being cheesy. It will be especially fun for kids who are familiar (or even bored) with the classic fairy tales for both spectating and participation. They might chime in with the young chicken or even come up with their own alternate endings.


Added titles...

22. Yertle the Turtle, Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss

23. Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

24. Library Lily, Written by Gillian Shields, Illustrated by Francesca Chessa

25. Interrupting Chicken, David Ezra Stein

26. All the Mamas, Written and Illustrated by Carole Ghandi Shough

27. Love, Mouserella, Written and Illustrated by David Ezra Stein

28. Grandma's Gift,  Written and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

29. Miss Little's Gift, Written by Douglas Wood, Illustrated by Jim Burke

30. The Queen's Feet, Written by Sarah Ellis, Illustrated by Dusan Petricic

31. Good-bye, Curtis, Written by Kevin Henkes, Illustrated by Marisabina Russo

32. My Garden, Kevin Henkes

33. Clancy the Courageous Cow, Written and Illustrated by Lachie Hume

34. 1,2,3 To the Zoo,Written and Illustrated by Eric Carle

35. Draw Me a Star, Written and Illustrated by Eric Carle

An Afternoon as a Blogger

To find these recently/ soon to be released books, I spent a few hours with blogger Julie Danielson of Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Thanks to her endless dedication to this "hobby", she has earned the recognition and respect of authors, illustrators, and publishers alike- and I get to reap the rewards. From puppies and kittens to tween angst, I thoroughly enjoyed my fall preview.

In Madeline and the Old House in Paris, John Bemelmans Marciano continues the young girls' century old sage with Ms. Clavel. Faced with a legendary ghoul and an immoral administrator, Madeline is both cunning and benevolent in her mischief. The book provides a great outlet for the child to see the flaws in and defy the adult authority. I would use it in both small and large group settings to discuss the nature of rules and whether and when it may be okay to break them.

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Chris Raschka is one of those authors for whom I may have missed the train the firs time around. When reading his new book, Daisy Gets Lost, Jules informed me that it was a sequel to this modern classic. Both largely wordless picture books, these are great for early readers, advanced readers, and groups alike. They leave room for interpretation and discussion while making clear points about friendship and feelings of safety of security.


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Jane, the Fox, & Me (written by Fanny Britt, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, and translated by Christine Morelli) departs from my usual tastes in both its format and content. This is not a picture book I would use with my young preschoolers. Instead, it is a deeply intriguing graphic novel that I would use with older elementary and middle school students. I particularly appreciate here how the young protagonist explores her insecurities and draws connections between herself and her literary heroine. It is a super-quick read. Struggling readers could use the pictures to clue them into the context while (I hope!) more advanced readers would not be put off as the "graphic novel" does not necessarily carry the same stigma as the "picture book". It does a great job of exploring social dynamics and the intense pressure on young tween and teen girls surrounding body image.


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This fun little meta-picture book written by Jesse Klausmeier and illustrated by Suzy Lee explores the concept of a book and the fun of reading and sharing. It's a quick read and one that I have no doubt would get my students excited and give them ideas about making their own books (within books) (within books)!

The List Continues...
Pecan Pie Baby, Written by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
14. Madeline and the Old House in Paris, Written and Illustrated by John Bemelmans Marciano
15. A Ball for Daisy, Written and Illustrated by Chris Raschka
16. Daisy Gets Lost, Written and Illustrated by Chris Raschka
17. Jane, the Fox, & Me, Written by Fanny Britt, Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, Translated by Christine Morelli
18. Open This Little Book, Written by Jesse Klausmeier, Illustrated by Suzy Lee
19. The Christmas Cat, Written by Maryann Macdonald, Illustrated by Amy June Bates
20. Strega Nona Does it Again, Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola
21. Journey, Written and Illustrated by Aaron Becker

Swimming in the Lit

The engine is still rumbling as I drift into the parking space, the music floating out my windows to the passing patrons as I cut the engine. I step out of my car, make my way past the empty spaces, and walk through the front doors. I am greeted by the block letters above the archways - C.S. Lewis...Edgar Allen Poe... Charles Dickens - my invitation to sit down with some old friends and get acquainted with a few new ones. The Summer Reading Sign-up tables tell me I'm in just the right spot, and I shuffle down the aisles rifling through the shelves. I come across Kevin Henkes and Dr. Seuss, make my way over to Mem Fox and Allen Say. Soon enough, I'm plopped down in one of two adult-sized chairs in the room surround by stacks of books piled high on the desk in front of me.

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In Pecan Pie Baby (illustrated by Sophie Blackall), Jacqueline Woodson gives us an authentic view of a young girl's anger and jealousy surrounding her mother's pregnancy. The girls' feelings are acknowledged and addressed rather than dismissed or diminished, and her mother's sense of humor lightens the mood naturally. In the early ed classroom, this book provides me with the opportunity to address with my students not only the feelings they may be struggling with around young siblings, but also the anxieties they grapple with throughout home and school life.  

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Mem Fox has a breadth and depth to her work that I am only beginning to understand and appreciate. Let's Count Goats (illustrated by Jan Thomas) challenges the typical 1-2-3 dynamic of the counting book and adds unpredictability and fun in its structure. I would use this book in both small and large groups to encourage students to think about mathematical concepts and put those skills to practice across curriculum contexts.

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One of the roles I play for as Julie's intern this summer is to act as Teaching Assistant for her class. Among the many valued recommendations I have drawn from this class of experienced teachers, parents, and children's book enthusiasts is author Allen Say. Having read a few of his works now, I see the value of the cultural experiences he offers. While his word to picture ratio is a bit heavy for my taste, his characters are well developed, and his stories are unique and interesting. Stranger in the Mirror has a young boy waking up and looking in the mirror to find an old man staring back at him. The book discusses the young boy's own reactions as well as those of his shocked friends and family, and it allows the reader to explore those feelings of fear and confusion in their own situations. While it may be a bit too dense for my youngest students, my older 3's and 4's could enjoy the book's mystery and intrigue in smaller group settings. 

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As a preschool teacher and lover of picture books, I am always looking for books that explore a variety of academic areas through literature. In Round Is a Tortilla, author Rosanne Thong and illustrator John Parra integrate Spanish vocabulary into the surrounding English text to teach basic shapes in unexpected contexts. This book would work well for my students, offering them a much-needed break from the traditional structure of the simple shape learning book. 

These are only a few of the many titles I got to sift through, and certainly not the only ones of note. More are listed below. 

1. Pecan Pie Baby, Written by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

2. Let's Count Goats, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Jan Thomas

3. Stranger in the Mirror, Written and Illustrated by Allen Say

4. Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes, Written by Rosanne Thong, Illustrated by John Parra

5. Hello, Baby, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

6. Tell Me About Your Day Today, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Lauren Stinger

7. Where the Giant Sleeps, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

8. A Particular Cow, Written by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Terry Denton

9. That What I Do, Written by Jewel, Illustrated by Amy June Bates

10. Erika-San, Written and Illustrated by Allen Say

11. The Favorite Daughter, Written and Illustrated by Allen Say

12. Nugget and Fang: Friends Forever-- or Snack Time, Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Michael Slack

13. Good Boy, Fergus, Written and Illustrated by David Shannon

Will post more soon!

~ Susan

Intro Time

Hello world!

My name is Susan, and I am a preschool teacher and novice children's literature author embarking on an exciting summer challenge that will (hopefully) help me develop both professionally and personally. I am passionate about the power of children's literature, and I am very excited to begin my journey to read 300 children's books over the next month!

The challenge is inspired by my work with Ms. Julie Danielson, who has assigned 300 picture books to her summer class. While I will be focusing on picture books, though, I do hope to include a few middle grade and young adult novels. I just want to get immersed in all the literature that's floating around out there and enjoy leisure reading in a way I did not always appreciate as a child.

This blog will follow my summer of reading, from book 1 to 300! My plan is to do no repeats of the staples I know and love. I will be looking at classics that I have overlooked in the past as well as some new titles that I am excited to get my hands on. I will likely not be posting about each individual book or each individual day, but I will try to stay up-to-date on the books that are influencing me most as a teacher and author.

Would love recommendations/ comments/ responses, and am hoping this extends far beyond these next 30 days!

Happy reading to all!

~ Susan