Half Way Throrugh Summer Reading

It has been a busy summer attending my first ALA conference, implementing online summer reading, and catching on my juvenile and YA reading. As I start to look towards Fall planning I realized that lately I have abandoned my picture books- I am still reading picture books to my youngest but I haven’t been grabbing the newest arrivals, well that changed yesterday when I managed to snag a couple new picture books. And of course they were great!

Lazy Daisy, Cranky Frankie by Mary Ellen Jordan and Andrew Weldon Albert Whitman & Company, 2011. 

This is no ordinary rhyming farm, none of the animals do what they are supposed to do like “my pig, she’s called Nancy. She should like mud, but she’s too fancy.” And while none of our farm friends follow their animal instincts they are all good at one thing…what would that be?  The illustrations are cartoonist with thick black lines and white backgrounds.  I loved the surprisingly funny rhyming and the silly illustrations.Check it out at our library.

 

I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs, Templar Books, 2013. 

This was a lovely surprise that is going straight into my Baby Bloomers story time. I loved the oversized pictures and the simplicity of the book- great to review colors and letters, animals and sounds.  The reader has a spread to guess what animal is peeping at them thru a circle followed by the next spread with a full view of the animal looking back at you.  The circles are cleverly positioned to capture the animal’s eye to continuously look at the reader. I am already thinking of a fun game of “I Spy” to play with my babies and tots. Check it out at our library.

So what else have I been reading….

Three Ring Rascals The Show Must Go On!   Kate Klise, illustrated by Sarah Klise. Release date Sept. 10, 2013
I got this galley copy at ALA and if you have read any of Kate and Sarah Klise work you know they are funny and quick paced.  This new series is sure to be another success like 43 Old Cemetery Road with a combination of drawings, letter exchanges, and witty narration. 

W.A.R.P. The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer, Puffin Books, 2013. 

I read this book for a possible fall program and I must confess that I wasn’t crazy at first as it was a bit confusing and slow paced, but as you start to figure where you are in time- present or past- it gets better and ends with a new villain lurking in the shadows.  The story revolves around Chevron, a special FBI Teen assigned to a secret location in London, and Riley,  who was abducted as a child by a magician turned assassin for hire. These two orphan tales connect when a witness in a very special witness protection program tries to use time travel technology to travel back from the past.  Chevron and Riley must figure how to use a wormhole to travel back in time and set things right in our present. Check it out at our library.

The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos, Starscape, 2013.  
This was another one I read thinking of a possible program, the first installment in a new middle-grade series dealing with futuristic societies and space cadets. Copy provided by borrowing library.

 

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Henry Holt & Co., 2013.

This is the sequel to Bone and Shadow . In the first book we meet Alina and Mal, orphans whose past and future are linked to Alina's powers. In the second book, we experience Alina's transformation as a Grisha- humans with magical powers to command natural elements- as she learns to use her powers and battle against the Darkling. There is a love story, power struggle,  forbidden magic, and much more. Check it out at our library.

 

The Sasquatch Escape. The Imaginary Veterinary Book 1 by Suzanne Selfors, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013. 

I enjoyed this fast pace adventure/mystery.  I especially like the suggested activities and book discussion questions. Copy provided by borrowing library.