Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers cohost It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Be sure and stop by to participate or see what others are reading and recommending this week.
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
I am probably one of the few who has not read Rump! It was on my Must Read in 2014 List, and as of this week, I can now cross it off. I am not much of a fantasy reader, because I don't enjoy keeping track of all the make-believe. Rump was not one of those. I loved reading about the Pixies, the Gnomes, and the Trolls and the true story of Rumpelstiltskin. An important lesson from the book comes from this line: "Simple needs make a simple life."
Wendell Minor - Artist and Author
Last week on Twitter I came across a tweet from Mr. Schu about the new book, Sequoia by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Wendell Minor. The tweet led me to Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and an interview with the artist, Wendell Minor. If you have not read this interview, I encourage you to do so. I will wait because then you will better understand why I read the next three books on this list. After reading this post, I went to our library to find books with his beautiful paintings. I am in awe of this man's talent.
Wild Rescue Series by Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler
If you could imagine Jack and Annie from the Magic Treehouse, the Spy Kids and the Kratt Brothers all rolled into a book series - Wild Rescue would be it!
Ben and Zoe Woodward are twins who are operatives in WILD, a top-secret environmental organization. Their missions take them to different places all over the world, but they have one goal - saving animals in danger and protecting the environment. I have read four in this series and I think these are perfect for third and forth grade students who are reading chapter books but still need some pictures and a larger font. This is also perfect for those animal lovers!
Happy Reading!
I know the Burleigh books except for the Buzz Aldrin one. The illustrations are amazing, I agree. Glad you liked Rump. I did, too, as did many in our Newbery club this past year. I've heard she's writing another book, but not sure what it's based on. Have a good week, Leigh Anne!
ReplyDeletewhat a great bunch of different books. I am n it a huge fantasy fan, either... Until I get one I like. Glad you've found some things that are fun to read.
ReplyDeleteI need to pass on the Wendell Minor books to our librarian. They look great for a biography unit. I haven't read Rump yet, so you are not the last one. I have so much to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteThe Wild Rescue books sound perfect as readalouds for my older son. He is a seriously struggling reader (a 6th grader who reads at a 1st grade level), and while he does love readaloud with me and wants to read more chapter books, he often gets distracted if there aren't any/enough pictures. I often read aloud to him the books that my rising 3rd grader reads independently, so this is a series that would work for both. Thanks! I absolutely love 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast and am constantly discovering new illustrators whose entire works I want to read! Just wish I had a bigger, more extensive library. I haven't seen Wendell Minor's work, but it's so beautiful! And I still haven't read Rump either, so you aren't quite the last, LOL. It's on my #mustread list, so I will be getting to it at some point. Maybe as a read aloud to my kids!
ReplyDeleteRump is very cute, but I love The League of Princes series by Christopher Healey even more. I am slowly working through the third and final book now. Have a great week! ~Megan
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I think this is the earliest I've seen you post :) Nice not having school!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Rump! I saw Liesl speak again this weekend, and it's fun to hear her talk about the book. I'm glad she has 2 more coming up! I loved Night Flight - the text and illustrations go together so well. I saw your reviews on Goodreads about the Wild Rescue series. I'm intrigued, I'll have to check them out :)
I hadn't heard of these Wild Rescue books, I will check them out soon! Rump is amazing, I can' t wait for more from Liesl Shurtliff!
ReplyDeleteThe Wild Rescue books look so wonderful! I love books that are entertaining and teach a lesson.
ReplyDeleteRump is such a great book. I love a good fairy tale retelling!
Happy reading this week! :)
Well - I am one of Rump's number one fans (along with all of my students!) so I am so happy to hear that this was fantasy that spoke to you!
ReplyDeleteI love Wendell Minor's paintings - glad to see another one of his picturebooks here. Another beautiful review of Rump - I hope to find this title in our library during the summer and hopefully catch up with the rest of you! :)
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