A new Amazon book order arrived the other day and this book is one of my new favorite reads. I’ve only read this book to a few classes, but I like it so much that it could be one of the picture books I advocate for at the Librarians of Japan meeting this coming May…this is the meeting where we will select the 2017 Sakura Contenders.
This is more than a read aloud…this is just plain fun! This book takes interACTIVE read aloud to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a book that will get students up off the floor and responding to the story, Can You Make A Scary Face? will do the trick! More books by Jan Thomas coming soon to the ASIJ ES Library.
During library class last week, each fourth grade class looked at four genres and identified their preferred and least preferred genres. The results are in order from least to most preferred genre: realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy and adventure.
Are you still looking for a NEW book or series in your preferred genre or are you trying to find the perfect book to hook you and get you interested in a new genre?
Realistic Fiction
I can’t seem to get enough of Cynthia Lord. Cynthia Lord, author of Rules and 2015 Sakura Nominee, Half a Chance has a new series that will appeal to anyone who has ever wanted a pet. Suzannah lives in an apartment where no pets are allowed and what she wants more than anything is a pet. After volunteering at a local pet shelter, Suzannah finds herself looking for the perfect home for a guinea pig named Jelly Bean. Will Suzannah find a home for Jelly Bean? Will she ever get the pet she so desires? If you are an animal lover, I think this book will appeal to fans of realistic fiction and reluctant readers of realistic fiction alike.
Mystery
Still looking for the perfect mystery/detective series to get you hooked on this genre? Look no further. Imagine getting trapped inside of the Haunted House ride at your favorite amusement park. Imagine that this ride is rumored to be haunted by a ghost. You will be on the edge of your seat and flipping through the pages of this book to find out how Samantha and her friends find out the truth behind the Haunted House ride.
Fantasy
What I like about this new Greek myth series is the humor and page length. Plus, this new series gives readers an entirely NEW perspective on classic Greek myths. Test out the series with Book #1 – Beast Keeper.
Adventure
I have been recommending this series for three years and it has been well received by students in Grades 3-4. Polar Meltdown is one of our newest additions to the Wild Rescue series. In this adventure, Ben and Zoe, WILD’s top operatives, are sent to investigate the death of a polar bear and rescue two infant cubs. Hopefully, you’re dying to get your hands on this book to see what happens to those adorable infant polar bear cubs. Read more books in the series to see what other environmental problems Ben and Zoe encounter. Warning: This is a highly addictive series.
Are you a fan of the popular Who Was…biography series? If so, I think you’re going to love the new What Was…series.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library won the 2015 Sakura Medal for Best Chapter Book. This award-winner reminded me of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but set in a library not a chocolate factory. Chris Grabenstein’s latest book, The Island of Dr. Libris, reminded me of Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke. Instead of characters being read into stories, stories come to life on Dr. Libris’ Island. Imagine coming face-to-face with Zeus, Hercules, Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Tom Sawyer, Jack and the Giant, The Three Muskateers and more. This is one romping, action-packed adventure that I could see coming to the big screen in the near future.
Coming January 2016…another adventure with Mr. Lemoncello.
It was hat day today and this book was the perfect KG read aloud. This classic has never failed me as a KG read aloud. The repeating lines of the story always make for an enjoyable storytime. This timeless story is right up there with some of my Dr. Seuss favorites.
I adored this book, in fact, I have adored everything I have ever read by Pam Munoz Ryan. She is one of my all-time favorite children’s authors. If you are a fan of Pam Munoz Ryan’s previous books, this book does not disappoint, in fact, it is right up there with my all-time favorite, Riding Freedom. Like most of her fiction, this book also has a historical fiction element, but unlike her previous books, this book begins as a traditional fantasy story. This book is thick, it is over 500 pages in length, but it is really, four stories in one. Every story is a page-turner. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see how the fantasy and the three separate tales of three children living in three different places and time periods would be woven together. I am rooting for this book to receive a Newbery Medal this year. Read it and see if you think it is worthy of a Newbery Medal!
I used this 2016 Sakura Medal Contender as a read aloud for my kindergarten classes. Louie sets out to tell a story, but gets interrupted by a plop of jelly landing onto the page. Louie’s story continues to be interrupted by other messes and although the original story is never finished, Louie is satisfied in the end with his “messed” up story.
This book provoked laughter and a lot of discussion about book care and solutions for keeping books safe and dry. Although, not my favorite 2016 Sakura Medal Contender, this book would make an excellent read aloud for librarians, classroom teachers and parents.
An excellent read aloud potential if you’re looking for an interactive read aloud around the topic of creativity and imagination!
Here’s a Sneak Peek:
Are you looking for a new mentor text to kick of writer’s workshop or inspire writers? This year there are two 2016 Sakura Picture Book selections that I think will meet this need.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ppev_6ufYoECZ1cY1dHYgKGNyT8ILY6koT35ng8MWSk/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000
(Click here to view presentation.)
ASIJ ES LIBRARY 