Shouting At The Rain (Lynda Mullaly Hunt)

 

This would be a lovely story to read at the beginning of the year as part of our friendship unit - but only with a class that is quite mature. Trouble is, that's hard to know at the beginning of the school year. Not sure if this would make a good read aloud for grade three. There are some big topics in there - abandonment being a big one. I enjoyed it quite immensely. It was the book for my Children's Lit book club. Now, knowing it is full of anagrams, I am keen to read it again with a different perspective and that inside knowledge.

I looked for sign posts while I was reading. These are my notes:

Goodreads says:

Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a "regular family." Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm. 

In The Tree House (Andrew Larsen)

This is a perfect summer book. It is also a great book on friendship with siblings. Who doesn't love the idea of having their own treehouse?!


This is definitely one to read at the beginning of the school year to coincide with a Magic Treehouse unit and friendship unit.

Goodreads says:

An evocative story about two brothers who are growing up (one faster than the other), an unusual summer night and a special tree house that proves childhood is not just a time but also a place.

Flock of Shoes (Sarah Tsiang)

I totally get this kid! I have things I love and can't let go of even when it is time.

Goodreads summary:
Abby loves her pink and brown sandals with the lime green trim, and she wears them wherever she goes. But as summer draws to a close, Abby’s mom announces that it’s time for the sandals to go. Abby is determined to keep them on—until one day, while swinging at the park, her sandals flip off and fly away. All winter long, Abby wonders what her sandals are up to. Postcards of sandy white beaches and glorious sunsets reassure her that they are having a wonderful time in far away places. Come February, Abby realizes that she has also grown to love her cozy, comfy boots. As the warm weather comes, she watches sadly as they march off, but a swish in the sky announces the return of her pink and brown sandals—all ready for another summer of fun. Full of whimsy, this circular tale is enhanced by rich, evocative language and delicate pastel illustrations that are sure to delight any young child. 

The First Snow (David Christiana)

This book is beautiful! It has imagery that seemed to make everyone in my class sit and listen carefully. We have been reading poetry and talking about how words can mean different things. This story was a great follow up to the poetry because the imagery in this story is stunning. We feel like winter has gone away for a season because ours has been such a warm one.

Goodreads summary:

This beautifully illustrated tale of the first snowfall begins long ago, when Mother Nature was a child and liked only warm weather. When Winter wraps her in a blanket of soft crystals that fall from the sky, she finally awakens to the beauty of snow. Full-color illustrations.

Sleepless Knight (James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost)

Good summer book! Could also be a great one to read before a first camping trip. Lots of laughs and puns all along the way. Kids will really relate to the worry over losing his teddy bear while sleeping on his own. Fun book! Short sentences and simple language

The back of the book has instructions on how to draw the characters in the book. I can see this one staying hidden in a kid's desk so they can practice the drawing.

Goodreads summary:

The Knight can't wait for her first camping trip! She and her horse Edward pack everything they need--including her beloved Teddy--and head out into the woods. But when it's time for bed, Teddy is nowhere to be found!

A helpful rabbit thinks this "Teddy" sounds familiar, and sends the Knight off to a cave... but that's no teddy bear in that cave. That's a real bear!

In this sweet, simple adventure, basic comics elements combine with the picture book format to create a picture book for the youngest of comics readers, and a fantastic introduction into the world of Adventures in Cartooning

See You Next Year (Andrew Larsen and Todd Stewart)

We are looking for a great book to give our Assistant Principal who is not going to be here next year. This one seemed like a good idea, but didn't totally grab us when I read it to my class. Still searching!

The story is lovely though. It would be a great end of year story. We could talk about traditions our family has in the summer. The girl in the story goes to the same place every year for a vacation. The illustrations are beautiful.

Goodreads summary:

Every summer, a girl’s family drives down the same roads, passes through the same towns, and spends a week at the same beachside motel. Year after year, everything is comfortingly predictable: the families they see, the rhythm of the days, the stars, the bonfires, and even the pattern the tractor makes as it rakes the sand on their beach. But this year, something is different: the girl, our narrator, meets a new friend who shows her how to dive under the waves and spot satellites in the night sky. When it’s time to go, she’s sad to part ways. But she knows she can look forward to seeing him next year. Illustrated in a restrained, retro palette, this story perfectly captures the timelessness of a summer holiday. The effect is nostalgic and almost hazy, as if seen in a dream, a memory, or through the shimmering air of a hot summer day.