It's Monday! What are you reading? 1/14/13

Jen and Kellee host a weekly meme called "What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA." It encourages you to share what you read during the previous week and to plan what you're going to read/review during the current week. Thank you, Kellee and Jen, for hosting this fun meme.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in The Great Pancake Adventure. Written and illustrated by Matt Luckhurst. Abrams, 2012. 

When will I recommend it? 

A third-grade teacher: "We are studying Paul Bunyan this week. Could you recommend a few of your favorite versions of the tale?" 

A first grader: "Mr. Schu, I love books that make me laugh out loud." 

(I overhear this conversation) A second grader: "I wish I could eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Mr. Schu: "Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but you need to follow me. I have the perfect book for you."

Polar Bear Morning. Written by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Stephen Savage. Scholastic, 2013. 

When will I recommend it? 

The art teacher: "I'm looking for a short video in which an illustrator shares his process." 

A first grader: "My mom used to read me a book called Polar Bear Night."

A kindergartner: "Mr. Schu, I love polar bears. I think they're adorable and cuddly." 

A second-grade teacher: "I need a picture book that is a good mentor text for teaching action verbs."  

Ten Things I Love About You. Written and illustrated by Daniel Kirk. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2013. 

When will I recommend it? 

A first-grade teacher: "I'm teaching a lesson about creating lists." 

A second-grader teacher: "Can you think of a picture book that would help me teach dialogue?"

A Twitter friend: "Dear Friends: I'm looking for a picture book with patient, clever, and funny characters." 

A kindergarten teacher: "I need a read-aloud that will make my students smile and laugh." 

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman