What I Read in January

In the last post I shared with you the top circulating books checked out by students last month. To continue on the same theme, I will also be blogging the children's and Young Adults books that I've personally read over the course of the last month. (Yep, still playing catch up for January here!)

Some books may earn an additional blurb for being an outstanding book that you just have to pick up yourself! Along with the titles listed you will find the authors and my running tally of books on the year.

I consider keeping up to date with these books as part of my job! I'm a firm believer in reading the books students are reading in order to talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk with them. Teachers and librarians must be authentic readers themselves in order to give reliable book recommendations. An added bonus is that there is nothing more that warms my booknerd heart than talking books with kids!

Let's get down to business...

1. Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick

This was the Caldecott Winner this year! Although it was acknowledged for its pictures, I think the most amazing part was the intertwining story line behind the real Winnie the Pooh. Three stories weave together into a mind-blowing ending when you figure out the author's connection to her story. I read this to all students from 1st-5th grade and they all LOVED the book. Many are requesting it so they can take home and read it again. This is a MUST read for all ages!! I could write a seperate post just about my love for this book, but I will spare you. ;)

2. I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer

I ordered the new series called Ordinary People Change the World for my third grade readers. They have to read a biography for their Sunflower Reader and there just isn't a big selection that appeal to them within their in-between reading level. These books are so great in meeting all of those needs! The characters almost look like a caricature and tells the story partially in a comic book style. This particular book was added to the series just before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so it's great timing was an excellent add to the collection. I can't wait to see who's biography they add next. I know my third graders have the same anticipation, as they are constantly fighting over who gets which book during checkout! #librarianproblems

3. Whose Egg? by Guy Troughton

I thought this was such a great book for my pre-K story time. The pictures are beautiful and I love how it gives the readers clues and subtle hints in the illustration as to what might be in the eggs. The kids loved guessing what was in the egg and then opening up the pages to find out if they were right. This would be a great addition to your collection just in time for spring. I need to find more books like this one for my littlest readers.

4. Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein

5. The Hat by Jan Brett

6. The Mitten by Jan Brett

7. The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

8. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett

9. My Uncle Martin's Big Heart by Angela Farris Watkins, PhD

10. Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rapparport

11. You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown

12. Flight School by Lita Judge

13. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena

14. Looking at Lincoln by Maira Kalman

15. "Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!" by Patricia Thomas