And once again it’s Monday! Can you believe we’re nearly at the end of April?! My goodness, where did the month go? I can’t say I’m too sad to see April exit the stage, though – it’s been an unrelentingly soggy month, and I am desperate to see a few of those long-awaited May flowers.
I wrote about a couple of books this week on the blog that you might want to check out (click on the link to visit each post). On Wednesday I reviewed This Is How We Do It, an incredible nonfiction title that follows real children in countries around the world through a typical day in their lives. It’s absolutely fantastic, and I can’t recommend it enough. Be sure to check out my review for a peek into this nonfiction stunner.
I also wrote about a brilliant Korean wordless picture book, Pool. I adore wordless picture books, and Pool is a beautiful, imaginative addition to the genre. Highly, highly recommended!!
I’ve also been dabbling in a bit of travel writing – travel is something I’m absolutely passionate about, so I’ve been scribbling a few posts here and there documenting my most recent trip abroad. This week I wrote about my visit to a Japanese whisky distillery in the northern island of Hokkaido…in the depths of winter. This Canadian was shivering in her boots, that’s for sure!
And if you’re interested in poetry at all, whether for kids or adults, I highly recommend participating in the weekly Poetry Friday community. I’m fairly new to poetry as a whole, having sadly been turned against the genre by several negative experiences in high school English classes, but participating in this community has helped me rediscover my childhood love of poetry! There’s so much poetic variety represented, and the community is very supportive and encouraging. Last week I shared an ode to a dearly departed kitchen appliance, trying to find the humour in an otherwise pretty annoying situation. Each week a different blogger hosts the Poetry Friday roundup, and you can find out more about the community here
If there’s one request I get on a weekly basis it’s “more dinosaur books!” My preschoolers just can’t seem to get enough dinosaurs in their lives, so I’m always on the lookout for more dinosaur picture books. This is a very sweet little story about a boy and his pet triceratops. Raising a dinosaur is a lot like raising a puppy, just on a much larger scale!
What little kid hasn’t dreamed about having a dinosaur for a pet? The simple text allows the soft, sweet illustrations to shine. Any little dinosaur lovers in your life will likely be delighted by this delightful little story.
Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by!
I’m adding Pool to my wishlist.
It was a busy week of reading, Girl Scouts, the Mandarin Showcase, and boxing up books. Come see what I’m reading.
I hope you enjoy it!
This Is How We Do It looks nice, what a great idea for a book! And I love the look of that triceratops book- they were always one of my favorite dinos and I think it looks really cute.
I was dinosaur-obsessed as a kid, so it’s fun to be able to talk dinosaurs with little kids who share my fascination with them.
The dinosaur book looks so cool. I wouldn’t mind having a dinosaur, not if he/she is sweet. The illustrations are adorable.
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
It’s such a sweet book, and as a fellow dinosaur-lover, it’s so fun to be able to share dinosaur stories with little ones!
Even though the book is too young for my son, I’m going to buy a copy of Pool simply because the wordless book concept intrigues me and my surname just happens to be Pool!
Pool is lovely, and wordless picture books have such broad appeal, because they can be interpreted in all sorts of different ways.
I was turned off to poetry during high school, too. I started enjoying it again after attending an institute with a National Writing Project site. I loved teaching poetry when I was a classroom teacher. It was fun and first graders are so creative. My first and second graders love dinosaurs, too! If I Had a Triceratops looks cute.
Isn’t it terrible how many people have negative experiences with poetry in school? It’s such a shame, and I’m so glad that we have so many teachers now who are passionate about creativity and imagination, and who are encouraging their students to explore and experience poetry!
I better not see anymore snow this year! My flowers are starting to bloom and that makes me happy.
Me too! It’s been a long, dark winter, and I am completely over it!
I’ve read Pool, so full of imaginative scenes. And I am waiting for This Is How We Do It, know it will be good. Good luck with the travel writing, Jane. I love reading travel books. As for dinosaurs, I wish you were here. Someone just donated a bunch of books about dinosaurs to the bookstore! They are popular!
In the original Jurassic Park novel, Dr. Grant actually likes children (in the film they made him dislike children), because children understand and share his passion for dinosaurs! I definitely feel the same way.
Cute assortment of books. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Thank you!
There are some layouts in Pool that are absolutely gorgeous!
Congrats for starting the poetry journey! I have not caught the bug, but I’m so impressed with those who write it!
Pool is just stunning, I’m always amazed by the creativity of authors and illustrators!
Thanks for the review of This is How We Do It. I can’t wait to read it and Pool. I didn’t know about Poetry Friday so thanks for the heads up about that. I’m canvassing these days, but hope to find more time for writing when I’m done with this and the Chocolate Lily books.
This is How We Do It sounds fantastic – definitely adding that one! I have a feeling it’d be a great book club selection.
I don’t think I’m creative enough to get away with wordless books…never have been, though I love the cover. Travel writing sounds fun, remembering places you’ve visited. I look forward to reading more.
So glad you are enjoying Poetry Friday too! It was one of the first communities I connected with when I first started blogging.
I am not an avid reader and need to get better at that. You have piqued my interest with Pool. I may have to check it out!
Your picture books look great this week, and I’ll really have to look into Poetry Friday! Thanks for sharing the information about it. Have a great week!
Your picture books look great this week! I’ll definitely have to check out the Poetry Friday sight. Thanks for sharing the information about it. Have a great week!
Loved reading your travel writing and would love to visit that whiskey distillery. As for books, we love Pool – Such a thought-provoking wordless picture book
My grandson would love those dinosaur books.
I also enjoyed Pool. I will definitely be looking for This is How We Do It. Thanks for the recommendation.
Pool is one of my favourite picture books from last year. Very quiet with understated colours, yet it packs a punch.
I don’t even know what has happened to this year ALREADY! I feel like each year just goes faster and faster!
If I had a Triceratops looks incredible! My 3 year old is obsessed with dinosaurs at the moment and that looks like one she would love!
Hope you are having a lovely week!
I used to love poetry maybe I should go back to read it again. Pool looks so whimsical. I want it!
Both Pool and This is How We Do it are titles in my collection. Really fantastic books. Pool is so incredible.