It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and adapted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts with a children’s/YA focus. This weekly roundup is a great way to discover new blogs and bloggers, share recommended (or not so recommended….) titles, and add to your ever-growing to-read list.
Have you seen Finding Nemo? Do you remember Bruce the shark and his “fish are friends, not food” motto? This darkly hilarious story from Aaron Reynolds and Dan Santat is reminiscent of that reluctant carnivore – three apex predators are secretly hurt by their reputations as mindless eating machines, and seek to change their ways and their relationships with their fellow animals. This story will likely appeal to a certain sort of sense of humour, it’s a little bit twisted, but in a very funny way. And Dan Santat’s illustrations steal the show, as usual.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Teachers/librarians looking to inspire budding writers really ought to have a copy of this elegant and evocative picture book in their arsenal. It truly is fantastic. The premise is ingenious – a mysterious man named Harris Burdick visited a publisher to show him samples of his work. He claimed to have written 14 stories, and brought with him a single illustration and quotation from each story. The publisher was impressed, but when he tried to contact Harris Burdick, he discovered that the man had vanished without a trace, leaving only the mysterious images behind.
This collection of illustrations and quotations, rendered in Van Allsburg’s signature shades of grey, would be an inspiring writing prompt for writers young and old.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love cats. The only thing standing between me and full-blown cat lady status is my ridiculous cat allergy. So, a picture book about a kitten already is already right up my alley.
This picture book is adorable. I am pretty picky when it comes to rhymes, and I really enjoyed Linda Newbery’s bouncing, joyful text. The earth-toned illustrations are unique and completely enchanting, and anyone who has ever had a kitten will be able to relate to Posy’s charming exploits. A very sweet and endearing rhyming picture book.
I picked up this book on a whim, drawn to its striking cover, and I am so very glad I did. This beautiful retelling of Homer’s classic epic poem, The Odyssey is stunning. I devoured it in record time, reluctant to put it down and be parted from it. Madeline Miller is a master storyteller. The text is lush, lyrical, and completely absorbing, and the tragic, all-consuming love story she has created is one for the ages. There is some adult content, including some scenes of violence (this is the story of the destruction of Troy after all), so do bear that in mind, but I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Have a great reading week, everybody!
I’ll have to look for The Song of Achilles. The others are books that I’ve enjoyed in the past. The Carnivores book trailer (and the book) are super funny.
Oh, I haven’t seen the book trailer for Carnivores, off to watch it now.
Haha, I would also be a cat lady if I had the energy to take care of cats. But there are a bunch of strays and neighborhood cats that live downstairs because the woman who lives down there feeds them, so sometimes I just go pet and play with the one or two friendly ones. It works out perfectly for me! The cat book does look adorable though, and the Carnivores one sounds interesting!
That would work for me too, as long as I took plenty of antihistamines, stupid cat allergies :'(
I have to get a copy of Carnivores! My kids would love that one. Thanks for posting!
Yay, I hope they enjoy it!
I love the shark book! Song of Achilles has been on my TBR list forever. Look like a great read. Enjoy!
I actually hadn’t heard of Song of Achilles before picking it up, I’m sadly pretty out of touch with adult books these days, but I definitely recommend giving it a go, it’s so well written.
Hope you enjoy The Song of Achilles – I found it very readable (someone actually stopped me on the train to ask what I was reading, as they said I looked happy!).
Yes, I loved it, I almost missed my stop on the bus because I was so absorbed, which is always a good sign.
What a nice variety of books. I’ll have to look for Carnivores. I also enjoy The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I think kids will get a real kick out Carnivores, it was actually the teacher-librarian at a local elementary school who shared it with me, saying how funny it was, and she was right!
Love Under the Rug.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
You too, thanks for stopping by!
I love those first books, Jane, and in the past have used Harris Burdock often in writing. I love Posy, a sweet, sweet book. Thanks for Song of Achilles, will find it!
Yes, Posy is so sweet, you just want to cuddle that little kitten!
I really loved Carnivores! Makes me think I need to pull it out for a read aloud soon.
I think it would make for a pretty hilarious read aloud, some of the scenes just cracked me up!
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick caught my attention…very curious! Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog. Enjoy your week.
It’s a strange and mysterious book, the illustrations are just fantastic! Definitely worth taking a look at if you see it at the library. Have a great week!
Very curious on a few of these novels! I have not heard of them until now, but that is what I love about these post!
Happy Reading & Happy Memorial Day!
My Monday Post
Peyton @A Bookish Mess
Me too, you always discover new and exciting books this way! Though it means we never finish our TBR piles…
Posy looks cute and The Song of Achilles looks good- is that a retelling in more modern language? Just curious about it- will have to look it up on Goodreads.
Yes, it’s retold with modern language, while staying true to the source material. The author has a background in Greek and Latin studies, which is quite fascinating.
I love The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. I’ve had my 5th grade students write the stories to go along with the illustrations. I’ll have to look for Posy, it looks cute! Have a terrific week!
That sounds like such a great writing activity, would be so interesting to see how different kids interpret the same illustrations. I’m thinking of using the illustrations with my adult students, too! A fun break from textbooks.
Have you seen the follow up to Harris Burdick? A collection of short stories by well-known kid authors. It’s a great companion piece.
I’ll have to have a look! It’s such a great idea, I can just imagine the weird and wonderful stories kids would come up with to explain these fantastic illustrations.
I love Carnivores. Every time I’m having a bad day and need cheering up, I always watch the book trailer. Dan Santat in a shark suit is priceless. And in case you’ve never seen it before, here is some hilarity for you: https://youtu.be/Mgt8k8Dle-Q
Thank you!!! I hadn’t seen the trailer before, and this totally cracked me up. I love grown-ups who haven’t forgotten the silly joys of childhood, and keep their inner child close to the surface.
I remember deeply falling in love with Mysteries of Harris Burdick – you do know it has a sequel, right? Chronicles of harris Burdick?
Yes! I just discovered the sequel, it’s very exciting. I love artists and authors who aren’t afraid to think outside the box and create unusual, memorable works of art. Wonderful stuff.
I’ve heard great things about The Song of Achilles, and I really want to read it, too
Great selection this week 
It’s SO good!!
I use Mysteries of Harris Burdick for writing prompts for my students all the time and they absolutely love it. The pictures and settings give them so much to work with and it’s amazing where their imaginations can take them.
Yes!! I love seeing what kids come up with, they always end up amazing and surprising me