2 Fiction + 2 Nonfiction

I'm so excited to be joining several other Georgia bloggers to share summer reading lists! The hardest part of this post was deciding which kind of list to share! Should I go with a rising first grader list? I do have one of those rising first graders (heart break just typing that!) Should I go with a rising second grader list? I do teach 22 of those rising second graders (where did this year go??) Should I go with a teacher list? I've read some good ones! Should I go with a beach read list? Maybe I actually need to be planning a trip to the beach for that one! 

Decisions, decisions, decisions! 

As I read to T last night and he requested the same book followed by another favorite, my decision was made! Here is our contribution to the summer reading lists-books to read again and again!

*This post contains affiliate links in case you want to go straight to Amazon to purchase the books. Of course, buying local is really the way to go! :)

2 fiction + 2 nonfiction = 4 Fantastic Summer Reads!
(Ages 2-8)

When it comes to informational books, National Geographic Kids are our favorite! We have quite the collection and we've been known to share between home and school on more than occasion. These readers are perfect for independent reading, reading with a parent for fantastic questions, and for simply finding the answer to a question. They have jokes, fun facts, pop quizzes, and more! In true National Geographic fashion, they also have amazing photographs! Our absolute favorite is Sharks.

 

We LOVE Mo Willems around here and could really put any of his books on the list! Since this was one of T's first loves, we went with Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The driver needs a break and pigeon, being the kind bird that he is, volunteers to drive. He tries his very best to persuade the reader to please let him drive even though the driver specifically says, "don't let the pigeon drive the bus." Its a family favorite for sure! These books beg for an animated read and I always try to deliver! Be sure to check out Elephant and Piggie, too! Our favorite is We Are In a Book.

Another series for fact lovers, animal lovers, or those with a sense of adventure is Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta. I met Mr. Pallotta a few years ago and admired how absolutely genuine he was. That made me love his books even more! My son and my first graders can't get enough of this series pitting two animals against each other. We talk about how the author had to research both animals to compare their habitat, lifestyle, eating habits, etc so he could determine who would win if they were in a battle. The reading level for these is 2nd-3rd grade, but they are great for family reads, too! Our favorite (so far) is Whale Vs. Giant Squid. 

If you have a 2-5 year old in your house, please meet Jan Thomas. T loved these books and remarked a few days ago that he can't wait to read them to M and that he might, might even go read one to his kindergarten teacher's class next year! The illustrations are vibrant, the text is clever and there are even a few teaching moments in there. We are fans and our favorite is Rhyming Dust Bunnies.

Come see what friends in Georgia are reading this summer and be sure to share what you are reading, too! 

Keepsake Book

As kindergarten comes to an end (and my heart breaks because my little boy is growing up way too fast,) I sent our keepsake book to school for T's teachers to sign.

You've seen them, right? Lots of people choose the classic, Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. 

You send the book to your child's teacher each year and they write a short message. You then present the book to your child at the end of 5th grade, 8th grade, high school-depending on how organized you are! :)

When T and I discussed this concept and we read Oh, The Places You'll Go, he said, "what other choices do I have?" He wasn't connected with this classic just yet and I respect that. I showed him a few choices.....

I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (swoon) and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. This book is, and I'm not exaggerating, a treasure. I cried as I read this simple text thinking about my little T and my first graders. I can't wait to read it them on the last day of school. T liked it and even gave me a hug when I finished reading it, but it wasn't the one either. 

Then there was When I Grow Up by none other than Weird Al Yankovic. T loves this book because of the silly jobs described and the fun rhymes. Mommy loves it because there is a little teacher lovin' inside! This was our top contender for at least a week. 

While on a trip to Barnes & Noble one weekend, we stumbled upon this book, What a Wonderful World.  As soon as I finished reading it, T declared that this would be his "school book." He connected with it immediately and fell in love with the art. We listen to this song and sometimes I sing it at bedtime. Of course, now that I've read the book, I realize I've been singing it wrong, but, ya know, whatever. :) 

So there you have it, our keepsake book chosen by my soon to first grader (my soul just crushed a little typing that) will be What a Wonderful World which is absolutely perfect because my world is wonderful because of him. 

 

Happy reading friends! 

What We're Reading Sunday

Thank you for checking out our (almost weekly) post, what we're reading Sunday!

I would love to tell you how I have spent hours and hours this last week reading chick lit and children's books, but I would be lying! 

I have been reading writing samples, grading papers, attending 6,000 end of the year events, planning 1,000 more, rushing to swim team, etc. 

We have been reading though-I promise! T's been reading his nightly books and his book fair hot picks! (Our school does an end of the year buy one book get one free book fair and it is always a big hit!)

With me, he chose a couple of nonfiction books and a graphic novel. While without me, he chose a Minecraft handbook. Sneaky kid! He loves it and it has not left his side since the book fair! He even brings it in the car! 

I've squeezed in a few minutes to read the last school year edition of Scholastic's Instructor Magazine. I really like the updated look and feel of the magazine and the articles are short, fun, and current. If you are a K-6 teacher, I'd say grab a subscription for sure!

This month features 50 books for summer reading organized by genre and then by age group. Love, love, love! I've put Brown Girl Dreaming at the top of my summer reading list! 

What are you reading?

Facebook Complaint

I was told by a friend recently that I'm not "real enough" on Facebook. I asked her to explain. She went on to tell me that I don't share my downs as much as my ups. I don't ever gripe about the husband or being up all night with the baby. She said it makes my life look perfect. After I choked on my coffee, I realized she was serious. 

For some reason, maybe because I just read this post, I really thought about what she said. While I do not want my life to seem perfect (mainly because it is not,) I also am just not one of those people. I'm not a social media griper by nature. I'm private. There is a bit of irony there because I love Twitter, FB, Instagram, and have my own blog, but it is true. I am private. 

When something does not go my way, I don't rush to FB or blast a tweet. I call my husband (poor guy!) If I'm aggravated about him (doesn't happen often,) I call my sister who without fail takes his side (true story.) If I have a bad day at work, I'll vent to a friend. If I'm overwhelmed, I call my mom. I'm a talker and I value the time spent talking with the people I love most. The people I don't see enough. The people who know my whole story. AND if the baby kept me up all night, I don't want to do a post about it-I just want to sleep. 

If you know me in real life or virtually, you know most of my story. You know what I want you to know, what you need to know. I've had much loss in my almost 38 years and it is with me everyday.

To be honest, the jerk pulling out in front of me, T talking back for the first time, a colleague not being so nice, a rough day at school, the hot water heater exploding, terrible cramps, or even the 150% humidity we've had already this year, just are not (usually) worthy of my daily 140 characters.  I'd rather share the "other" in my life.

Not sure what it says about me, but I enjoy what others post and take it for what it is-a glimpse into their lives. I laugh at their stories. I feel sad when they are sad. I worry when they worry. I smile when they smile. I celebrate when they celebrate. I try not to judge. I understand that it is all just a snapshot, a teeny tiny snapshot.

So let me continue to share my cute kid pictures, silly selfies, my little funnies, my ordinary and mundane. As a student in my class said, "Go ahead and click like on that for me." While doing so, please know that there are all of those other things going on, too. I run late. I eat too much. I stress out. I cry. I pitch a fit or two. I have a messy, messy kitchen table. I just rewashed a load of clothes that had been there for two days. There are dishes in my sink....and they've been there awhile. 

I just don't want to type about it. I'd rather talk.