This week, I posted:
–#MustReadin2016– Find out which 80 books are my list this year!
–My Top 10 Favorite Books of All Time!– I recently narrowed down my 55 most favorite books down to 20 and from there to 10! It wasn’t easy.
–Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge Wednesday– Read my review for:
–Celebrate This Week– This week, I’m celebrating my One Little Word- Kindness.
You may also want to check out these older posts:
–Favorite Books of 2015, Part 1
–Favorite Books of 2015, Part 2– Picture Books
Silly Wonderful You by Sherri Duskey Rinker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn’t realize this was by the same author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (which although I’ve recommended a lot haven’t actually read). A cute read of how a child has changed a parent’s life for the better- if not always for the easiest. The only problem there may be with this book is that it’s very gender specific.
View all my reviews
The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy by Beatrice Almagna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’d been meaning to read this awhile since it’s quite popular at our store. The storytelling style (or sensibility) is definitely different- with this being a European import. I think the bigger appeal is the quirky illustrations although I do like any story where people help one another out.
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The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
It’s The Wheels on the Bus but with an Indian spin. A fun way to incorporate something familiar with a new look into a culture people may not be familiar with. Some of the rhymes/verses really didn’t do it for me though. Includes a glossary at the back.
View all my reviews
Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My first favorite picture book of 2016 is a great story about being oneself and friendship. Being extraordinary can be lonely and sometimes it takes someone just as special to break down the wall between them, even if the wall is imaginary.
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Peddles by Elizabeth Rose Stanton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cute illustrations abound in this cure picture book about a cute pig who dreams differently than his other porcine pals. Cute ending with humor grown-ups can also appreciate.
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Frankencrayon by Michael Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Michael Hall’s since the super adorable My Heart Is Like a Zoo (now available as a board book!) but there were some of his titles that I wasn’t particularly fond of. Red: A Crayon’s Story was surprisingly refreshing and not a Day the Crayons Quit ripoff that I was worried it would be. This sequel (available January 26th) is a fun read of a cancelled book and a cancelled play. Reading some other reviews, I think people can get something different from this one. It reminds me of Barney Saltzberg’s Beautiful Oops of how a mistake can turn out to be something surprising.
View all my reviews
The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I appreciate books that help kids (or anyone for that matter) tackle big issues like death and compassion. Unfortunately, I don’t think this republished book was that effective. I just didn’t see the point of it.
I read the version illustrated by Christian Robinson, soon to be published March 1st of 2016. His signature style was the only thing I really enjoyed about this book.
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Two White Rabbits by Jairo Buitrago
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
A girl and her dad are trying to cross the border to America- although it’s not known to the girl that’s what they’re doing. The story is sparse almost to the point that it almost seems like it’s unfinished- and that could be the point to open it up to discussion. But you can have a sort of ending and still have it be discussed.
I would recommend Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh instead.
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The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World by Chris Guillebeau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It’s definitely take-what-you-will advice. I’m really taken with the living a life of abundance concept. It’s also a great way to reframe certain resolutions like not spending, losing weight or getting rid of things. It’s not about what we’re giving up but what we’ll end up getting in return.
Other sections I liked:
-The Power of Your Own Small Army- Asking the “reason why” they would go along with you and your journey. It makes me think about how I can improve my blogging.
-The Power of Convergence- “Alignment” (or “flow”) may seem like a buzz-word but I think we all want our lives to be in alignment with our purpose.
View all my reviews
The Tuesday Club Murders: A Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Sigh, I don’t like Miss Marple nor do I like Agatha Christie’s short stories.
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[****] I’d been meaning to read this series because its quite popular at the store. And I can see why!
I read the trilogy, completely sucked in with the story, the adventure, the characters, and the friendships.
The only downside is that when I’ve finally met Zita, I have to say goodbye to her! I hope there’ll be more regular adventures but it’s also great that the series it ended the way it did.
I also read the Zita short story in Flight Explorer, Volume 1 edited by Kazu Kibuishi
Rating Scale
*= It was OK
**= Liked it
***= Recommended
****= Highly Recommended
*****= Favorite
If you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to use the hashtag #IMWAYR when sharing your link!
Have a great reading week!
The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer - Earl Dizon 
I had the same fear as you did before reading Red: A Crayon’s Story. I had missed that a sequel was here. Thanks for the excellent post!
Not like Christie! Well, there’s something for every taste. I like Dorothy Sayers much better, but they are so similar that you probably wouldn’t like her, either.
I love Zita. It is great to follow Ben’s blog as well. He has a a family of all girls. Check him out!
I guess I’d better find those Zita books, Earl. I still haven’t read any of them. I have “seen” Salina Yoon’s new book mentioned, will definitely look for it. I loved Red more than the other crayon books so will put Frankencrayon on the list too. Thanks for all, hope you enjoyed hearing about the winners this am!
I still haven’t read the Zitz the Spacegirl books, but I want to! I’ve been a Christie fan since my teen years. I’ve probably read the short stories at one point, but don’t remember them. (I’m well past my teens now.) Maybe I’ll see if the library has them.
So many of my favourites here! I loved those crayon books, Frankencrayon has such a fun little twist ending. I also preferred Dorothy Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh, but yeah, if you don’t like Agatha Christie you probably won’t like those either! I never really liked Miss Marple, but as a teenager I was obsessed with her Hercule Poirot character, couldn’t get enough.
I’ve only read the first Zita. I thought it was ok, but like you said, the kids do love it.
Loved Be a Friend. I think it has a timeless message.
I did not care for Squishy. I’m not sure if the translation just got lost on me… maybe it was the timing I read it. Not sure. I thought it was strange.
Zita is so fun. I’m looking forward to reading Be a Friend. I had never heard of the Squishy book until the awards this morning. I’ll have to watch for it. Interesting that you highlighted Glow. The author lives here in WI and is a librarian that I’ve met before. I have only read her novel and not non-fiction. I should fix that. 🙂
I want Frankencrayon and Be a Friend! I’m able to order the first, but could only get the second here in Canada as an e-book. Guess I’ll have to wait. Like everyone else here, those Zita books are hot stuff in our library. I’ve never bothered to read them, because they just sell the themselves.
Great books this week! I can’t wait to read Be a Friend.
I was pumped to read your review of Frankencrayon. I am a huge Hall fan after reading Red. Like you, I worried it would be a crayon ripoff and was so pleased with the story. Thanks for your review of this one!
Yay! I am so glad you liked Zita! She’s one my favorites.
I am so excited about the new Hall and Yoon books. I love both of their works.
Happy reading this week! 🙂
I really like the look of Frankencrayon – I absolutely loved Red: A Crayon’s Story and I am glad to see a new one. My daughter loves Zita – but I think we’re missing a volume here in our libraries.