I changed the name for my “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” posts to “My Reading Week.”
This week, I posted:
–Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge Wednesday– Read my reviews for:
–Celebrate This Week– This week, I’m celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
Egg by Kevin Henkes
The pastel color pallet scream springtime in this adorable picture book about four eggs that hatch into 3 birds and a… Well, that’s a surprise. Great for beginning readers. I don’t know why they don’t release this as a board book simultaneously with the hardcover format.
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XO, OX: A Love Story by Adam Rex
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m quite smitten with this picture book. I loved how Ox is so undeterred by Gazelle’s lack of interest in him.
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Have You Seen My Trumpet? by Michaël Escoffier
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I didn’t realize this was part of their Word-Play trilogy. I wish I could have enjoyed this one more.
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This is My Book! by Mark Pett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve been hesitant about picking this up for some reason. And I just realized why I’ve been so drawn to it- I love Mark Pett’s other books. In this one, his storytelling is interrupted by a panda. A playful look at the creative process and different kinds of books. The feature that really got to me was the blank book included to encourage readers to write and/or draw their own book!
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When an Elephant Falls in Love by Davide Cali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m a fan of Davide Cali’s “excuses” books illustrated by Benjamin Chaud (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School…, I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…). With this picture book, he explains what a love struck elephant does in his smitten state of mind. Perceptive readers will enjoy finding the yellow bird on every page. A cute “hidden” illustration can be found under the dustjacket which should be checked out after finishing the story!
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My Kite is Stuck! and Other Stories by Salina Yoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Duck, Duck Porcupine gang’s back with three more stories sure to entertain fans of Elephant & Piggie. I appreciated the fact that Salina Yoon was able to put fresh spins in what could have been dangerously predictable plots.
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Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
At first I thought this was a picture book so I was surprised when I downloaded the e-book and it was a beginning chapter book. But by then I was already hooked by the premise of a voracious reader who’s trying to save a lending library run by Book Uncle. Set in India during election year, this proved to be a fun read great for relatable situations of having problems with friends and trying to figure out what one child can do to make a difference.
Thanks to Randomly Reading blog for sharing their review of this book. I wouldn’t have heard about it if not for that!
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The Red Shoes and Other Tales by Metaphrog
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Absolutely delightfully gruesome as the Grimm fairy tales should be. Includes and equally creepy original story.
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And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you want brilliance in whodunit- or in storytelling in general- look no further than the Queen of Mystery’s classic caper!
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The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve said it before but I’m not really a fan of Agatha Christie’s short stories- unless they feature Hercule Poirot, which makes them slightly tolerable- especially if they feature the other detectives I don’t care of like Parker Pyne (which there are two) and Miss Marple (which thankfully there’s only one).
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One Trick Pony by Nathan Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In a future where digital devices and electrical machines (including robots) are confiscated by insect-like creatures called Pipers (associated somehow to the Pied Piper of Hamelin fairy tale), a group of kids are separated from their caravan when they uncover a treasure trove of circuitry currency (including a robot pony) and starts a life and death chase that will lead these adventurers into unexpected places.
I read an ARC of this upcoming graphic novel. I think the fact I was reading an unfinished version actually added to the excitement for me. I can’t wait to check out the finished product.
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Masterminds: Payback by Gordon Korman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of my favorite current series for middle grade, Gordon Korman offers the conclusion to Masterminds. With a few more surprises up his sleeves, he manages to wrap things up in a way that, while it may not be perfect, will satisfy its fans.
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Review Notes
***= Recommended
****= Highly Recommended
*****= Favorite
You can view all the books I’ve read at my Goodreads page.
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 
You’re doing great with the “must reads list”, and thanks for the picture books. I’ll look for XO, OX for sure. Sounds fun. Thanks, Earl! Hope your snowy days are leaving!
XO, OX sounds fun. I’ll also look for Book Uncle. Thanks for the titles.
I can hardly wait to read Egg! XO sounds a bit weird, but want to read it also. It can’t be as creepily stalkerish as it first seems.
Really loved XO, OX! It made me chuckle on every page!
I quickly looked at Egg while at NCTE and was underwhelmed, but I think it’s hard to read in public places. I’m picking this up from the library to try again!
I’m really loving your Agatha Christie sharing here. 🙂