Reading Recap: Overdue

Most Deserving of  the Hype
Aaron Becker's Journey

Every successful writer is also a reader. But I am a reader by addiction, not because of duty.

In addition to my annual 50-book goal, I attempted to read 300 picture books as part of the 300 Picture Book Challenge. I missed my goals last year, but not by much. I totaled 225 picture books and 48 Chapter and above. You can see the entire list of picture books on my Pinterest board.

Every year there are books which live up to my expectations, some which disappoint, a few fabulous random finds from the library shelves, and each year there are books which astonish me in their perfection.

I'd like to share some of my favorites:

Favorite Book , 2013
Uma Krishnaswami's
The Grand Plan
to Fix Everything

Best Series
Marie Rutkoski's
The Cabinet of Wonders
Kronos Chronicles: Book 1

Best Random Pick
Rebecca Stead's
Liar & Spy

Best Bargain Table Find
Michelle Ivy Davis's
Evangeline Brown
and the Cadillac Motel

Best Illustrations
Lenore Look's
Alvin Ho
is Allergic to Camping
and other Natural Disasters,
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Longest Overdue
Dodie Smith's
I Capture the Castle

This year's goals are 250 picture books, 50 chapter and above, reread the Prydain Chronicles, and 2 books on the crafts of writing or illustration from beginning to end.

Thus far in 2014, I've read 6 novels, 2 books on writing, and 22 picture books.

So what were some of the fabulous books you read in 2013? What goals have you set for this year? How are you keeping on track?

Book Dare, Book Challenge, Booklist

No book review today, but here is an update on the 300 Picture Book Challenge.

Also a look at BookDare from author, Adam Lehrhaupt. I had fun rearranging my "to read" list to meet the criteria for July. 

Lastly you'll find a few books I'm currently reading to keep on track with my annual reading list. I hope you find some good suggestions among them.

The Paper Crane,
by Molly Bang

Picture Book 300 Challenge

Some recent Reads

Cranky Doodle, Exclamation Mark, Open This Little Book, The Paper Crane, Have You Seen My Duckling?, Ming Lo Moves The Mountain, Juma and the Magic Jinn, King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, Baby Days, My Napoleon, Sweet Dream Pie

I will be updating my Pinterest board next week if you would like to get more information on these and other picture book titles.

Below you'll find the categories and bonus categories, as well as the books I chose for #BookDare.

Flotsam, by David Wiesner

"Who Could That Be
At This Hour?"
by Lemony Snicket

First Light, by Rebecca Stead

1. ocean / beach : Flotsam; A Net to Catch Time
2. red, white, or blue cover : First Light
3. adventure / trip : Sheep Take a Hike; Cousins in the Castle
4. nature / animals : For Pete's Sake; A Farm (Carl Larsson)
Bonus
1. cold / winter : Snowflake Bentley
2. humor : "Who Could That Be at This Hour?"
3. parent characters : Sleepover Squad, Sleeping Over; The Ghost Belonged to Me; Peeled
4. 2013 release : Phoebe & Digger; Exclamation Mark






Here are a few books I'm working my way through to reach my goal of 50 chapter, MG, and YA for 2013.

The Beloved Dearly,
by Doug Cooney

The Rogues,
by Jane Yolen

Theater Shoes,
by Noel Streatfeild

So what's in your book bag?

April Update, 300 Picture Book Challenge

Socksquatch
by Frank W. Dormer

A Leaf Can Be . . .
Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Violeta Dabija

The Emperor's Cool Clothes
By Lee Harper

The Night Pirates
Written by Peter Harris
Illustrated by Deborah Allwright

Maybe a Bear Ate It
Written by Robbie Harris
Illustrated by Michael Emberley

Mail Harry to the Moon
Written by Robbie Harris
Illustrated by Michael Emberley

I Love Ewe
By Aaron Zenz

Big Kicks
By Bob Kolar

Open This Little Book
Written by Jesse Klausmeier
Illustrated by Suzy Lee

PB 300 March Update

Here are a few of the picture book titles I've been reading this month.

The Book of Jonah,
by Peter Spier

Teacher's Pets,
by Dayle Ann Dodds
and Marylin Hafner

Drawing Lessons
from a Bear,
by David McPhail

Owl Moon,
by Jane Yolen
and John Schoenherr

Dragon Dancing,
by Carole Lexa Schaefer
and Pierr Morgan

The Trouble With Elephants,
by Chris Riddell

PPBF, The Cinder-Eyed Cats

I've decided to jump on the Perfect Picture Book Friday bandwagon.

Today's pick

The Cinder-Eyed Cats, by Eric Rohmann

The Cinder-Eyed Cats
Written and Illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Dragonfly Books, a division of Random House, 1997, Fiction, ages 3-8

Themes:
Fantasy, Adventure, Imagination, Whimsy
Tigers, Tropics, Sea Creatures






Opening:
"In Faraway lands,
When twilight falls on fair and wind-swept days,
Cats like velvet shadows move,
Their coal-fire eyes ablaze."

Synopsis:
This nearly wordless picture book takes the reader on an adventure in a flying sailboat to a tropical isle populated by magical creatures of land, sand, and sea.

What I Love:
I was first attracted to the stunning illustration style with its lush tropical palette.  At second glance, the spare, lyrical text charmed me.  But my favorite feature of this book is how author/ illustrator Eric Rohmann draws you into his imagination with four wordless double-page spreads.

sand clay

Bonus:
Why not make your own sand creations?
1. Readers can imagine their own animals coming to life.  Draw or paint them, then accent with Elmer's glue and a sprinkling of sand.
2. I've used this fabulous Family Fun concoction to make a moldable play sand that air dries.  Warning: Use an old pot and kiss the non-stick coating goodbye.
3. Celebrate reading with a sandy snack.

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday for March 1, 2013.
Thanks to Susanna Leonard Hill and to Julie Rowan-Zoch for prompting me to participate.

If you love Eric Rohmann, see his newest book here.

PB 300 Update #3

Bear Snores On
By Karma Wilson
and Jane Chapman

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
By  Martin Waddell
and Barbara Firth

One Leaf Rides the Wind,
By Celeste Mannis
 and Susan Kathleen Hartung

All the World,
By Liz Garton Scanlon
 and Marla Frazee

Tiger Trouble!,
By Diane Goode

The Rice Bowl Pet,
By Patricia Miles Martin
and Ezra Jack Keats

The Twelve Days
 of Christmas,
By Hilary Knight

The Rainbabies,
By Laura Krauss Melmed
and Jim LaMarche

300-Picture Book Challenge

Shar Mohr's 2013 Challenge

During PiBoIdMo, I was introduced to an inspiring fellow writer.  Her name is Shar Mohr, and she blogs at My Picture Book Writing Journey. 

Shar has decided to challenge herself (and any of us who'd like to journey with her) by reading 300 picture books this year.  I hope you will join us as we immerse ourselves in this endearing art form.

Her idea dovetails with my annual reading list.  I don't usually keep track of the picture books I read, so this challenge appeals to the list-maker as well as the book-lover in me.

Here are the picture books I've read since January first.  I'll post an update at least once a week, including any particular recommendations.

The House Gobbaleen
author, Lloyd Alexander
illustrator, Diane Goode

Waiting For Noel
author, Ann Dixon
illustrator, Mark Graham

Elsie's Bird
author, Jane Yolen
illustrator, David Small

The Christmas Cat
author, Efner Tudor Holmes
illustrator, Tasha Tudor

A Christmas Stocking Story,
by Hilary Knight

The First Christmas
author, Robbie Trent
illustrator, Marc Simont 

Olive, the Other Reindeer
author, J. Otto Seibold
illustrator, Vivian Walsh

Goldilocks and
the Three Bears
by Jan Brett

Into the A, B, Sea
author, Deborah Lee Rose
illustrator, Steve Jenkins 

How the Cat
Swallowed Thunder
author, Lloyd Alexander
illustrator,
Judith Byron Schachner