Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday Salon: The Peaceful Post

Good morning! Right now there's no sun in sight and the air is nice and cool. I love these winter mornings. Since I'm in Southern California, snow is not a worry but we did have some rare thunderstorms yesterday. When you do hear thunder, you can't help but pay attention.

Last week I read only children's books again. Something tells me this might be how the rest of the year will be. This week I read:

Ziggy's Blue-Ribbon Day by Claudia Mills. Ziggy is not good at running, jumping, or throwing balls for track-and-field day. Though his teacher told him to try his best and Ziggy will, he knows he won't be receiving a blue-ribbon award. He's an artist, great at drawing. By chance things change and Ziggy might be receiving a blue ribbon after all.


Chicken Feathers by Joy Crowley. Chicken Feathers is the tale of Josh, an ordinary boy living on a farm and his pet chicken Semolina, who can talk. Not talk like a parrot does and repeat what you say, but actually talks. No one believes Josh when he says Semolina can talk, but he has bigger things to worry about. His mom is in the hospital pregnant with his little sister and he suspects a fox is taking eggs from one of the chicken houses.



Potato Joe is a counting book for small children by author and illustrator Keith Baker. The illustrations are simple yet beautiful though my youngest was not interested in it at all.



Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber. I can't believe I have never read this book until now. Ira is going to sleep over his best friend's house and tries to decide whether or not he should take his teddy bear with him. Full of repetition and funny scenes, Ira Sleeps Over is a new favorite in this house.



A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever is written by Marla Frazee and was nominated for a Cybils award last year. Frazee is also the illustrator for Sara Pennypacker's great series, Clementine. A Couple of Boys is about James and Eamon's week-long adventure with Eamon's grandparents Bill and Pam. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is great. I didn't want it to end.

This weekend I participated in the Inner Child Weekend loosely hosted by Dovegreyreader. The purpose of the weekend is to put aside your adult reads and read your childhood favorites.


Alexander and the terrible horrible no good very bad day by Judith Viorst has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first books I was able to read by myself. The title explains the story perfectly. When my kids are having a bad day this is the book I reach for.



My other read for this weekend is Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn. I read this book when I was around eleven years old. I was browsing my local library and I remember I just happened to find it. The cover intrigued me. Daphne with her flowing hair and beautiful face sitting back-to-back with Jessica. I don't think I can do this book justice. Just read it. I promise you'll love it.


After Daphne's Book, I plan on reading Lauren Groff's short story collection, Delicate Edible Birds and Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale for The Well-Read Ladies book club.

What are some of your childhood favorites? What do you plan on reading this week?

7 comments:

Andi said...

These look fantastic! I remember reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day when I was young and it was fantastic.

I'm reading lots of children's and YA, so we're on the same page. :)

Kailana said...

Alexander and the terrible horrible no good very bad day by Judith Viorst brings back a LOT of memories. I think it is the only one I have read out of your list, but I loved it when I was younger!

Iliana said...

I loved Alexander!! That was one of my favorite books from childhood.

Anonymous said...

What fun books! I don't remember but one book I loved when I was little. I didn't develop a love for books until adulthood. Better late than never...lol!

serendipity_viv said...

Isn't it wonderful to be able to pop back to your childhood through the books you used to read.

Ali said...

I love Alexander and the THNGVBD, and have read it to many kids who loved it. My own kids think it's one big cliche, wrapped up in a picture book! Funny boys.

Ali said...

Me again. I tried to respond to your comment on the other post but it's missing, so this will be cryptic, out of context! Just wanted to say that I followed the link to the quiz and saw the author's disclaimer, which made me feel better about it. I went ahead and took the quiz--am relieved to score in the same category as you. :-)