Library Haul...Courage, Misunderstandings, and Sloths

It's over. This is our last library haul. A few days after we picked up these books the libraries closed for visits. The library is open for walk up service but things aren't looking so great in terms of covid numbers so we're going to drop these books off and then that will be the end of our library visits. Now, more than ever, I wish I were living back in Cali where we could at least be outside and open windows. Alas, here is the last haul keeping us company in the cold weather.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

I'd been meaning to get my hands on this book since it came out so I was happy to see it on the shelves at my library. Jabari Jumps tells the story of Jabari, who is ready for his first jump off the diving board. He feels pretty brave until it comes time to climb the ladder. Jabari's dad and sister are there to cheer him on and help him get ready. I love the sweet honesty of this story. Sometimes things are hard. Sometimes it is ok to take a break and think about whether or not to go through with something. Sometimes it is ok to feel surprised. This will be a message that we will certainly revisit throughout Oscar's childhood.

I spy...a ladybug! Can you find it in each panel?

Bravo, Dad.

Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dykman, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Wanna hear something creepy? Misunderstood Shark was the last book I checked out...in Boston before the libraries closed down in March. I don't know what that means but what are the chances??? Misunderstood Shark was the clear winner of this week's library haul. Even though I knew the author, illustrator, and book, Oscar hadn't ever seen it before because the first time I checked it out, in March, was when we were doing on author study on Ame Dykman. Oscar found this book on display in our last visit to the library and asked me to read it right then and there. He asked if we could bring it home and then, after what was likely our 10th reading, he looked at me and said, "I love this book." I might have to buy it. Misunderstood Shark is an interview with Shark for "Underwater World with Bob," a show hosted by a jelly (or is he a jellyfish??) named Bob. Throughout the book it appears as if Shark is going to be, well, very shark-y. However, he keeps insisting that he is misunderstood. The illustrations do a fabulous job of asking kids to make inferences while they read, leaving us all wondering, how misunderstood is he really? You're sure to get many laughs with Misunderstood Shark.

"You misunderstood." the previous page reads...

My favorite page

Sloths by Laura Buller

I am currently working on a nonfiction unit with one of the students I am tutoring. I picked up a bunch of nonfiction books to use as mentor texts. I saw this one and snagged it for Oscar and my student. Oscar and I saw a sloth at our zoo over the summer and he has had a quiet fascination with them ever since. I wasn't sure if he would be up for sitting through a nonfiction book but he rocked it. He was so into this book, the new information, the pictures. I guess it just goes to show you shouldn't underestimate your kiddos! (Note: He did not sit through our Kamala Harris book. Which also goes to show the role interest will play in reading.) The DK series is a great one for introducing nonfiction. I had no idea there were so many kinds of sloths!

So what's next for our library haul? I can't really afford to buy all the books we want to read so for now, Oscar and I will check out books from my personal library. I have about 300 children's books so it seems like a good time to revisit those favorites.