Monday, March 31, 2014

Eyes on You

I was so excited when I saw that Kate White had a new book coming out. I have enjoyed every one of her books.  Maybe it was just a case of setting my hopes too high, but Eyes on You was a disappointment for me.




Robin Trainer is finally having success - she has authored a book that is getting a lot of publicity and she is a co-host of a popular morning show.  Robin especially appreciates this success since she has battled to come back after a divorce and car accident knocked her down.

The one thing tarnishing this happy time is the fact that someone appears to have it out for her.  There are the copies of her book she finds in her office with her face on the back cover that has been ripped. There is the cockroach in her coffee.  There is the brownie she eats that has been drugged.

Although these are all more than just pranks, I couldn't help but think they were rather weak attempts at creating suspense.  The characters seemed one dimensional and I had a hard time becoming invested in the story.

I still will recommend Kate White's novels to friends, but this is one that can be passed up.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Friday Five


Friday, already!  Here are a few things that have caught my eye this past week.  Enjoy!

My collection of summer clothes has diminished over the years. My school where I teach is air conditioned and often too cold to wear any type of summery clothes.  And since mostly in the summer I am just hanging out at home, I usually have a few pairs of jean shorts and running shorts I rotate through.  I love these bumblebee shorts. They are back ordered until June, but since we still had snow flurries yesterday afternoon, it doesn't look like I'll need them anytime soon.

I know for sure I'll wear the shorts if I order them, but even though I love this dress, I'm not so sure it is very practical.  It is on sale now, which is a bonus.  Maybe it has just been winter here for too long since I have summer clothes on the brain.


One of my friends is having great success dieting right now.  I need to have some success at dieting. My pants are tighter than I'd like.  My husband is tired of paying the monthly Weight Watchers online fee when I use it quite infrequently. I have used My Fitness Pal before but my cell phone was so crappy that I didn't last very long with it.  This week I remembered to load the app onto my new phone. It is fantastic!  I love seeing the calorie count and the nutrition breakdown. It hasn't fixed all of my bad eating habits, but it is keeping me more accountable. I didn't have a great day on Thursday, but the rest of the week, I did an awesome job. I just hope it pays off when I get on the scale next week!


One of my friends posted this article on Facebook.  Every classroom teacher I know agrees with this woman's points. Sadly, it's the administrators that don't. 

I've had quite a few classes watch this adorable video of a group of California kindergarteners' re-enactment of Miss Nelson is Back. I love it!


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick: The Arsonist by Sue Miller
Due out: June 24, 2014

Product information taken from Amazon:From the best-selling author of While I Was Gone and The Senator’s Wife, a superb new novel about a family and a community tested when an arsonist begins setting fire to the homes of the summer people in a small New England town.

Troubled by the feeling that she belongs nowhere after working in East Africa for 15 years, Frankie Rowley has come home—home to the small New Hampshire town of Pomeroy and the farmhouse where her family has always summered. On her first night back, a house up the road burns to the ground. Is it an accident, or arson? Over the weeks that follow, as Frankie comes to recognize her father’s slow failing and her mother’s desperation, another house burns, and then another, always the homes of summer people. These frightening events, and the deep social fault lines that open in the town as a result, are observed and reported on by Bud Jacobs, a former political journalist, who has bought the local paper and moved to Pomeroy in an attempt to find a kind of home himself. As this compelling book unfolds, as Bud and Frankie begin an unexpected, passionate affair, arson upends a trusting small community where people have never before bothered to lock their doors; and Frankie and Bud bring wholly different perspectives to the questions of who truly owns the land, who belongs in the town, and how, or even whether, newcomers can make a real home there. 

Suspenseful, sophisticated, rich in psychological nuance and emotional insight, The Arsonist is vintage Sue Miller—a finely wrought novel about belonging and community, about how and where one ought to live, about what it means to lead a fulfilling life. One of our most elegant and engrossing novelists at her inimitable best.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Listening for Lucca

My girls book club this year read Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur and loved it. I continue to hear from these girls how they want to read another book just like Love, Aubrey.  

Although I can't find an identical book (because that would be impossible and would simply be another copy of Love, Aubrey), I can now hand off Listening for Lucca, LaFleur's latest novel.

I started reading on the way to Middle Sister's state volleyball tournament, and was happy to keep reading on our three hour car ride.  Although there were a few interruptions, I finished just a few minutes before we arrived, and recommended Listening for Lucca to Big Sister as we pulled into the parking lot of our hotel.

Siena, and her family move from Brooklyn to Maine, looking for a slower and less stressful way of life.  Siena's younger brother,,Lucca is just three, but already his parents and sister know that his lack of language skills sets him apart from other children his age. They are hoping that a change in environment will help Lucca talk.

Siena is also a little bit different from her peers.  She has struggled with friendships in the past, and knows people think she is weird. Her dreams are real events in history, and when she tries to explain this to her friends, they can't relate.

Siena is hopeful she will be able to make friends in this new home, yet almost instantly she realizes that there are secrets in her new house, and becomes drawn in to the lives of the children that resided in her home during World War II.

It's no secret that I don't love the fantasy/science fiction genre, but I am more able to enjoy magical realism, which is where I would classify this book.  LaFleur's story is a wonderful look at a girl trying to fit in.  She also includes the problem of selective mutism, which is something I hadn't had any experience with a decade ago, but which I have now seen many times.  

I loved Love, Aubrey, but I also loved Listening for Lucca and can't wait to pass this book on to my readers at school.  This is a book that made me sigh as I turned the last page, and will keep with me for a long time.

Monday, March 24, 2014

The Daring Ladies of Lowell

Kate Alcott's The Daring Ladies of Lowell brought to life the struggles of girls working in factories in dangerous conditions for poor wages.

Set in the 1830s, Alice moves to Lowell, Massachusetts, to create a future for herself- a future brighter than the one she will face with her father if she stays on the farm and allows him to abuse her.

Alice likes her new-found independence and the girls she rooms with, but realizes quickly that the job she must do is one filled with danger and little reward.  

Alice isn't afraid to speak out, and quickly becomes the voice of the workers at the mill. In addition, Alice has attracted the attention of the mill owner's son, a  prominent and wealthy bachelor. The two are from vastly different social circles, yet are attracted to each other.

Lovey, Alice's best friend, a loud and daring young lady, is discovered strangled one day.  Although the girls want the killer brought to justice, there are powerful people in Lowell, Massachusetts, who have the ability to influence the evidence and the outcome of the trial.

Alcott has based Lovey's death and subsequent trial on the real-life murder of a mill girl and 1833 trial that followed, creating a wonderful historical fiction account of a little known event in history.

Alice and her friends are inspirational for their determination and the role they played in helping women in the work force.  I couldn't help but root for Alice and hope that she would find happiness.


Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunday Salon


Ahhhh....the end of spring break. Tomorrow it is back to the rat race, which I am sort of looking forward to. I didn't accomplish much over break - not as much as I would like, anyway.

On Friday we headed to Lake City to watch Middle Sister's volleyball team compete in the 4th grade AAU state tournament.  It was a night of fun in a hotel with the other families, and then a day of watching volleyball games until their team was beat. They walked away with a fifth place finish, and one of Middle Sister's teammates was named MVP for the tournament.





Today we cleaned out our refrigerator and moved our food to the new refrigerator that was installed Friday while my mom sat at our house and waited for the Sears delivery men to arrive.


Our new refrigerator has so much room - I am loving how organized and clean it looks.  I had my girls look at it, too, so we can remember how it looks and try to keep it looking this neat.

Our kitchen isn't entirely done yet, but we can see the finish line.  Thank goodness.

It's time to think about bed and getting ready for our busy week. I can hardly wait to sit down and begin Jen Lancaster's newest book, Twisted Sisters.

Have a great week, everyone!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Last Day of Break

What does one do on the last day of spring break?  Get new tires, I guess.  This wasn't in the plans for my day, but my husband noticed my tire was flat. He came home from work to put air in it so I could take it in to have it looked at.  

As I tried to show our mechanic which tire had the problem, I noticed right away something didn't look right.  Maybe this portion was not visible in our driveway, but I could easily see that there was a problem when I arrived at the service station.






The mechanic was so amazed that I was able to drive at all without it blowing, he had me wait for him to change it to a spare he had available, and then go on to have my tires replaced at the tire station he buys supplies from.  
So, not what I had intended for my day, but I am feeling fortunate that our trip to the Mall of America was a safe one.

What else did I have time for? A nice run on the treadmill,  a little reading, and packing up and heading out to Middle Sister's state volleyball tournament - with new tires on the van.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Friday Five

Forever 21 had theses super cute booties on sale for just $27.80. The price is right for me considering I won't be wearing these a ton.  Saw these at the Mall of America, but didn't purchase them then. Now I am trying to decide if it is worth ordering online.

I can't help but feel nostalgic for my 80's childhood.  This Simon toy I purchased from Marbles the Brain Store in the MOA.  I'm going to say this was a totally logical purchase because it is educational. 


JCrew had these super cute Ts available  - I don't think the picture does them justice.  A bit nicer than your average T, I could wear this to work with khakis this spring.

And sometimes it is just the simple things....like having a sink with running water.  This means things are getting closer to being back to normal.  

I have my friend Aimee to thank for my newest guilty pleasure.  I have tried both the traditional whipped peanut butter, and also the s'mores flavor.  Despite my love of peanut butter, I think I like the s'mores kind a bit more.  I am going to have to limit my purchases of this because I snacked on this all morning on Wednesday while I was home over spring break.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Spring Break 2014

Our annual spring break trip to the Mall of America this year.  It was a full day of shopping.  The big excitement was the hair straighteners that my friend Crystal and I bought.  

 Elevator in Forever 21


Little Sister with her Build a Bear


 Crystal, me and her daughter, Angelle at the Rainforest Cafe for lunch


 Johnny Rockets for supper. Loved the music!


Supper at Johnny Rockets.  Middle Sister's curls from Alon in the mall

Home by 11:00 PM.  It was fun-filled day that ended with a bit of snowy driving in Minnesota.  Luckily the roads weren't bad for long.  

The girls were back at school the next morning and after dropping them off, I headed back to bed.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


This week's pick: The Unwitting by Ellen Feldman
Due out: May 6, 2014

Product Information taken from Amazon:
From the acclaimed author of Next to Love comes a riveting story of a marriage that founders on conflicted allegiances, deception, and secrecy. Set during the Cold War, this compelling novel is about a woman who is unwitting, and the unraveling of her life when she discovers that the person she is closest to in the world, the husband she loves and trusts, has betrayed her not with another woman but with an allegiance.

Monday, March 17, 2014

The Geography of You and Me

Jennifer Smith's books are the perfect books for teen romance lovers- and also for my pre-teen reader, who prefers realistic fiction to other genres.

Smith's newest book, The Geography of You and Me was another fun, sweet read.

Lucy and Owen meet one day while stuck in an elevator. They are from different worlds- Owen's dad is the manager of the luxurious building where Lucy and her family live on the twenty-fourth floor. 

Through some strange chances, both move from the building, never having a chance to reconnect.  Owen's father is fired from his job, still grieving the death of his wife, which is something Owen is also dealing with.

Lucy's father is offered his dream job, and the family moves overseas to Scotland.  

The two keep in touch through postcards - scribbling just a line or two to each other, most commonly, "wish you were here."

A chance of reconnecting doesn't give them a happily ever after ending, as they meet up in California, and they are both in the middle of relationships with other people.

And yet...the two can't give up on each other, either, even though they connected for that one brief time in the elevator.

Smith  has never disappointed me and this book was another sweet teen romance.  I was never quite sure how this would end....although I don't think the ending is a huge surprise, either.  My sixth grade daughter is happy to add this one to her TBR stack, and the high school senior that works for me is also excited to read The Geography of You and Me, showing the wide audience to whom Smith's writing appeals.


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Sunday Salon: Spring Break





Spring Break has officially begun.  Woot-woot!  Unfortunately we had snow again last night, but the seven day forecast gives me somethings to look forward to.


Today was perhaps the laziest day I have had in years.  I laid around in my pajamas until noon - unheard of around here, especially on Sunday, since we have church at 9 AM.  I dozed on and off, read a little, watched some of an episode of The Good Wife, and dozed some more.

Eventually I did make it up to run 6 miles.  I have even washed several loads of clothes.  

We have been operating without an oven since Thursday, which is a bit tricky.  Our faucet for our kitchen sink never was ordered, so the plumber never came on Friday to hook that up.  In the grand scheme of things it is just a small irritation, but between having no oven and no sink, I am having no fun.  

We drove to my mom's for supper tonight so I could make waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs.  

Our spring break plans include (hopefully) getting a lot of things done in the kitchen, taking a trip to The Mall of America with a co-worker and her daughters and mine (our 3rd annual trip), and enjoying some warm weather.

I'd love to get some books read and some miles logged on the treadmill.  

Happy Spring, everyone!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Goldfinch Awards - Week 2

Last week I blogged about three picture books that I shared with students from the Iowa Goldfinch award list.  

This week I read the second set of three books from this collection.




Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is a funny, rhyming story about a mother hen who wants her children to go to bed. Every time she leaves the room, her chicks go wild - jumping on the bed, having pillow fights, and making noise.  Readers enjoyed the story even more when they realized that mother wasn't upset because she wanted her chicks to go to sleep, but instead was upset because she wasn't included in their party. 




Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean is a definite crowd pleaser.  The groups I read this to had already heard this story many times, but were still begging for me to read it.  Not only did I read it to them, but I shared the live performance by the author and illustrator from youtube.



Blackout by John Rocco is a personal favorite of mine.  This picture book is a Caldecott Honor Book from 2012, and I have read it many, many times already, but still am always in awe of the beautiful illustrations. A young boy and his family experience a blackout in the city where they live, which brings them together to spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Although the electricity comes back on, the ending of the story is heartwarming as the family chooses to turn the lights off once more and enjoy some time playing a board game together.

The voting was a bit more mixed this week with these three titles, and there was not the clear hands-down winner this week, unlike last.  However, even with a little more variations in the voting, Pete the Cat was the big winner with nearly all the classes I shared it with.

So, Pete the Cat and Press Here along with additional winners from future weeks will be facing each other in our voting finals.

Since next week is spring break, we will resume our Goldfinch reading once we return.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Friday Five

This week's highlights:






I was so excited to read this post on Teachitivity.  The corkulous app is one I can see so many uses for with my students.  I need some more time to play with it, but it is pretty awesome.


There are a lot of things I love when I shop online, but only a small number that I actually purchase. I have been looking for something like this for a while to hang in my super small entry way - a place where we could place our keys, mittens, and other items we are always misplacing.  Click here for product information.


Playdate for Little Sister and her friend - rescheduled after the weekend with strep throat. Finished with ice cream at our new local ice cream shop.

 

On Wednesday I made a home visit to a student for their birthday. This is Pyae's first birthday in America, and he excitedly asked me and another teacher to come over for "talking."  We know enough about other cultures that we always accept their generous offers of food and drink.  This time we were offered tea (not a favorite of mine), but I surprised myself and absolutely loved it! It was more like hot chocolate than tea, and it was full of caffeine, which I don't do, but it was so tasty.  (We were also served three other beverages during the hour we were there, and accepted each with a smile and the knowledge that we would be well hydrated).  This tea mix can be ordered online.

Kindle purchase of the week:
Can't wait to read this one...partly because I'm a parent of kids who are slightly younger than teens and already networked. Partly because I'm educating elementary students to be tech savvy.  

These are the highlights of my week.  

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Thursday Construction Update

My update today was supposed to include a photo or two, but I'm still working on that.  The flooring is getting put in by my husband and some of his friends. Of course this is taking a while since he has to do it in the evenings after work.  

When I got home yesterday I asked if anyone had been there working during the day, and I was shown the trim work that our construction guy put up. Apparently I was not looking hard enough. 

The big irritation is that we need our appliances hooked up.  Sears dropped them off, but we paid to have them installed as well. Since our flooring was not in, the delivery guys informed me that we wouldn't want to install them yet.  The refrigerator is four hundred pounds, and as I looked at it this morning, I couldn't help but wonder how in the world we are going to get that where we need it.  I think I will phone Sears later today and inquire about those same men returning to finish their job.

I have spring break next week and hope that there are only finishing up types of things that have to occur that week. I am ready to be done!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick: Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok
Due out: June 24, 2014

Product Information taken from Amazon:
From the bestselling author of Girl in Translation, a novel about a young woman torn between her family duties in Chinatown and her escape into the world of ballroom dancing.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Wong grew up in New York’s Chinatown, the older daughter of a Beijing ballerina and a noodle maker. Though an ABC (America-born Chinese), Charlie’s entire world has been limited to this small area. Now grown, she lives in the same tiny apartment with her widower father and her eleven-year-old sister, and works—miserably—as a dishwasher.

But when she lands a job as a receptionist at a ballroom dance studio, Charlie gains access to a world she hardly knew existed, and everything she once took to be certain turns upside down. Gradually, at the dance studio, awkward Charlie’s natural talents begin to emerge. With them, her perspective, expectations, and sense of self are transformed—something she must take great pains to hide from her father and his suspicion of all things Western. As Charlie blossoms, though, her sister becomes chronically ill. As Pa insists on treating his ailing child exclusively with Eastern practices to no avail, Charlie is forced to try to reconcile her two selves and her two worlds—Eastern and Western, old world and new—to rescue her little sister without sacrificing her newfound confidence and identity.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Perfect Score Project

My husband and I have argued about standardized testing for nearly as long as we have known each other.  He believes it is a true measure of intelligence. I believe there are some forms of intelligence that a standardized pencil/paper test cannot measure.  

Can you tell that he scored higher than I did on the ACT?  Even though neither of us has taken that test in 20+ years, it is still fodder for some rubbing-it-in fun every once in a while.

Debbie Stier is a mother to two teens when she decides to embark on her Perfect Score Project.  Her son, Ethan, will soon be applying to colleges and his mediocre grades and lack of ambition won't help provide scholarships.   But, a high SAT score might.

Stier begins a year of test preparation and practice as she looks for various tips and plans that may help raise her score, so she is better able to assist Ethan as he studies for his own SAT.  

Her methods might be considered a bit Tiger Mother-ish by some, but Stier doesn't subject her son to even near the same level of rigor that she displays as she studies for the SAT and takes the test seven times.

Part of The Perfect Score Project is an entertaining memoir of a year in Steir's life. The other part shares great tips and lessons for parents and children about to enter the test preparation crowd.

My own children aren't in this age range yet, but the times are coming when soon I will be in need of some SAT/ACT test prep advice.

I have started attempting (and attempting is being generous) completing the SAT question of the day myself, which is plenty challenging. I am certain I won't be signing up to take the SAT/ACT/GMAT or any other test anytime soon.

Visit Debbie Stier's website.


Monday, March 10, 2014

The Invention of Wings

I often find it difficult to want to read books that are getting a lot of press. Call me contrary, but it is more exciting to me to find a hidden gem than it is to read something that everyone already knows about.

Oh, eventually I'll get around to reading that best seller, but it will be in my own time - which usually is quite a lengthy while.

So, I surprised myself a little bit by getting right down to it and reading Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings.  I loved The Secret Life of Bees, and since Oprah picked it as her new Oprah 2.0 Book Club Selection, it has been reviewed by nearly everyone.




And I am here to confirm that The Invention of Wings will not disappoint.  Told by alternating narrators, Sarah Grimke is just eleven when her parents gift her with a house slave, Handful.  Even as a child Sarah knows slavery is wrong, and there are many things her parents believe in that she disagrees with. Sarah would also love to go to college and pursue a career in law, but instead she must follow the conventions of society.  The one bright spot in her life is her younger sister, Angelina. She is able to teach Angelina her own values, and as the two girls grow up, they both are firm in their anti-slavery beliefs, eventually speaking out against the practice.

Handful and her mauma Charlotte are the valued slaves of the Grimke family. Mrs. Grimke is not always the easiest woman to work for, but the two enjoy a fairly stable life on the Grimke plantation. Charlotte dreams of being free one day and when both Sarah and Handful are still children, instructs Sarah that she should free Handful someday.  Charlotte likes to sneak off of the plantation and is clever enough to hire herself out so she is able to earn money on the side that she puts away with the dream of eventually buying her freedom.

Neither Sarah nor Handful have the lives they dreamed of living.  Sarah Grimke was an advocate for slaves, spending her life working for their freedom.  I love the historical fiction genre, but knowing that this novel was based on real people and events made it even more interesting and meaningful.

I can't imagine anyone who reads The Invention of Wings not being totally swept up in this story.  Amazing! 

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Sunday Salon





The weather is warmer today and there is finally some melting happening.  The main focus of the day (aside from the fact that we lost an hour of sleep) has been putting in our floor.



The girls rip up the flooring last week



We put new flooring down today.  The floor project has just started, and there is no way it is getting done today - or maybe not until next weekend, but progress is occurring.



Little Sister has enjoyed closing herself in our new appliance garage - a new activity since the counters were installed on Friday.



Middle Sister and some volleyball friends at Saturday's tournament


Middle Sister serving

I can't believe we have had an entire weekend filled with busy-ness. I've also run a few errands, and tried to read The Social Code by Sadie Hayes, a YA novel.  I'm not cooking anything since my oven isn't even plugged in right now, and am nearly ready to take Little Sister and the friend she has had over today (along with Big Sis, and Middle Sister) to get ice cream at our new ice cream place in town.  I think CHAOS is the adjective I would use to describe our lives right now.

I'm hoping I can make it through this coming week, because next week is spring break! Happy Sunday, friends!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Picture Book Treasures

I always feel a little bit guilty about "just reading" to my classes that I teach. However, I have read enough research to know that read alouds are critical experiences for children to have.  

The Iowa Goldfinch nominees are a great collection of picture books (with a few easy readers and one beginning chapter book this year) that students usually love hearing.  Last year I began the project of reading all of the Goldfinch award contenders aloud to grades K-2 and having them vote on their favorite.

Realistically this takes a few weeks.  I began the project again this week and selected three picture books to share:


The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine is the first picture book I read aloud to each class. Ming and his parents are poor and in need of food. He is instructed to trade in some eggs for a bit of rice. Instead, on his way to town, Ming is convinced by an old man he meets on the way to trade the eggs for an old rusty wok with no handle.

This wok proves to be different from any other wok, as it travels between Ming's house and that of the richest man in Beijing.  The wok brings food, toys, and money to the poor Chinese family, who promptly turn around and share it with their friends.  

I loved reading this book aloud - especially to the first and second graders. Depending on the class, I felt it was stretching my kindergarten students a bit (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).  I also had a few random fourth graders listening in on the Runaway Wok; these older students especially enjoyed this story.  

Press Here by Herve Tullet is not a new title to me. In fact, I ordered it before it was even published. But this was the first time I read it to so many classes.  And what a fun book to read aloud! Students who were not paying attention before I began reading, were glued to this book.  It was exciting to watch my classes get so involved in a book and fun to have such an interactive read aloud.  

For those not knowing anything about Press Here....the book begins by having the reader press the yellow dot.  When the page is turned, the one yellow dot becomes two.  The reader is then asked to press the dot again, and now there are three dots.  By pressing the dots, rubbing them, blowing on them, and clapping the dots expand, move, and shift.  

My younger students were convinced I was performing magic (how sad it was when I showed them that the changed happened even if I didn't follow the directions given).  I wasn't sure about my second grade audience enjoying this one, but they liked it so much that I went ahead and read it to third grade - who might have been the most interested and engaged grade I shared it with.

I'm thinking this is a great gift book I need to remember to share with nieces and nephews.  


The third picture book I shared this past week is The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson.  Wilson writes the Bear Snores On series that I so enjoy.  I love the rhyming text of this book, which tells the story of the many farm animals and the foods they eat....but the cow loves cookies. With the repeating refrain, my audience was able to chime in and help tell the story with me.

I like all three of these books, but my classes were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite of the three books I read (my very low tech voting method is giving each child a sticky note to place on the book they liked best) and Press Here won by an overwhelming amount.  

Next week I will be sharing Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and Blackout by John Rocco.

Click here for the Iowa Goldfinch 2013-14 nominees.