Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet*

Through meaningful collages and excerpts from E.B. White's letters, Melissa Sweet reveals the life of this much celebrated author.  As I read this book, I found myself savoring the words and illustrations, not wanting the book to end.
E.B. White's granddaughter, Martha White, fully supported Ms. Sweet's project and was a resource to Ms. Sweet.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat*

Mo Willems has collaborated with Mr. Santat to create a new series called Elephant and Piggie Like Reading!.  Elephant and Piggie pick up a favorite book and invite the reader to read along with them (the book they are reading is by Dan Santat).
My first grader loved this book!  This is his review.
"I liked when the hippo split up the cookies and made it equal among the friends.  I also liked at the end when the cow brought milk because there were only three glasses of milk to share with four friends.  Now there is a milk fiasco!!".
A delightful new series for beginning readers.  Perfect for Reader's theater.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

This third book by Jon Klassen continues the hat theme.
Two turtles in a desert find a hat lying on the sand.  They both want it.  How can they solve this predicament? Although the text is simple (perfect for beginning readers), the text offers older readers the chance to infer and to think.
Strategies: fluency (two readers could read the two different parts); inferring
-Borrowed from the library.

Before Morning by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Beth Krommes

The scratch-board art combined with water color drew me to this book (plus I really like this author/illustrator team).
Though the text is sparse, the thoughts it provokes are numerous.  It provides a lot of opportunities to infer.
A mother leaves for her job as a pilot, longing to be home with her daughter and husband.  A snow storm creates a wonderland, making wishes come true.
The author's note adds insight on her purpose for writing the book and provides a springboard for discussion.
Strategy: inferring
Mentor text for writing invocation poetry.
-Borrowed from the library.
I own Swirl by Swirl by this author/illustrator team and also Winter Bees and Red Sings from Treetops by Ms. Sidman.

Apples to Robins by Lucie Felix*

With die-cut pages, Ms. Felix engages the reader with her ability to take space and shapes to create amazing illustrations.  The reader watches an apple tree go through its cycles and a robin raise a family.
A great book to reinforce shape recognition.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.