reading without walls

Have you all taken the Reading Without Walls challenge yet?  National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang encourages us to “find something new and different to read — and let books open up the world around you.”  Here are three ways to read without walls:

1. Read a book about a CHARACTER who doesn’t look like you or live like you.

2. Read a book about a TOPIC you don’t know much about.

3. Read a book in a FORMAT that you don’t normally read for fun. This might be a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse, a picture book, or a hybrid book.

Be sure to download the Reading Without Walls Activity Kit here.  We'd love to see what everyone is reading — don’t forget to tag your photos with #ReadingWithoutWalls!

that neighbor kid

So lovely and sincere, this almost wordless picture book from Daniel Miyares is about neighbors becoming friends and creative endeavors that arise in a free and unfettered childhood.  Warm colors begin to brighten the mostly gray palette throughout the book as the two neighbors’ acquaintance evolves into a rich friendship.  A perfect book to usher in the coming summer.

That Neighborhood Kid was written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

What Avery's Reading

#whataverysreading as of late — cats in space, a baseball player turned princess, a trio of orphans suffering a series of unfortunate events, middle school super heroes, an exceptionally terrible pranking duo, a kid genius-scientist and of course, her absolute favorite, Lunch Lady.  Direct quote from Avery — “Lunch Lady can’t be beat.”

the blue songbird

A gentle, graceful story of a young songbird's journey to find her voice, set in exquisite watercolors.  The Blue Songbird was originally inspired by a Japanese woodblock print.  Written and illustrated by Vern Kousky and published by Running Press.

goldfish ghost

"It can be hard to find the company you are looking for."  Yesterday we got a chance to meet one of our favorite illustrators, Lisa Brown.  She and Lemony Snicket read from their new book, Goldfish Ghost.  It’s a quiet, beautiful and contemplative story about friendship, loneliness and belonging.  We love Lisa’s thoughtful approach as an artist and picture book maker, and we very much look forward to her future work.

Goldfish Ghost was written by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Lisa Brown and published by Roaring Brook Press.