I am always interested in reading books about reading books. Some titles listed below are framed on children reading books. Other titles are targeted towards adults who enjoy reading books (children’s literature and /or otherwise) and who are inspired to reflect upon how books help shape our lives – and our teachings. Listed alphabetically by author, the titles are featured using a colour code:
- Children’s Literature
- Non fiction for grown-ups
WILD THINGS: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature As an Adult by Bruce Handy.
I had to own this book, a tribute to American book classics (e.g., Where the Wild Things Are, The Cat in the Hat, The Runaway Bunny) and a reflection on how children’s books have been – and need to be – significant to shaping the tastes of those who choose to read Children’s Literature (and other books)
I’D RATHER BE READING: A library of art for book lovers by Guinevere de la Mare
A small books with short essays, poems, photos, quotations and illustrations celebrating the pleasure of reading. The following message that ends the book gave me food for thought (p. 94)…
ALL BOOKS ARE SELF-HELP TECHNICALLY.
THE LOSERS CLUB by Andrew Clements
Alec is addicted to books. He is always reading books in class and as a result he doesn’t pay attention to his teachers. When he’s forbidden to read books at school, Alec invents an after school club where he plans to be the only member except more and more kids are lured to join ‘The Losers Club’. Hooray for the Alec’s in the world! Hooray for Andrew Clements!
BAN THIS BOOK by Alan Gratz
Who gets to decide what books can read? One of the school parents complains about certain books that should be banned from the school library (e.g. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) because they are not appropriate to read. Amy Anne Ollinger (and friends) is determined to fight back and initiates a secret banned-books library out of her locker which ignites a school-wide storm of book reading.
READING WITH PATRICK: A teacher, a student, and a life-changing friendship by Michelle Kuo
When asked to persuade someone to read Reading With Patrick in 50 words or less, Michelle Kuo said: “It’s an intimate story about the failure of the education and criminal justice system and the legacy of slavery; about how literature is for everyone, how books connect people, and the hopte that with enough openness and generosity we can do the hard work of knowing each other and ourselves.” (The New York Times, July 30. 2017)
LAUGH OUT LOUD by James Patterson with Chris Grabenstein
Jimmy wants to make reading fun for kids because “the more reading is fun, the more it gets done! and so he is determined to fulfill a dream despite the pessimism from the grown-ups in his life and build the most incredible book company in the entire world. Filtered throughout Laugh Out Loud is references to popular children’s literature titles. And of course, there is a meta aspect to this book since Jimmy is really the prolific (and popular) author of such books as The Middle School, I Funny, The House of Robots and the Daniel X series of books.
MY LIFE WITH BOB: Flawed Heroine Keeps Books of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul
For over twenty-eight years, the author has kept a single book, a journal that serves as a record for every book she’s read. BOB is Pamela Paul’s Book of Books. By reading about the author’s book choices, perspectives and relationships with those texts, readers are encouraged to contemplate their own choices and connections to books.
READ! READ! READ!: Poems by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater; Illus. Ryan O’Rourke
Poems about all kinds of reading including cereal boxes, maps, road signs, magazines and birthday cards.
An open book
will help you find
an open heart
an open mind
inside yourself
if you’re inclined
An open book
will make you kind.
SHOUT OUT
Best Illustrated Books of 2017
(according to the New York Times, Sunday November 12, 2017)
ON A MAGICAL DO NOTHING DAY by Beatrice Alemagna
FRIDA AND HER ANIMALITOS by Monica Brown, Illus. John Parra
FEATHER by Remi Courgeon
KING OF THE SKY by Nicola Davies, Illus. Laura Carlin
MUDDY: The story of blue legend Muddy Waters by Michael Mahin, Illus. Evan Turk
A RIVER by Marc Martin
THE WAY HOME IN THE NIGHT by Akiko Miyakoshi
A TOWN BY THE SEA by Joanne Schwartz, Illus. Sydney Smith
PLUME by Isabelle Simler
RUTH BADER GINSBURG: The Case of R.B.G vs Inequality by Jonah Winter; Illus. Stacey Innerset