It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and adapted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts with a children’s/YA focus. The Sunday Post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. These weekly roundups are a great way to discover new blogs and bloggers, share some of the titles you’ve been enjoying, and add to your ever-growing to-read list.
Happy B.C. day! If you missed my post yesterday, be sure to go and check it out, it’s a list of some fantastic kidlit authors and illustrators who are based right here in my very own home province!
In a story reminiscent of the classic Disney film Lady and the Tramp, Luis and Tabitha tells the story of two star-crossed lovers, Luis the alley cat and Tabitha the pampered indoor cat. When the two felines fall in love, nothing will stop Luis from being with Tabitha – not a glass sliding door, not a disapproving owner, not the fact that he’s an outdoor cat and she’s an indoor cat. True love always finds a way!
This is a very attractive picture book, with charming illustrations that have a lovely vintage feel to them. The feline protagonists are adorable, the human characters are diverse, and the love story is very sweet.
A puuurfect picture book for cat lovers and fans of classic Disney films!
Source: Raincoast Books
Given that my blog is called Raincity Librarian and I have an entire gallery of photos taken at libraries around the world, it should come as no surprise that I really love libraries. So of course, any book set in a library is automatically going to be off to a good start in my books (ha ha). Lost in the Library follows Patience and Fortitude, the two stone lion statues that rest outside of one of the branches of the New York Public Library. At night, Patience and Fortitude come to life, but they must be back on their pedestals by the time dawn breaks. Early one morning, Fortitude wakes to find that Patience is gone! Where could he be? Fortitude must explore the library to find his friend before it’s too late!
This charming story is reminiscent of the film Night at the Museum, in which exhibits at a museum come to life at night, but must return to their original places by daybreak. It’s a fun concept, and one that could lead to some really interesting discussions with children – imagine that everything in your school or library came to life at night! What kind of adventures might they get up to?
One thing I really appreciated about Lost in the Library was the fact sheet included at the back of the book. I’ve never been to New York City and really know very little about the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in which the story is set, so having this fact sheet is very helpful in getting the most out of the features mentioned in the story.
There’s a beautiful luminosity to Stevie Lewis’ illustrations, and Josh Funk’s rhyming text never feels forced or drags like some longer rhyming texts can. Lost in the Library is a lovely ode to friendship, stories, and of course, libraries.
Source: Raincoast Books
Every Sunday Mrs. Badger walks the same path through the forest and up to Sugarloaf Peak. One day she meets a curious little kitten named Lulu. Lulu would very much like to see the top of Sugarloaf Peak, but is doubtful that her little legs will make it all the way up the hill. Mrs. Badger is both wise and kind, and she believes in her new friend, even when Lulu herself isn’t so sure. Time passes by, and Mrs. Badger grows old and tired, but Lulu is there to carry on Mrs. Badger’s walks, and to spread her kindness and wisdom.
I have loved many of Marianne Dubuc’s previous books, so it isn’t too surprising that I love this one as well. There’s a wonderfully quiet gentleness to Up the Mountain Path, a comforting softness in both the text and the illustrations. In a way, it feels like the picture book equivalent of a warm embrace from a loving grandmother – comforting, wise, gentle and strong. A beautiful picture book to savor and share.
Source: Raincoast Books
I hope everyone is having a beautiful B.C. day today, whether you’re lucky enough to call this province home or not!
I’m really looking forward to Lost in the Library! And not just because Night at the Museum is one of my families favorite movie series. 😉 I hope, hope, hope we get a copy of this book, locally. Thanks for sharing, Jane!
I loved Night at the Museum too, being a life-long museum nerd. 🙂
Up the Mountain Path looks so lovely! I am not a rhyming fan, but I always like Josh Funk’s books and have a soft spot for books set in libraries too.
I feel the same way about rhyme, I find it works well for short books for babies and toddlers, but for longer books it can just get repetitive and boring! But Josh Funk seems to have a good way with rhyme. 🙂
Luis and Tabitha looks very cute. I can’t wait for Lost in the Library. I have it on pre hold at my library so hopefully I will get it pretty quickly. I worked in the city for years and my bus stop was right in front of the library with Patience and Fortitude in front of it. I used to watch tourists take pictures with them every day.
Oh, that’s so cool! I’ve never been to New York, but hopefully one day I will, it just looks and sounds so exciting.
I got a sneak peek of Lost in the Library at a conference last April and I think it’s wonderful. I’m not familiar with the other two books, but they both sound like they’re worth checking out.
One of the great things about being on a local book distributor’s PR list is that I get sneak peeks at so many amazing upcoming books I might never otherwise have seen! 🙂
I know about Josh Funk’s new book, but the other two are new to me, Jane. Thank you. They sound great. And I bookmarked your post yesterday, will return to look for more of those books, some of which I have read and enjoyed! Thanks for that, too!
I was so impressed by the amount of talent living right in my hometown!
Looks like a good list of picture books, especially Luis and Tabitha! I’m a sucker for cat books! Have a great week!
Me too! Once a cat lady, always a cat lady 😀
Hope you enjoyed your holiday and are enjoying your books! Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment!
Sue
2018 Big Book Summer Challenge
Luis and Tabitha looks so cute and charming! Plus I really love cats. And I also like the look of Lost in A Library! All of your books feature cats this week, ha ha!