Children's Literature

I am grateful for children's literature.
All sorts.
Picture books, chapter books, fiction, non-fiction and everything in-between.
It should be no surprise, I am an elementary teacher.
There are a few that I like more thank others, but it is hard to remember all the names while I am typing here and not in the moment of planning and reading for my students.

The reason I am choosing to write about this today is because my son is knee-deep into Harry Potter.  He is on book 5 and loving every minute of it.  He and his Dad have been reading for the past 3 years (on and off) and now that CJ is a 5th grader, he and his Dad are enjoying talking about the finer points of the series.  Carlos and I are having a hard time not revealing the ending books!  I do love those books! 

I like that since my son is older now and my students know CJ (he goes to the same school I teach at) that it has been fun sharing what he is interested have been/are over the years with my students.  Anyway, I have been reading some great children's lit. Our fabulous librarian is always recommending something to me (she says she has a stack of 20 books by her bed at all times)  and I enjoy every book she has given me. 

I have to admit, I have been mostly concentrating on picture books the last few years, but this summer I ventured into chapter books.  Shamefully I have to admit that I rarely remember author names (but I am happy to remember most titles!)  I should buy some small notebook or something? 

Remembering Mrs. Rossi--tear-jerker, lovely and sweet
Cryptid Hunters--fast, fun, adventure
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane--kind, friendly, mysterious
Gooney Bird Greene--cute, funny, helpful

These are just a few, I know, but if I went on...well I would go on and on and on and feel like I need to start another blog just to list great children's lit!  I am sure that has already been done!

So, JK Rowling has inspired yet another reader (my son) and yet more conversations (between my son, my husband and I (not to mention my mom and sister and I)  Did I mention that my sister and I would wait until midnight on the eve of the new book releases to get our copies?  We have seen almost all the movies on their opening night?  And...that after I speedily read book 6, she was a still reading and as we would soak up the rays in the backyard I would read to her?  That was fun. Seriously.

Maybe I will be a children's author some day? I have always had the storyline in my head about clouds.  Hmmm...something to ponder at a later date.

Must get to reading!