School vacation this Christmas in Maine has been one for the books.  As I write this, many of my friends are going on Day 4 with no power.  An ice storm hit the central part of our state leaving many of us in the dark and cold. I was one of the lucky ones who had power restored after a day, just enough time to have a taste for ‘the good old days’.  With no electronics (other than an iPhone) my options for entertainment were seriously scaled back.  Luckily, one of my favorite activities requires no more power than a candle puts out…READING.  I had already signed on for the #BookaDay Challenge and so I snuggled up with my dogs, cats, blankets and fireplace with some good books.

It’s not too late to join in on the Book a Day Challenge.  There are no parameters for what books you have to read.  You set your own start and stop.  You choose whatever books you want to read: professional, picture books, YA, adult, nonfiction, poetry anthologies, etc.  It’s an average so if it takes you a few days to read a novel, you could add in some shorter books on other days.  If you are interested in some of the best picture books of 2013 you might want to check out The Nerdy Book Club’s 2013 Fiction Picture Book Winners.  

So just start reading and if you are on Twitter just use the hashtag #bookaday to post what you are reading.  If you are on Facebook you could post there as well.  You could also post in my comments section what you are reading and any recommendations!  It’s just a great time to read and build up a reading community!

A reminder-there are so many holiday books that we bring out for our families.  They are like time capsules that we revisit for a short time each December.  Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean we have to put them away immediately.  Spend some time with these ‘old friends’ this week.  Take pics of your kiddos reading to capture these moments in time…they grow up so fast!  Create memories around books that will stay with your family forever.

What’s on My Book Radar?

I’m getting caught up on some of my picture book reading.  With the Caldecott’s being awarded next month I wanted to read some of the books getting buzz right now.  These were available at my local library and I have many more ordered up on reserve.

Here are some book trailers and information to invite you into these wonderful books!  Feel free to comment on books you think should be considered for Caldecott Awards this January!

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Hello, Hello by Matthew Cordell

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman

Little Red Writing by Joan Holub

A Splash of Red by Jen Bryant

Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives by Lola Schaefer

You can find me on Twitter @LitCoachLady or on Facebook at LitCoachCorner

HAPPY READING!