Myra here.
It’s Monday, What are You Reading is a meme hosted by Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers (new host of Monday reading: Kathryn T at Book Date). Since two of our friends, Linda from Teacher Dance and Tara from A Teaching Life have been joining this meme for quite awhile now, we thought of joining this warm and inviting community.
I thought it would be good to pair these two fun picturebooks that playfully feature beds for would-be princesses and winter babies.
A Big Bed For Little Snow [Amazon | Book Depository]
Written and Illustrated by Grace Lin
Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers (2019)
ISBN: 0316478369 (ISBN13: 9780316478366). Borrowed through Singapore NLB Overdrive. Book photos taken by me.
As a child, I do not really remember jumping on the bed – I don’t think our beds were as fluffy and feathery as that of Little Snow’s.
I think what resonated with me most of all was the sense of mischief glinting in Little Snow’s eye. Despite his mother’s clear injunctions and her inevitable Thump, Thump, Thump it appears that the bed is practically begging to be jumped on!
The twist in the end puts a mythical, fable-like quality to the story. However, just taking it at face value with the evident warmth between mother and child, and the playful mischief of Little Snow works just as well.
La Princesa And The Pea [Amazon | Book Depository]
Written by Susan Middleton Elya Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books For Young Readers (2017)
ISBN: 0399251561 (ISBN13: 9780399251566). Literary Award: Pura Belpré Award for Illustrator (2018). Borrowed through Singapore NLB Overdrive. Book photos taken by me.
I am a fan of Juana Martinez-Neal’s art since I read and reviewed her Alma And How She Got Her Name (Amazon | Book Depository). This one did not disappoint with the beloved tale The Princess And The Pea being slightly turned over on its head, in delightful bilingual fashion.
The story has all the familiar elements embedded into it, but I like how the Prince was portrayed to be a mama’s boy, but also with his own wits about him. The unfamiliar Spanish words did not detract at all from the narrative, but contributed a lilting, whimsical, lyrical quality to the story – more than anything.
I especially enjoyed the twist in the end – and how a Western fairy tale has been re-envisioned in such a fun and convincing manner. Definitely two picturebooks that you should find and read aloud to your young ones.
#ReadIntl2020 Update: 4 of 30 (country): Peru (Illustrator Juana Martinez Neal is originally from Peru. |
Language: Spanish (bilingual) | Grace Lin (POC author)
Gathering Books 
Both of these sound wonderful!
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I shared A Big Bed for Little Snow today, too, Myra, so.much,fun! I think The Princesa and The Pea looks great, love when an old story becomes new again! Thanks!
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The Princesa and the Pea looks gorgeous! And my library has it! Can’t wait to check it out.
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My parents constantly yelled at us for jumping on the bed, so I guess mine was soft. Both of these books look adorable. I hope you have a great week!
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I’m going to keep these in mind for gifts for my nieces!
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A Big Bed for Little Snow looks cute. My weekly update
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They are both really cute. I do remember jumping on the bed, and the mischief was probably present in my eyes as well. I am also a fan of Juana Martinez Neal, but haven’t found this one yet. I will have to look for it. Thanks for the great shares.
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Do you listen to Grace Lin’s Book Friends Forever podcast? It’s great.
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I just ordered A Big Bed for Little Snow from my library. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!
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La Princessa looks so beautiful!!
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Oh yes, I well remember the days of jumping on the bed. Those metal springs made it nearly impossible to refuse the temptation. LOL And I just recently came across La Princesa And The Pea — the artwork is just so lovely and a wonderful attribute for an important bilingual picture book. Thanks for these shares, Myra!
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I’ll admit I jumped on the bed as a child. lol. See what I read Girl Who Reads
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