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).
Our July – September 2021 reading theme:
Binge-Read: Book Series Marathon
We are on the look-out for books that fit the following deliberately-nebulous criteria:
- Books that are part of an ongoing series
- Themed stories: books that are technically not part of a series, but fit a specific theme – e.g. intergenerational stories, nature-themed stories
- Short story collections
- Narratives of a similar genre
- Stories written by same author
The Old Truck [Amazon | Book Depository]
Written and Illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Norton Young Readers (2020)
ISBN: 9781324005193 (ISBN10: 132400519X) Literary Award: Ezra Jack Keats Book Award 2021. Borrowed from Overdrive. Book photos taken by me.
The Old Boat [Amazon | Book Depository]
Written and Illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Norton Young Readers (2021)
ISBN: 9781324005179 (ISBN10: 1324005173). Borrowed from Overdrive. Book photos taken by me.
Published one year apart, the Pumphrey brothers are definitely on a roll. Told in an almost wordless narrative, these two narratives depict family, the passing of time, generations of love and caring, rootedness, and connections.

I appreciated the subversion of gender roles in both picturebooks – I love the grandma who fishes in The Old Boat and this young lady who drives the truck fearlessly in The Old Truck.

There is also a vintage type of simplicity in the narratives, a quiet truth, and the full expectation of all hands pitching in to help – no idle hands in these stories. Both are lovely and would generate deeper conversations in the hands of a skilled teacher facilitator.
#SurvivalStories2021 Update: 73-74 out of target 100
Both of these books look like such beautiful stories! I love the subversion of gender roles you mention, and the illustrations look lovely too. It looks like I can get a copy of The Old Truck on Libby, so I’ll read that soon!
By the way, I’m not sure if your post went up on the #IMWAYR roundup today. Thanks so much for the great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those books look absolutely charming with sweet stories and lovely artwork.
Visiting from IMWAYR #36
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adored both of these books!
LikeLiked by 1 person