28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

 

28. The Baby Who Stayed Away Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5 stars]

First sentence: In the light of the moon, a little baby lay fast asleep. HA! Yeah, right! Not this baby! Sleeping is for koalas and teenagers. This baby intended to stay awake forever. At 8 o'clock, Mama said, "Good night, sweetie." Papa said, "Sweet dreams, little one." Sister said, "See you in the morning." BAby said: GA! 

Premise/plot: A family struggles with a baby--though NOT a newborn or young infant--who refuses [strong headed, strong willed] to sleep through the night. Trying to get the baby asleep is a family affair--mother, father, sister. [The neighbor, well, can't escape the consequences of everyone's choices.] 

My thoughts: Who is this book for? I think it is 100% for parents and older siblings. I think it is a humorous, relatable story--if not slightly exaggerated to most people's reality. It is on the text-heavy side. But there are plenty of silly illustrations as well. (Such as when the baby decides to throw a DANCE PARTY). (Another favorite scene is when readers get a 'meanwhile' glimpse of the neighbor who just decided to get up in the middle of the night. He's eating a bowl of cereal and is resigned to his fate.) (Yet another favorite image is when Mama is trying to cuddle baby. If you know you know. Seriously though that could be for most of these illustrations.)

Is this book for babies and toddlers? Perhaps not as much as for those slightly older. I do think it would be a silly read aloud for the whole family. I think with a little practice, this one could be acted superbly.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

27. How To Make a Bedtime

  

27. How To Make a Bedtime. Meg McKinlay. Illustrated by Karen Blair. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, bedtime books]

First sentence: When the sun's light is fading
and night's on the rise,
it's time to start yawning
your sleepy goodbyes.
Time for snuggling and snoozing
and slumbering now.
Time for making your bedtime,
and I'll show you how.

Premise/plot: On the surface, this looks like your typical, super-cozy, predictable bedtime story book to share with the little ones in your life. On the surface. In many ways it is indeed just that. However, the 'parent' is a bear and the 'child' is, well, human. I would have personally preferred both to be bears OR both to be human. Perhaps it is a silly element that is supposed to be super delightful and charming? 

The parent and child go through a bedtime routine--that's it.

My thoughts: I mostly enjoyed the narrative. It has a certain delightful playfulness in terms of language. 'Rosily warm,' 'deliciously dry,' 'cloud-soft pajamas,' 'pillow-peeking,' 'purpling sighs,' etc. I think the narrative may prove lyrical and soothing--just the right sort of book to read aloud. (Only parents who have read this one aloud to their little ones could say definitely one way or another.)

What I personally did not quite like is the random BOLDING of certain words in the text. Like WHY. Seriously WHY. Are parents supposed to put emphasis on those words? Are they hints as to when to take a breath? When to pause? Do they serve any purpose whatsoever except to be NOT REGULAR.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

26. I Have Three Cats...

 

26. I Have Three Cats. Michelle Sumovich. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, cats, pets, 3 stars]

First sentence: I have three cats--
Big, Little, and
Middle--in charge
of my backyard.
But that surprise over there?
She's not mine.
Not at all.

Premise/plot: I Have Three Cats is a story of a girl slowly but surely accepting a fourth cat--a rescue cat--into her family. The 'strange' cat, the 'surprise' cat does not make the best first impression. In fact, the little girl seems angry and out of sorts.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. It wasn't my favorite or best even though it features FOUR cats. I didn't find it "a surprising, humorous" story. I found the girl a bit mean. IT is a thawing-of-the-heart story.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle

 

25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle. Sasha Mayer. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, cats, jealousy, toys, picture book]

First sentence: This is Squash. Squash is a sleeping in-the-sunshine, celebrating-from-the-sidelines, and then a nap-in-the-lap kind of cat. 

Premise/plot: Squash loves Maggie--his human. Maggie loves Squash too. They are the best, best, best of friends....until.....PIRATE LOU appears on the scene. This is a PIRATE stuffed animal. Now Squash is having HIS space invaded. Can Squash make peace with this new.....thing.....on Maggie's lap, Maggie's bed, etc.

My thoughts: If Squash wasn't so absolutely DELIGHTFULLY adorably illustrated would I rate this one so high?????? The world will never know because Squash IS so adorable and irresistible. The story is simple enough--jealousy. But it's also told in a fun and cute way.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat.

 

[Board Book] 24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [board books, cats]

First sentence: Hi, cat. Bye, cat. LOUD cat. Shy cat. One cat. Four cats. Even more cats!

Premise/plot: Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat is a BOARD book for cat-loving babies. Well, for the youngest of 'readers' whose caregivers love cats. It is written in rhyme. The illustrations are super-bold and colorful. There isn't much text per page--which makes it a great fit for the youngest readers. It's a silly book with plenty of illustrated cats. It also features opposites.

My thoughts: I love, love, love cats. I do. This one was fun and joyful. I enjoyed it.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers