Wednesday, December 11, 2024

162-164 Three Picture Books

162. How To Draw a Brave Chicken. Ethan T. Berlin. Illustrated by Jimbo Matison. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Chickens are known for being....well...chicken, but follow these simple directions and you can draw a brave chicken. 

Premise/plot: This book delivers...in more ways than one. It shows YOU the reader how to draw a chicken, but not only a chicken, a BRAVE chicken that is ready-not-ready for all sorts of thrilling adventures. As the story continues--and the drawing--it gets sillier and sillier. 

My thoughts: I LOVED this silly book. I do have a weakness for chicken-themed picture books. So many great chicken characters exist in children's literature. This one definitely was enjoyable, fun, and SILLY. I think it would be a great read aloud to share with young children. 

163. I Am Wriggly. Michael Rosen. Illustrated by Robert Starling. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book]

First sentence: I am wriggly. Really wriggly. Wriggly, wriggly, wriggly, wriggly. I'm so wriggly....my whiskers wiggle, my ears jiggle, I wriggle on my chair, I wriggle with my bear, I wriggle around and around, I wriggle on the ground.

Premise/plot: Michel Rosen's new picture book features a pink bunny with a LOT of energy. He's an energized bunny, for sure.  

My thoughts: This one is a silly book featuring some rhymes and little punctuation. (The use of commas instead of periods was a choice for sure. Will kids care about this horrible run-on sentence? Definitely not. Probably.) This one could work with children as a read aloud if you, the reader, bring all the energy and drama.

164. Merry Whatmas? Eoin McLaughlin. Illustrated by Polly Dunbar. 2023. 34 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book, holiday, animal fantasy, friendship]

First sentence: "Merry Christmas!" said Fox. "Merry what-mas?" said Hedgehog. "Merry which-mas?" said Tortoise. It was their first Christmas, so they didn't know what Christmas was. 

Premise/plot: Apparently this is the sixth book in a series starring lovely animal characters. This one in particular is holiday-themed. Hedgehog and Tortoise are not at all sure they approve of this thing called Christmas--at least not as described by each of their friends. It's all a bit much...can these two friends find a way to make it work?

My thoughts: I wish I'd been familiar with other books in the series. I think I might have had more attachment to the characters and their friendships. I do know that I still LOVE AND ADORE Polly Dunbar's illustrations. I am not new to her work. The illustrations of this one are so super cute and adorable. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Friday, December 6, 2024

158-161. Four early chapter books about Barbie

158. Barbie in the 1960s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books] 

First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.

Premise/plot: There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series). 

The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.)

The second chapter has nothing at all to do with Barbie, but takes on history summing up an entire decade in a few paragraphs. The chapter, of course, doesn't really offer much depth or complexity to any topic.

The third chapter focuses back on Barbie. Despite the chapter title being called Barbie Fashion, it would be better summed up as focusing on Barbie's transformations throughout the decade. Her first decade saw a lot of change--in her hair, her body, and yes, her fashion. 

The fourth chapter focuses on Barbie's "big steps." In this particular book, Barbie's careers AND the introduction of Black barbies. 

There are suggested activities which make the book feel like homework. (Just being honest).

My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.

159. Barbie in the 1970s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books]

First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.

Premise/plot:  There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series). 

The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series. 

The second chapter is the history chapter. 

The third chapter again claims to be about fashion but it goes beyond that. These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.

The fourth chapter is essentially a continuation of the third chapter...except we're supposed to see how Barbie is mirroring the real world. (Olympic Barbie, Camper Van)

My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.

160. Barbie in the 1980s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books]

First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.

Premise/plot:  There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series). 

The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series. 

The second chapter is the history chapter. 

The third chapter is the "fashion chapter" but again it's not a good fit. These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.

The fourth chapter is titled iconic Barbies. Indeed there were some iconic Barbies from this decade.

My thoughts:  I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. However, I just have to say that THERE ARE MISTAKES. BIG MISTAKES. THE "CRYSTAL BARBIE" IS not Crystal Barbie. Wrong face, wrong hair, wrong earrings, wrong dress. Crystal Barbie, in my opinion, is iconic. The doll photographed looks likes a 90s doll.

The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.

 161. Barbie in the 1990s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter book]

First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.

Premise/plot:  There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series). 

The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series. 

The second chapter is the history chapter.  Or "history" chapter. This one was all about women entering politics and technological advances.

The third chapter is the "fashion chapter." These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.

The fourth chapter is just more of the same--highlighting more Barbie releases. (Olympics! President!)

 My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.


© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

157. All at Once Upon a Time

157. All at Once Upon a Time. Mara Rockliff. Illustrated by Gladys Jose. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Review copy, picture book, humor] [5 stars]

First sentence: Once upon a time (now, tell me if you've heard this one before), locked up in a tower, lived a princess with the longest....

Premise/plot: Looking for an over-the-top SILLY book that makes as much sense as any fantastical dream? All At Once Upon a Time thrives on the dot, dot, dot for fracturing ALL the fairy/folk tales that ever could be. (Well, most of them. More than you might expect in just forty-eight pages). 

My thoughts: This one is ridiculously silly and sometimes that kind of humor can be a very good thing. This would be a GREAT fit for teachers who are required to teach fairy/folk tale units that also include a WRITING section where kids have to write their own twisted tale. 

Because this one can be expanded upon in classrooms, it goes beyond the traditional audience you might expect. I think it builds upon a knowledge of the originals. 

 I definitely enjoyed it! Just a few of the fairy tales it fractures:

  • Rapunzel
  • Pinocchio
  • Jack and the Beanstalk
  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Three Little Pigs
  • Cinderella
  • The Frog Prince

The illustrations feature even more.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

155-156 Two Christmas Books

155. Board book: Dog's First Christmas. Natalie Nelson. 2024. 28 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, Christmas, pets, babies] [4 stars]

First sentence: Season's greetings! I am Dog. This is Baby. And it is Christmastime. A tree comes to live with us at this time of year. See this ball? It's not for fetching. See these branches? They're not for tugging.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A dog and a baby having their first Christmas. It provides young ones with this perspective--Christmas through the eyes of a dog. The text is simple, yet not too simple. The illustrations are also on the simple, understated side for the most part. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I think there's also a cat-themed Christmas book which I'd be interested in reading at some point. If you love babies and pets and Christmas, this one is a fun title to share with the youngest of readers. 

156.  Santa Mouse Finds a Friend. Michael Brown. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, Christmas] [3 stars]

First sentence: At Christmastime when Santa Claus flies his sleigh from house to house, he brings along a little a friend, a friend who we all know as Santa Mouse. Each year they travel far and wide to visit all good girls and boys, arriving while the world's asleep with gifts of books and games and toys.

Premise/plot: Santa Mouse returns in this newest Christmas-themed picture book by Michael Brown. Santa and Santa Mouse are traveling via sleigh on Christmas Eve when the pair spots a kitten in trouble. What will they do? Will this kitten be saved?

My thoughts: The illustrations are SUPER adorable. I was less impressed with the text itself. It was fine. If you have a little one that LOVES kittens or cats, this one might be worth it for the illustrations alone. OR if you happen to be familiar with the Santa Mouse character.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

154. The Most Boring Book Ever

154. The Most Boring Book Ever. Brandon Sanderson. Illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars, unreliable narrator, read between the lines]

First sentence: A boy sat in a chair. That's it. He just sat in the chair. Sitting in chairs is boring.

Teachers and librarians may love, love, love this one to read aloud. Perhaps. It would definitely be one for teaching children to READ BETWEEN THE LINES and learn the concept that not all narrators are reliable or trustworthy. The illustrations, of course, steal the show--rightly so. 

I knew it would be a silly, over-the-top adventure and I was all in. I did enjoy it. It shows a certain kind of humor.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers