32. Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville

 

32. Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville. Sylvie Kantorovitz. 2025. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, friendship, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Monti was looking forward to meeting his friend Leo at the library.

Premise/plot: Monti and Leo are great friends. Monti is accused of stealing a figurine from a library--the library was celebrating collections. Leo is not sure how best to handle the situation. Does he believe in Monti's innocence? Does he publicly stand by him and declare him to be falsely accused? Does he believe the circumstantial evidence? in the gossip? Perhaps it's best if he becomes DETECTIVE LEO.

My thoughts: I am conflicted. On the one hand, I'm not sure many early chapter mystery books are written any better. On the other hand, this one is just so....so....dull. Then again I am an adult. It is not about me being entertained. This one is the second in the series. Pocketville is not an idealistic place for sure. It is realistically flawed. The residents all have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

31. Wrong Time Rooster

 

31. Wrong Time Rooster. Michael Parkin. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 star, picture book, telling time, concept book, farms] 

First sentence: One morning, a very important delivery arrived at the farm. The animals all gathered together, wondering what could possibly be in the crate! 

Premise/plot: The farm has a new rooster. The problem? (As you should know by now, all books have a 'problem.') This rooster can't tell time....literally. This rooster has clocks--many of them. But he can't read time, or, tell time. Therefore, he crows at all the wrong times. 

My thoughts: I expected the book to be funnier. For better or worse, it turned into a concept book about telling time. I suppose that could be a great thing for some. Does it make for the most entertaining farm story? Probably not. Would it still be a natural choice for reading aloud? I think so.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate?

 

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]

First sentence: Will the pigeon graduate? I had better graduate! I did the work! I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps. Were there obstacles? Lots of them! 

Premise/plot: The very first Pigeon book, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, was published in 2003. It has been over twenty-years, closer to twenty-two years, since his first release. It is certainly possible that those graduating college in recent years--grew up hearing Mo Willems' Pigeon stories. So it is more than fitting that Pigeon stars in an incredibly relatable, inspirational story that would make a GREAT gift for graduates--high school or college.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I think it resonates for those who a) have follow Pigeon through his many, many, many adventures b) adults (of all ages) with life experience (whether you are looking back or looking forward). The ending was so BEAUTIFUL. The story itself was humorous YET relatable. Essentially it's a book about having to adult.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

29. Bouncing Bunnies!

 

29. Bouncing Bunnies! Fiz Osborne. Illustrated by Tim Budgen. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: In a little woodland glade filled
with flowers, birds, and trees,
near a brightly colored meadow
with some very busy bees,
is a tiny little burrow--
can you see it on the ground?
And in that burrow there are...
bouncing bunnies--
all around.

My thoughts (preview): WHEN WILL IT BE SPRING?

Premise/plot: Bunnies, bunnies everywhere. Not much of a plot except BUNNIES.

My thoughts: Was the author paid by the word count???? Maybe. Maybe not. This one was just MEH. It's not that it's offensively, obnoxiously bad. It's not. It's really not. It's absolutely not. The story is perfectly fine. And it has the potential to be someone's favorite book. I don't know who that someone is. But someone, somewhere. This book will be THE BOOK. Perhaps it will be their special book because it was read aloud by someone super special and caring. I do think picture books are super subjective. I thought it was a little too wordy for the story it tells. (Note: I wouldn't want to diagram these sentences!)

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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