69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear

69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the BIG Hungry Bear. Don and Audrey Wood. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture books, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Hello, little Mouse. What are you doing? Oh, I see. Are you going to pick that red, ripe strawberry? But, little Mouse, haven't you heard about the big, hungry bear? Ohhh, how that Bear loves red, ripe strawberries!

Premise/plot: Little Mouse has JUST picked a red, ripe strawberry. Now Mouse is worried--and rightfully so perhaps--that a BIG HUNGRY bear might just come along and take it from her. Is there a way Mouse can make sure NO hungry bear eats her strawberry?

My thoughts: I'm honestly not sure if it's the narrator who "helps" Little Mouse solve the problem, or if it's meant to be you, the reader, who "helps" save the day. I'm guessing probably the narrator--but I could see it going either way. That's how it goes with books written in the second person.

This one is SUPER fun. I love, love, love, love the illustrations. I love how gigantic the strawberry looks because everything is through the perspective of Little Mouse. And I love the story. Who could resist cheering for Little Mouse????

Definitely one I love to read again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

68. Scaredy Squirrel

68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy.

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. He'd rather stay in his safe and familiar tree than risk venturing out into the unknown. The unknown can be a scary place for a squirrel.

I really liked this picture book. I liked Scaredy Squirrel a lot. I could relate to him in some ways. Because the unknown can be a bit scary. Readers may not share Scaredy Squirrels exact fears--green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, and sharks--but chances are they can relate to fearing something. Scaredy Squirrel is thrust into an adventure and forced into facing the unknown. And he learns that sometimes fears are just silly, and that life is meant to be enjoyed, to be lived. Out of the nut tree.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

67. Hairy and Scary!

67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Hello! We are the Rhyming Dust Bunnies! Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob! We rhyme all the time! Well, actually I don't rhyme. This is a fan! What rhymes with fan? Tan. Can. Oh no.

Premise/plot: This is the THIRD book in the Rhyming Dust Bunnies series by Jan Thomas. It has been FOREVER since she last released a book in the series. But the good news is a whole new generation of little ones are ready to be introduced to the awesome Jan Thomas. In this one, the rhyming dust bunnies are in danger....or are they????? Bob is definitely trying to tell them SOMETHING. If only they would stop rhyming long enough to listen.

My thoughts: I will always love Jan Thomas' picture books because I've read them so many times. They make great read alouds. You can really put a lot of enthusiasm and silliness into them. This one was fun and nostalgic.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

66. We Are All Ears

66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]

First sentence: We are ears. So are we. Don't forget us! We are ears too!

Premise/plot: Ears of corn keep inserting themselves into this early reader about ears.

My thoughts: I have loved some of Jonathan Fenske's books in the past. He's written picture books and beginning readers. Some are all the awesome and hilarious. Others are just okay. I don't think I was in the mood this time around for reading his newest early reader. It wasn't bad, I just didn't find it funny or amusing. BUT other readers might. I might even find it amusing if I reread it in a few months or years or whenever.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. Shy

65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]

First sentence: Shy was the smallest and quietest pup at the shelter. She seldom made a sound. Not at suppertime. Not at walk time. Not even at playtime.

Premise/plot: Shy finds her forever home. BUT her new human is a musician who loves to play the piano. Shy loves, loves, loves this. She loves it because she can join in with her own song to match his (her human) own. But when it comes time for him to perform on stage, will Shy join him? Does he want her to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It's a sweet story lightly inspired by a dog in Julie Andrews life that liked to sing along. Definitely enjoyable if you like music OR dogs OR both.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers