58-59. Two Jonathan Fenske Picture Books

58. After Squidnight. Jonathan Fenske. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]

First sentence: The sky is black.
The clouds are inky.
The salty air
is still and stinky.
You're snug in bed.
You're softly sleeping...
...while to your house
the squids are creeping.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
Midnight sounds.
At the beach,
the ocean pounds.
And from the surf
a suckered hand
drags itself
onto the sand.

Premise/plot: After Squidnight is a quirky rhyming book by Jonathan Fenske. After midnight, sneaky squid come into a child's house and make a TREMENDOUS mess. But the child's parents, well, they are less convinced that it was the work of squids and not the kid.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I do. It's quirky. It's weird. It's got the BEST rhythm and rhyme. It is just a JOY to read if that is your thing. I happen to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a great rhyming book....and well, I don't have kind thoughts to those that get it wrong. Jonathan Fenske is a favorite of mine. I also love and appreciate the DESCRIPTIVE narrative. And the illustrations are very atmospheric.





59. A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Were Riding a Bicycle. Jonathan Fenske. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark were riding a bicycle.

Premise/plot: The unicorn, dinosaur, and shark spend most of the book arguing with the narrator of the book. This is much like the first book in this strange series. In this one, the narrator is trying to convince the three that they want to ride a bicycle. They do not. They want to do all the relaxing. Will these three end up riding a bicycle by the end of the book????

My thoughts: It was decent. I feel that there's a certain type of reader who will love the 'rebellious' and 'argumentative' nature of seeing the characters in the book talk back to the narrator/author. It is very silly and ridiculous for characters to be self-aware. But once you get over the novelty of that (and many other picture books have done the same), it becomes a bit dull--I would say probably more so for adult readers. It was definitely okay.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

57. The Biggest Cat in the Book

57. The Biggest Cat in the Book. Ben Lerwill. Illustrated by Mark Chambers. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Pippa is a kitten. She is exploring a slipper. She is NOT the biggest cat in the book.

Premise/plot: The search is on for the cat who IS the biggest in the book.

My thoughts: I like the premise of this one fine. I think it drags on a bit too long. I think this would make a great sixteen page board book. Cut the number of cats in half that aren't the "biggest" in the book, and I think it would read better after all. That being said, the cats--except perhaps for Chicken--are all ADORABLE and fun. But I think the biggest problem with this book about the biggest is that it's anti-climatic. When you finally get there, it has fizzled out completely.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

56. Jumanji

56. Jumanji. Chris Van Allsburg. 1981. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, fantasy, 3 stars]

First sentence: "Now remember," Mother said, "your father and I are bringing some guests by after the opera, so please keep the house neat."

Premise/plot: Two bored kids find a game in the park and bring it home. Peter and Judy have been told to keep the house neat and tidy. But as they play the game Jumanji, well, things get a little out of hand. Almost like how the Cat in the Hat brings chaos when he comes to visit. But Judy insists they keep playing the game until the end no matter what.

My thoughts: The book is VERY self-contained. Judy and Peter never even move from the table where they are playing the game. The movie is WILD and ZANY, erratic, chaotic. The game doesn't just effect Judy and Peter in their house but the WHOLE entire town. That's why I said this one was very self contained. Judy and Peter don't seem overly alarmed by the things happening around them. Perhaps because they don't seem to have lasting consequences? The book definitely presents more as two kids with a vivid imagination than the movie would ever have you believe.

The story is definitely more developed than the picture book. I don't dislike the picture book. And I don't love the movie. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I think both are premise-driven. Subdued is the word that just came to mind and I think it fits. The book is subdued.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

55. Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb

55. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb. Al Perkins. 1969. Random House. 36 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Hand hand fingers thumb. One thumb one thumb drumming on a drum. One hand two hands drumming on a drum. Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum.

Premise/plot: What starts out as one monkey joyfully drumming ends with millions of monkeys jamming away on their drums. Perkins' book is a jazzy treat that delights readers old and new.

Favorite quotes:

"Hello Jack." "Hello Jake." Shake hands shake hands. Shake! Shake! Shake!

Hand in hand more monkeys come. Many more fingers. Many more thumbs. Many more monkeys. Many more drums. Millions of fingers! Millions of thumbs! Millions of monkeys drumming on drums!

My thoughts: Everything I learned about rhythm and rhyme I learned by reading this one. An exaggeration perhaps, there is also Dr. Seuss. But I tend to judge the quality of all other picture books attempting rhythm with this one. Most fail horribly. There is just something magical about this one. Yes, I grew up with it. Yes, I quote it all the time. I think the book is timeless and just about perfect.

Have you read it? What did you think?

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

54. Cat's New Book

54. Cat's New Book. Nathalie Belhassen. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture books, cats, friends]

First sentence: This book is new. I just got it, but it's already my favorite! I love hugging its clean cover and stroking its smooth pages. It smells so good. I can read it whenever I want, because it's all mine. But I turn the pages gently so the book will stay new forever.

Premise/plot: CAT has a new book. It's a FAVORITE new book. It's a most treasured and beloved new book. But Cat lends her new book out and makes friends and more friends and even more friends. They all agree that Cat's book is FAVORITE. The book may not stay new and clean, but friendships are forever.

My thoughts: I love, love, love CAT'S NEW BOOK. It's a great book celebrating friendship AND reading. I love the text and the illustrations.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers