Norman The Slug with the Silly Shell

Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell. Sue Hendra. 2017. (2011 UK) 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Norman the slug thought snails were great. "Wow!" said Norman. "Look at them! They're amazing! But unfortunately, the snails didn't think Norman was great. "Norman, you silly slug!" they cried. "You've spoiled our fun. This only works if you've got a shell." Norman felt left out. Sadly, he skulked off into the moonlight.

Premise/plot: Norman, the "hero" of the book, doesn't have a shell. At least not yet. This picture book shows him "finding" a very silly shell to wear when playing with the other slugs. But. There are consequences as well...when your shell is so tasty.

My thoughts:  I don't think I've reminded anyone--this week at least--that reading picture books is super subjective. You may love Norman. You may find him super-silly. You may laugh and giggle. I did not. I found it strange, but not ha ha strange.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 5 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Max at School

Max at School (Max and Ruby). Rosemary Wells. Illustrated by Andrew Grey. 2017. [Oct. 24] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Max gives Mama a kiss. Ruby gives Papa a kiss. "Bye-bye," say Mama and Papa. "Bye-bye," say Ruby and Max. Mama and Papa wave. Ruby and Max wave. They hop on the bus. The big bus is yellow.

Premise/plot: It is Max's first day of school. I'm not sure if this is preschool or kindergarten. But a first day is a first day, right?! The book--in typical fashion--shows Max going through the routine of a school day.

My thoughts: I love Max and Ruby. (Ruby and Max). It's not unusual for me to be going around singing the Max and Ruby theme song. Recently, the show introduced Max and Ruby's parents. Before they had lived by themselves and only had a grandmother to check in on them now and then. The new episode(s) also featured Max saying more than one word per episode. Max had grown up a bit. This new reader--level two--reflects that. The text is simple, and there is something methodical about it.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Santa Claus Book

The Santa Claus Book. Eileen Daly. Illustrated by Florence Sarah Winship. 1972. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Santa's sleigh was piled high with toys. And Santa's list of boys and girls was so long that it made a curly tail behind the sleigh. "Ho-ho!" laughed Santa as the sleigh landed softly on a rooftop. "This is a good Christmas!" Down the chimney he went. He put a doll under the Christmas tree and a yellow truck beside the doll. At John's house, he left a train. And he put a surprise in the red caboose.

Premise/plot: Santa is going about his business one Christmas Eve when he happens upon a puppy, a lost puppy. Santa is determined to return the pup to his owner. So he takes the puppy with him on his toy deliveries. Will the puppy be reunited with his owner?

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  vintage books. You grow up with an image of what Santa looks like, and that is for you the real Santa. This Santa is "the real Santa." The Santa of all my childhood wrapping papers. The story is fine. I hope that the puppy does not make a mess in Santa's bag or in the boy's stocking.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Here Comes Santa Cat

Here Comes Santa Cat. Deborah Underwood. 2014. 88 pages. [Source: Library]


First sentence: Hey, Santa! Have you seen Cat? Cat! I didn't even recognize you. Why are you dressed like Santa? So you can give yourself a present? Oh, Cat. Santa will bring you a present, won't he? No? Why not? Ah. I see your problem.

Premise/plot: Cat is worried that Santa will not bring him a present because he's been too naughty. It's Christmas Eve, and it's too late--isn't it--for him to start being nice enough to get on Santa's good list. Cat dresses up as Santa and attempts...well, he attempts many, many things! Will Cat's last minute efforts work? Will Cat get a Christmas present?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED this one. Cat and his signs are just too adorable. I love how expressive the illustrations are. This Cat is just super-super lovable. He would be a handful to live with perhaps. But as a character in a book, he's ideal! I love the conversational text. The narrative text is something I'd call practically perfect in every way.

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

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #3) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was wintertime. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, sat at their window every night to watch the snow come down.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake is the third book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers learn that Mr. Putter and Tabby LOVE Christmas. They love giving Christmas presents. But Mr. Putter isn't sure what to give his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, for Christmas. She loves fruitcake. Mr. Putter doesn't understand why a person would love fruitcake, would even like fruitcake. Cakes should not be able to break your toes. He decides he will bake her a cake for Christmas. In the second chapter, readers learn of all the obstacles standing in the way. "The cake was not a cinch. In the first place, Mr. Putter did not know how to bake a cake. He could bake instant muffins. He could bake instant popovers. But he had never baked a cake. He didn't know how. In the second place, Mr. Putter had no pans. He had muffin pans. He had popover pans. But he had no cake pans. If he baked a cake, it would have to be in a shoe. Or maybe in a flowerpot. Or even in a hat." The third obstacle: no cookbook. In the third chapter, Mr. Putter finds a solution to his problem. He will learn to bake a cake from Mary Sue. Mary Sue doesn't entirely seem trustworthy. She sells him $100 worth of STUFF though. "She sold Mr. Putter seven bowls. She sold Mr. Putter three sifters. She sold Mr. Putter ten spoons, five cups, two spatulas, a roll of waxed paper, and a Christmas tree pan. Then she sold him an Easy Baker cookbook and sent him out the door. Mr. Putter had spent one hundred dollars. And he still didn't have any flour." In the fourth and final chapter, Mr. Putter and Tabby get ready to bake. Will the cake turn out light and airy? Will Mrs. Teaberry enjoy the cake? Will this be a happy Christmas?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was FUN. It was MERRY. I am continuing to love this series. The writing is just delightful. Rylant knows how to craft an entertaining story. There is a lot of characterization packed in as well--a lot of showing and not telling.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog (Mr. Putter & Tabby #2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her small dog, Zeke.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog is the second book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, Mr. Putter decides to help a neighbor for a week when she becomes unable to walk her dog. Mrs. Teaberry assures him that Zeke is a DREAM dog who never tugs, who never wraps around trees, who never chases other dogs. The second chapter opens with this sentence, "Zeke was a nightmare." The chapter chronicles the first three days. Zeke misbehaves; Mr. Putter and Tabby return EXHAUSTED and in need of treats. The first day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and pudding and a nap." The second day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and popovers and a nap." The third day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and shortbread and a nap." The third chapter chronicles the last four days; Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to approach walking the dog differently. They've resorted to bribery. Will Zeke be a dream dog if he's rewarded for good behavior?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The writing was excellent. I loved the narrative style. Rylant is a great storyteller. I would definitely recommend this series. And treat yourself by beginning at the beginning.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Milly and the Macy's Parade

Milly and the Macy's Parade. Shana Corey. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. 2002. 40 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: It was 1924, Milly's first year in America, and all over New York City people were hustling and bustling about getting ready for the holidays.

Premise/plot: Milly's father works at Macy's. She notices that her father and some of the other immigrants are homesick. She goes to Mr. Macy himself and suggests that they should have a parade where they march and sing and dress up to remind people of the old world they've left behind. The parade is a success, and he decides they should make the parade an annual affair.

My thoughts: This origin story of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is almost entirely fictional. The first parade was in 1924, that much is true at least. But there is no Milly. And Mr. Macy was several decades in his grave by then. The book does emphasize that this "American parade" was based on several different cultural elements. It was a variety of immigrant groups blending together--working together--that birthed this American tradition.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea (Mr. Putter & Tabby #1) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Before he got his fine cat, Tabby, Mr. Putter lived all alone.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea is the first book in the Mr. Putter & Tabby early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers meet Mr. Putter. "He had warm muffins to eat. He had good tea to pour. And he had wonderful stories to tell. Mr. Putter was tired of living alone. Mr. Putter wanted a cat." In the second chapter, readers meet Tabby. Tabby is not a kitten; she is an old cat. "The shelter man brought Mr. Putter the old yellow cat. Its bones creaked, its fur was thinning, and it seemed a little deaf. Mr. Putter creaked, his hair was thinning, and he was a little deaf, too." In the third chapter, readers see these two living together happily. "After a while it seemed as if they had always lived together. Tabby knew just what Mr. Putter was going to do next. Mr. Putter knew just where Tabby was going to sleep next. In the mornings each looked for the other as soon as they opened their eyes. And at night each looked for the other as their eyes were closing. Mr. Putter could not imagine life without Tabby." It has a PERFECT ending.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I had read a few books in this series--those published the past few years--but never went back to the series beginning. It is a WONDERFUL book.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I'm Sorry

I'm Sorry. Gina Mayer and Mercer Mayer. 1995. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Whenever I do something wrong, I just say "I'm sorry."

Premise/plot: Little Critter is always careful to say, "I'm sorry." But he is definitely not always careful in the first place.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I didn't love, love, love it like I have other Little Critter titles. But it was definitely an enjoyable read. Little Critter can make a BIG, BIG, BIG mess. In this one, he learns--perhaps temporarily--that you have to be careful and considerate in the first place. Saying "I'm sorry" and then not changing your behavior shows you're not really that sorry.

This one reminded me of a Daniel Tiger song. Saying I'm sorry is the FIRST step, not the only step.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This is the Kiss

This is the Kiss. Claire Harcup. Illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo. 2017. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When you've had a fun day and you're ready for bed, this is the wave...and the squeeze of the hand...that led to the touch...that led to the smile...that led to the hands going round and round and round until...they started the tickle...

Premise/plot: This is the Kiss is a sweet picture book ideal for sharing at bedtime.

My thoughts: I really liked this one. I thought the bears were adorable! The text flows gently and predictably from cover to cover. All the action leads up to...you guessed it...a kiss, a good night kiss.
The edition I read was Scholastic's Story Play edition. This edition adds prompts for parents. Prompts like: "What is Little Bear building?" "With whom do you love holding hands?" "How are Little Bear and Big Bear feeling? How can you tell?" etc.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut. Dr. Seuss. 1978. Random House. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I can read in red. I can read in blue. I can read in pickle color too.

Premise/plot: The Cat in the Hat is back in Dr. Seuss' I Can Read With My Eyes Shut. In this one, he's showing off--classic Cat style--about how great a reader he is.

My thoughts: I enjoy this one very much. I do agree that "you have to be a speedy reader 'cause there's so, so much to read." With such fun and silly phrases as: "You can read about anchors. And all about ants. You can read about ankles! And crocodile pants!" this one is just a delight.

Text: 3.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3.5 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88 Instruments

88 Instruments. Chris Barton. Illustrated by Louis Thomas. 2016. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: 88! That's how many pounding, surrounding, astounding-mound-of-sounding instruments are in this shop. But...I can take lessons on only one. Not 75, or 64, or 33, or 12. "One," says Dad. "For now," says Mom. "Your pick!" says Dad. "Within reason," says Mom. How am I supposed to pick just one? Do I pick the squeeziest? The wheeziest?

Premise/plot: The narrator of 88 Instruments is having a tough time deciding on ONE instrument from the music shop. What instrument should he learn to play first? One thing is for certain, he is going to look at ALL of his options and not just pick the first thing he sees.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I loved the descriptive language. I loved the dialogue. It worked really well, in my opinion. I loved the passion and enthusiasm. Which technically I suppose you'd call the narrative voice. I thought Barton did great at capturing that magic moment.

plink! It's so clear. PLUNK. So right. PLUNNNNNNNNK! So right for me. I'm going to learn the plinkiest...the plunkiest...and, here to there, the spunkiest--the PIANO!

The illustrations are nearly (but not quite) as expressive as the text.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10



© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Where Teddy Bears Come From

Where Teddy Bears Come From. Mark Burgess. Illustrated by Russell Ayto. 2009. Peachtree Press. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: In the middle of a deep, dark forest, all the creatures were fast asleep except for a little gray wolf, who tossed and turned and couldn't sleep a wink.

Premise/plot: Little Wolf is having trouble sleeping. He thinks he may have a solution: a teddy bear. But WHERE DO TEDDY BEARS COME FROM?! He asks his mother first. But when she doesn't know he's off on a quest in the deep, dark forest to ask just about everyone his question. Who will know the answer?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved all the fairy tale twists and turns. Little Wolf asks The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and others his all-important question. Will Little Wolf get his teddy bear?!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Aristocats: A Counting Book

The Aristocats: A Counting Book. Walt Disney Productions Presents. 1970. Whitman Tell-a-Tale Book. 26 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: 1 One lovely mother cat sitting in the sun, purring purrs, licking fur--ONE, ONE, ONE. Her name is Duchess. 2 Here's a little lady kitten singing songs for you, singing with her mother cat--TWO, TWO, TWO. Her name is Marie. 3 Well, look! A brother kitten comes to practice with Marie while Duchess helps them learn the tunes--THREE, THREE, THREE. His name is Berlioz. Another brother kitten's here, painting on the floor, painting all his family--FOUR, FOUR, FOUR. Toulouse is his name.

Premise/plot: This counting book features the stars of the Disney movie Aristocats. The retelling is a bit forced in places since it is a COUNTING book and not a regular story book. And this retelling also isn't true to the movie!

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, CRAZY LOVE the movie Aristocats. When I saw this book, I had to have it.

Text 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Julius

Julius. Syd Hoff. (An I Can Read Book) 1959. 64 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Davy went to Africa. His father was going to catch an animal for the circus.

Premise/plot: Mr. Smith is looking to bring back an animal for the circus. His son, Davy, is there to help. In fact, it is Davy who finds Julius, a gorilla, who is super-excited about belonging to the circus. But is circus life really for Julius?

My thoughts: This book is dated. I'd even say incredibly super-dated--for better or worse. It is exactly what you'd expect a book written in the 1950s to be like in terms of depicting Africans, wild animals, and those who hunt them. In this case, the hunt is about finding a new circus animal. (It could just as easily been about finding a new zoo animal.)

The animals depicted look cartoon-ish whether than realistic. This isn't a bad thing, in my opinion, since Hoff has the rejected animals muttering, "Some animals have all the luck." Realism isn't to be found in Julius.

What you get is an over-the-top silly story. A gorilla who is civilized, who probably has better table manners than most children. This gorilla isn't taken from Africa against his will. He volunteers and is excited. "The men carried Julius through the woods. Sometimes Julius gave the men a rest." On one page, he's in the cage. In the next, he's carrying the men in a cage.

Still, silly or not, realistic or not, Davy spends half the book carrying a gun. This book also features a clown or two.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Took My Frog to the Library

I Took My Frog to the Library. Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Blanche Sims. 1990. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I took my frog to the library, but he jumped on the checkout desk and scared the librarian. I took my hen to the library, but she laid an egg in the card catalog.

Premise/plot: Bridgett loves, loves, loves to go to the library. So do her animals. The librarian isn't so happy to see the animals. Can Bridgett find a way to make her animals AND the librarian happy?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I love stories that follow a pattern. That is I love picture books and early readers that follow a pattern. The pattern here, of course, is "I took my _____ to the library, but _________________." I think parents and teachers could take advantage of the silliness and have little ones write their own stories. And the stories wouldn't even have to be only about the library.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Log and Admiral Frog

The Log and Admiral Frog. B. Wiseman. 1961. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence:  Two frogs saw a log floating toward them. At least it looked like a log.

Premise/plot: Sometimes a log is not a log. Sometimes diplomacy fails--at least when you send a rabbit. Sometimes what you need is an Admiral Frog. Admiral Frog brings all sorts of animals together as a team and teaches them how to defend themselves against this enemy--this log. Turtles. Fish. Small birds. Big birds. Beavers. Skunks. Or are they navy ships, submarines, jets, bombers, and tear gas? Will the log surrender?

My thoughts: It was interesting. I'm not sure yet if it's good interesting. It begins with two frogs reporting to everyone what they've seen. A log that tried to eat them. An old rabbit says that they all just need to talk to the frog. He's confident that they can be friends with the log. The others doubt him, but give him a chance. The frog that does end up leading them is a "young frog nobody knew." His FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT mentality ends up being exactly what they need.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Erin McGuire. 2017. Disney-Hyperion. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Many see Time as a friend, and many see Time as a foe. But for a sleeping beauty, Time was a promise.

Premise/plot: Cynthia Rylant retells the fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty, in a new picture book beautifully illustrated by Erin McGuire. The story is a traditional retelling.

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I don't love the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty, though I do enjoy the use of Tchaikovsky's music. I loved that there wasn't a villain (or villainess) to fight. When the hundred years was over, the Prince came as if by instinct, and the thorns and briars parted to allow him through. He kissed her hand, and she awoke. I loved the ending, "Life returned to the sleeping palace, where happiness had always been waiting. It just took Time." Beautifully stated, right?!?!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen. Lucinda McQueen. 1985. Scholastic. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Once upon a time there was a little red hen who shared her tiny cottage with a goose, a cat, and a dog.

Premise/plot: This is a traditional telling of The Little Red Hen illustrated by Lucinda McQueen.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I like the illustrations very much. I particularly love the illustrations of the cat and the dog. The text is traditional. There are no big surprises with the text. The Little Red Hen doesn't have a change of heart, she doesn't decide to share with the cat and the dog.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10


© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Lambert The Sheepish Lion

Lambert The Sheepish Lion. Bill Peet. Walt Disney Company. 1970/1977. 42 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Mr. Stork was having a busy night. He had to deliver bundles of babies to all kinds of places. As he flew over the trees, Mr. Stork was glad he had just one bundle left.

Premise/plot: Mr. Stork is delivering new lambs to a sheep meadow. One sheep had no new lamb to welcome. Not until Mr. Stork shook out the bag and Lambert tumbled out. But this little lamb didn't look like the others--and he meowed?! The bond between mother and child was strong though from the start. When Mr. Stork tries to "correct" his mistake, he learns that a mother's love can be fierce. Later readers will see that a son's love can be just as fierce.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, crazy love Lambert the Sheepish Lion. I have since I was a child. I want to say we had this on record? or record story book? It's a fun Disney short, well worth watching again and again and again and again. The book is definitely a keeper.

This is a very personal story for me. Not only did I love it as a child, I could identify with it strongly. And still can.

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

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Paul's Christmas Birthday

Paul's Christmas Birthday. Carol Carrick. Illustrated by Donald Carrick. 1978. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: It was the middle of December. All the children in Paul's class were talking about Christmas.

Premise/plot: Paul was born on December 24. He doesn't like having his birthday so close to Christmas. He doesn't feel like his birthday is special--all the focus is on Christmas instead. So his mom decides to have a birthday party and invite all the kids in Paul's class. The invitation promises a visit by a MAN FROM OUTER SPACE. Maybe the kids come because they really like Paul; maybe the kids come because their parents see it as free babysitting so they can go shopping; maybe the kids come because they're curious about how Paul knows an alien. Regardless of why--they come.

My thoughts: Paul's Christmas Birthday is a sad, pitiful, strange book. Imagine a book about birthdays, or a book about Christmas illustrated in these colors: orange, yellow-brown, brown-brown, light and dark gray, and peach. Nothing merry or bright. Paul is--temporarily at least--depressed and out of sorts. The whole man-from-outer-space thing is just weird--beyond weird really. The visitor is none other than Santa. This confuses the children greatly. As it did me.

 I will say this. I do like the illustrations, just not the colors. If the mom had gone with "special guest" or "special visitor" instead of MAN FROM OUTER SPACE, the text might have worked for me better.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Too Many Cats

Too Many Cats. Leah Raechel Killen. 1988. 30 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Peter's father has a store. It is called Farfel's Food Store. Peter helps his father in the store. There are so many things to do. Every day, Peter takes out the trash. He puts it in a big can by the back door. One day, Peter got a big surprise. A cat was sitting next to the big can. The cat smelled bits of food in the can. He wanted to get into the can. He wanted to eat the food.

Premise/plot: Peter finds a cat; he names him Sam. Peter feeds Sam every day. But Sam never comes alone. Sam has FRIENDS. One day, Peter leaves the store door open, will the cats go into the store and cause a ruckus?! How will Peter ever get ALL those cats out of the store? Is he hiding some cat-herding skills?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It did start off slow. But when the cats go into the store, the action begins. Is it realistic? Probably not. I'm guessing that giving away free cats wouldn't be all that easy. But it was fun.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

School Bus

School Bus. Donald Crews. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Yellow school buses large and small. Empty yellow buses cross the town. STOP. GO. Going this way. Going that way. Here it comes. See you later. Full buses head for school.

Premise/plot: Donald Crews gives us a day in the life of a school bus. The book comes full circle, beginning and ending with empty buses gone 'home again' in a parking lot.

My thoughts: This book is very yellow. It doesn't have the same rhythm and rhyme thing going for it as Freight Train does. Nor is it really a concept book like Freight Train was. (Freight Train is about COLORS.) The language is simple. I think little ones could definitely learn to read this one.

The art is simple, perhaps a little too simple. It does give us a diverse group of people waiting for buses, riding the buses, getting off the buses, etc.  While there could be some pros perhaps to having all the humans lack facial features, I prefer faces.

I'm not sure I'd call this book "dandy entertainment" like Publishers Weekly did back in the day. In fact, I doubt I've used the word DANDY even once in one of my reviews.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10


© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Was So Mad

I Was So Mad. Mercer Mayer. 1983. Random House. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I wanted to keep some frogs in the bathtub but Mom wouldn't let me. I was so mad. I wanted to play with my little sister's dollhouse but Dad wouldn't let me. I was so mad. I wanted to play hide-and-seek in the clean sheets but Grandma said, "No, you can't." I was just so mad.

Premise/plot: Little Critter is having one of those days. He can't do anything that he wants to do. And the list of things he wants to do is LONG. Rejecting his parents list of things he could do instead, he decides to run away...after packing up a hefty supply of cookies...but will his friends' invitation to play ball change his mind?

My thoughts: I love, love, love Little Critter. I do. This book is fun. Little Critter's list of things he wants to do is quirky. Some readers can probably relate to. Others, maybe not so much. For example, one of the things he wants to do is TICKLE the goldfish.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers