Board book: You Are My Magical Unicorn

You Are My Magical Unicorn. Joyce Wan. 2018. Scholastic. 14 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: You are magical my little one. Reach for the stars, the moon, the sun. Chase those rainbows as you may. Don't let fear stand in your way.

Premise/plot: Joyce Wan's newest board book is YOU ARE MY MAGICAL UNICORN. Wan has written and illustrated many board books for little ones. All of them are cutesy and adorable. Her books are a wonderful example of what you see is what you get.

My thoughts: I love, love, love Joyce Wan's YOU ARE MY CUPCAKE. Without a doubt, that book is one of the best board books ever to have been published. I did like this one okay. I thought the illustrations were adorable. And I liked the rhyming fine. It's just that the standard by which I judge all Wan books is YOU ARE MY CUPCAKE. And you can *sing* that one. It's just perfectly, perfect. You can't sing You Are My Magical Unicorn. (Though to be fair, I haven't tried every tune I know.)

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Christmas Cookie Thief

The Christmas Cookie Thief. Meredith Rusu. 2018. Scholastic. 24 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: One cold Christmas Eve, the Beanie Boos let out a cheer. A very special visitor soon would be here! "Santa is coming!" Alpine cried in delight. "We have to make everything look merry and bright."

Premise/plot: One of the BOOS is stealing the cookies the others are leaving for Santa. Can you guess which Boo it is?

My thoughts: What you see is what you get. I don't have a problem with that. In fact, it's rather helpful when books deliver exactly what they promise. This is a novelty picture book. It stars TOYS as characters. It has STICKERS--sparkly, sparkly stickers. That's what you'll be getting if you buy this one. (I don't think any library will add this one to the collection!)

The rhyming is hit and miss. I haven't decided how I feel about that. On the one hand, even when the rhyming is on it feels cheesy--Mac the Mouse might approve. On the other hand, when the rhyming is off it has a misfit feel like a train with square wheels. I do wish it was better knowledge that all children's books do not have to rhyme. There's no law that says they should.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Oliver Elephant

Oliver Elephant. Lou Peacock. Illustrated by Helen Stephens. 2017/2018. Candlewick. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mommy and Noah and Evie-May Brown had gotten up early to go into town. They had lots to do, but they knew where to go--the Christmassy shop at the end of the row.

Premise/plot: Oliver Elephant accompanies young Noah on his Christmas shopping adventure. But will Oliver Elephant behave on this shopping trip?

The book is written in rhyme. On every spread, readers can see what the family--and Oliver--are doing. But Noah loses Oliver at one point, can they find him or will the book end in tragedy?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I wasn't completely in love with the rhyming aspect of it. Having to rhyme does force the story in some ways.

While Mommy bought warm gloves
for Great Uncle Jock...
Oliver Elephant tried on a sock.
While Mommy found Emma
a tiny toy mouse...
Oliver Elephant hid in a house.
While Mommy found Granddad
Good Cooking for Two....
Oliver Elephant played peekaboo.
While Mommy bought lavender
soap for Aunt Mabel...
Oliver Elephant danced on the table. 

But the book has its delightful aspects. I loved the illustrations, for example.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

She's Got This

She's Got This. Laurie Hernandez. Illustrated by Nina Mata. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Every day before school, Zoe watched the birds perched in the tree outside her bedroom window. She loved the way they hopped and balanced on the branches. She loved the way they flew.

Premise/plot: Zoe, the heroine, is excited to start gymnastics. But when she falls off the beam, will Zoe have the courage to get back up and try again?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. I thought it was cute. The theme--or moral--is a practical one. It is written by an Olympic gymnast--a champion.

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story

Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story. Edward Hemingway. 2018. Holt. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting Christmastown, in the Land of Holiday Treats...a little cookie--still warm from the bakery oven--burst out the front door and shouted, "I'm a sweet cookie!"

Premise/plot: Sugar Cookie Man thinks he should be both sweet and fast...but he isn't. Can he learn to be okay with that? Sugar Cookie Man may not realize his purpose, but he does have one.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I have always enjoyed the Gingerbread Man story. This playfully touches on that story...but only a little. It stars a FOX and a COOKIE. The cookie does boast and the fox does give chase. Sugar Cookie Man learns by trial and error that he was baked with a specific purpose in mind. He's not for eating...but for hanging as an ornament on a tree. (If he was an EATING cookie the book would be quite short since the Fox would have gobbled him up by page two or three.)

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Peeps at School

Peeps at School. Andrea Posner-Sanchez. Illustrated by Daniela Massironi. 2018. Random House. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who is ready for school? The Peeps chicks are!

Premise/plot: This is an early reader starring PEEPS at school. The text is super-simple. The colors are just as bright and bold as the candy.

My thoughts: I am not a fan of the candy, but I am a fan of the toys. This early reader is cute. It may not have much substance in the grand scheme of things--but it's an enjoyable treat. If you have a little one who loves PEEPS this one may be worth your time.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Winter is Here

Winter Is Here. Kevin Henkes. Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Winter is here. It's everywhere. It's falling from the sky and sitting on the houses and dripping from the roofs and sticking to the trees in clumps and curls.

Premise/plot: Kevin Henkes' newest book is a poetic description of the winter season.

Winter comes without a sound...
and it comes with many.
The wind howls in every language
and the windows rattle. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked the text very much. But I loved, loved, loved the illustrations.

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow 12 Months Running

Bow-Wow 12 Months Running. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2009. 18 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: January. February. March. April. May. June.

Premise/plot: Bow-Wow stars in this board book doubling as a concept book. The text is simply the twelve months of the years. The illustrations show Bow-Wow in each month.

My thoughts: Quite a lot is communicated about the months of the year through the illustrations. The book--like the others in the series--is simple yet more often than not effective. The illustrations are bright, bold, and expressive.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Woof and Quack in Winter

Woof and Quack in Winter (Green Light Readers Level 1) Jamie Swenson. Illustrated by Ryan Sias. 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 37 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Woof, I am not flying south this year. But ducks always fly south, Quack. I want to stay with you in winter. This duck is staying put.

Premise/plot:  Woof and Quack are an unusual duo. Woof is a dog that doesn't like to play fetch; Quack is a duck that doesn't fly south in the winter. This book is about what these two friends do in the winter.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It was silly just like the first book in this early reader series. (The first book is Meet Woof and Quack.) The dialogue between these two is fun.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Meet Woof & Quack

Meet Woof and Quack (Green Light Readers Level 1) Jamie Swenson. Illustrated by Ryan Sias. 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 37 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Would you like to play a game, Woof? Yes. What shall we play, Quack?

Premise/plot: Quack wants to play fetch with his friend Woof. But Woof is a dog who does NOT like to play fetch. Fortunately, Woof is a dog who likes to throw. So the two do get to play fetch together. What makes this one silly is WHAT is being thrown.

My thoughts: This one is super-silly. Woof and Quack are a silly duo that your little one may love to meet. I enjoyed the text. I didn't quite love, love, love the illustrations. But overall I'd recommend this one.  

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Where's Ellie? A Hide and Seek (Board) Book

Board book: Where's Ellie? A Hide and Seek Book. Salina Yoon. 2012. Random House. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Where is Ellie hiding? Is she behind the plant? No, that's a teapot!

Premise/plot: Ellie (the elephant) is hiding. Can little ones find out where she's hiding in this super adorable board book by Salina Yoon?

My thoughts: I love that the elephant's ear and trunk are tactilely pleasing. There are many reasons why I love this one actually. I love, love, love elephants. Always have, always will. I don't think I'll ever outgrow my desire to have a pet elephant. Hide-and-seek books--with or without flaps--can be great fun to read with little ones. This one does not have flaps. A turn of the page reveals the surprise--was that Ellie? or was it something else? The front cover--and almost all of the pages--do have a cut-out. This cut-out is vital to the game of hide-and-seek. And I think it's also great for little grasping hands.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow's Colorful Life

Bow-Wow's Colorful Life. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2009. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Red! Orange! Yellow! Green!

Premise/plot: Bow-Wow is the star of a board book series. Each board book "teaches" a concept. This one teaches colors. Bow-Wow is tugging the socks off his human. It's a silly, super-simple story that I found delightful.

My thoughts: I think this one is my favorite Bow-Wow story. I love the ending. It's predictable--since Bow-Wow is a dog--but fun too.

Have you read the Bow-Wow series? Which one is your favorite?  

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow Hears Things

Board book: Bow-Wow Hears Things. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2008. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Honk. No. Splash? No. Tick-tock? No.

Premise/plot: This one stars a little bird and Bow-Wow. It is a simple story doubling as a concept book teaching sounds. (But I think that is a far, far, far stretch of an imagination.) What sound should the bird be making?

My thoughts: This is a STRANGE board book. I've appreciated the other books in the Bow-Wow series. They've been short, simple, even very-very simple. Yet they've been funny too. This one is just bizarre. Of course, I am bringing my adult perspective to it. If I was a toddler would I find the idea of a bird going tick-tock hilarious? Maybe?!

If your little one has enjoyed the other books in the series then this one might be worth it as well. But don't start with this one. It might not be the best one to try out in terms of appeal.
 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow Orders Lunch

Board book: Bow-Wow Orders Lunch. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2007. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Bread. Cheese. Bread. Cheese. Bread.

Premise/plot: Bow-Wow is getting ready to enjoy a sandwich. But what does he want on his sandwich? This board book doubles as a concept book teaching patterns. But it is also a very simple--yet funny--story.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It is 100% silly. It's a stretch to call it a concept book even. But even though there's not much to it--I couldn't help finding it charming. I don't know why I liked it so much. I just know that I do.




© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites

Board book: Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2008. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Up. Down. In. Out. Over. Under.

Premise/plot: Bow-Wow starrs in several board books. This board book doubles as a concept book teaching opposites. But it is also a very simple--yet funny--story.

You don't have to use a lot of words to tell a good story--if you let the illustrations do the talking for you. In this one, Bow-Wow chases a cat.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I am not sure that it is my favorite Bow-Wow story but it's nice.

I really love the bright and bold illustrations.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: All Aboard! The Christmas Train

All Aboard! The Christmas Train. Nichole Mara. Illustrated by Andrew Kolb. 2018. Abrams. 10 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Each "page" in this book is a car in the train. Pull out each car to see the train at its full length. Then lift the flaps to discover who is riding in each car. Don't forget to look for all the hideen things.

Premise/plot: This novelty board book folds out--accordion style--to reveal a Christmas train. There is text to be read on each side of the train.

My thoughts: It might sound silly that a children's book is so complex that it needs instructions for parents to be able to use it. But. I do think the instructions are necessary. Books that fold out can be unwieldy and stubborn when it comes to actually reading them with a young child. Story times often happen on the lap--though not always. If you can gracefully read this one with a toddler in your lap--you might have a super-power.

But if you approach this one as more of a toy than a story--I think it works. Some books are toys. I think this one is more of a toy. I think train-loving toddlers will enjoy this one.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Monkey Visits a School

Mr. Monkey Visits a School. Jeff Mack. 2018. Simon and Schuster. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Monkey learns a trick. Almost. He tries it again. And again. And again! He gets it! Now he's ready to put on a show!

Premise/plot: Mr. Monkey has been invited by a school librarian to visit the school. It's a good thing he's just learned a new trick. But performing a trick and learning a trick aren't quite the same thing. So many unexpected things happen--even before he arrives at the school. What kind of show will Mr. Monkey put on for the students?!

My thoughts: Jeff Mack has a new early reader series for young readers. The first two books are Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School. I really enjoyed both books. My library's "hold" sticker covered up the number on the spine, so I happened to read the two books out of order. Would I have enjoyed Mr. Monkey Visits a School more if I'd read the books in order? Maybe. I don't know. I definitely enjoyed it. Mr. Monkey--as I mentioned earlier--is a HOOT.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Monkey Bakes A Cake

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake. Jeff Mack. 2018. Simon and Schuster. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Monkey makes a cake. He adds sugar. He adds an egg. He adds bananas. That's okay. Monkeys like bananas. Mr. Monkey mixes the cake. Mr. Monkey bakes the cake. Mr. Monkey frosts the cake. Good job, Mr. Monkey! Now you can eat your cake!

Premise/plot: Jeff Mack has a new early reader series for young readers. The first two books are Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School. In the first book, Mr. Monkey bakes a cake. But it isn't as simple as you might think: mix a cake, bake a cake, eat a cake, or share a cake with a friend. No this is a FUNNY story with plenty of twists and turns. Also plenty of BANANAS.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I read both books in one sitting. This was my favorite. I loved Mr. Monkey's comical adventures. He is a HOOT. Dare I say an absolute hoot?! 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers