Board book: A Little Book About ABC's

A Little Book About ABC's. Leo Lionni and Julie Hamilton. 2019. Random House. 28 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A is for alligator. B is for beautiful butterflies. C is for chunks of cheese.

Premise/plot: This board book is inspired by the works/characters of Leo Lionni. It is a concept book--an alphabet book.

My thoughts: What you see is exactly what you get. This alphabet book stars some familiar characters from Leo Lionni's books. There is another book in this "Leo Lionni's Friends" series, A Little Book About Spring. My guess is that there will be more books coming soon.

I wish it was a little bit more transparent who did what when. The two people credited with the work are Leo Lionni and Julie Hamilton. Yet it doesn't say who wrote the text or who did the illustrations. The characters are all Leo Lionni. But is Julie Hamilton just illustrating in the style of Leo Lionni? Did she write the text to accompany the illustrations? If she didn't write the text, who did? (Leo Lionni has been dead since 1999.) 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: A Little Book About Spring

A Little Book About Spring. Julie Hamilton. Illustrated by Leo Lionni. 2019. Random House. 28 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Hello, Spring. I'm so glad to see you. You make the trees bud...the flowers bloom...and the baby birds chirp in their nests.

Premise/plot: This book features classic illustrations and/or illustrations inspired by Leo Lionni's classic characters. This board book celebrates the season of SPRING.

My thoughts: I wish it was a little bit more transparent who did what when. The two people credited with the work are Leo Lionni and Julie Hamilton. Yet it doesn't say who wrote the text or who did the illustrations. The characters are all Leo Lionni. But is Julie Hamilton just illustrating in the style of Leo Lionni? Did she write the text to accompany the illustrations? If she didn't write the text, who did? (Leo Lionni has been dead since 1999.) 

Regardless of all that, is the story good? It is what it is. I personally will never get gushy about a book celebrating seasons. The text is simple and predictable. Not a bad thing for a concept board book about a season of the year. (Weather is usually more simple and predictable in children's books than in real life.) But I do like it.
 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sprinkle Sundays #4 Ice Cream Sandwiched

Ice Cream Sandwiched. (Sprinkle Sundays #4) Coco Simon. 2018. [October 23] Simon Schuster. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I put the finishing touches on my book review as the school bus pulled into Vista Green School.

Premise/plot: Ice Cream Sandwiched is the fourth book in Coco Simon's Sprinkle Sundays series for middle schoolers. It is the second book narrated by Allie.

In the first book, Allie's parents get divorced. Allie moves with her mom and brother to a nearby town. She misses her best friends Tamiko and Sierra very much. Fortunately, these three friends find a way to be together each and every week by working together in her mom's ice cream shop. The second book is narrated by Tamiko. The third book is narrated by Sierra.

Allie is still having a bit of a time adjusting to her new life. She's made new friends. She's been able to keep her old friends too. She's getting along with her Mom and her Dad. (Though the brother might as well not exist for as much as he's mentioned.) But though things could always, always be worse, things aren't as smooth as she'd like them to be. For one thing, she feels caught between an arguing Sierra and Tamiko. And that's just one of the ways she feels "sandwiched." Allie struggles a bit to be true to herself for a bit, but ultimately she succeeds.

My thoughts: I like this series. It's enjoyable. It definitely has a bit of a wish fulfillment thing going on. It's not exactly one hundred percent realistic. (Three seventh graders who run an ice cream shop all on their own without adult supervision every Sunday afternoon while the owner (Allie's mom) is busy in the back. I doubt they've been trained and certified to handle/prepare food. And there is definite trust going on to let a seventh grader be responsible for all the cashiering.) But all that being said I am finding each title enjoyable enough that I want to keep up with the series as it's being released.

Original audience born circa 2009 to 2011.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Giant Jam Sandwich

Board book: The Giant Jam Sandwich. Janet Burroway. Story and Pictures by John Vernon Lord. 1972/2018. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 28 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: One hot summer in Itching Down, Four million wasps flew into town.

Premise/plot: I would NOT want to be in Itching Down when FOUR MILLION wasps flew into town. I wouldn't want to be there for even ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND wasps. Would you? This classic picture book is told in rhyme. Though the situation is far from ideal, the text is DELIGHTFUL.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. It is so much fun. I love the rhythm and rhyme of it. From cover to cover it just works. Not all books written in rhyme do work. Some seem to struggle a bit here and there. This one is practically perfect in every way.

Quotes:

A truck drew up and dumped out butter,
And they spread it out with a flap and a flutter.
Spoons and spades! Slap and slam!
And they did the same with the strawberry jam.

Suddenly the sky was humming!
All four million wasps were coming!
They smelled that jam, they dived and struck!
And they ate so much that they all got stuck.

Original audience born circa 1968 to 1970.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Hug Is For Holding Me

A Hug Is For Holding Me. Lisa Wheeler. Illustrated by Lisk Feng. 2018. Harry N. Abrams. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look around and you will see all the things a hug can be!

Premise/plot: You would think this picture book would celebrate two things primarily--HUGS and FAMILIES. And, in a way, I suppose it's true. But it is nature that sneaks in and steals the show.

Cocoons are strong
yet gentle hugs,
and then,
surprisingly...
the air is filled with wonderous wings!
Your hug amazes me.

and

A flower bud
can be a hug.
Come close and
you will see.
Tight petals wrap the bloom inside.
Your hug feels safe to me. 

My thoughts: I don't dislike this one. I just don't love it. I wasn't expecting it to be about nature. Or at least so much about nature. I suppose a better description would be... as a father and daughter share a lovely walk together the little girl reflects on the many things a hug can be.

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


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

What Is Given From the Heart

What Is Given From the Heart. Patricia C. McKissack. Illustrated by April Harrison. 2019 [January]. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a rough few months for Mama and me. We were already poor, but we got poorer last April, when Daddy went to sleep on the front porch and never woke up. Mama cried and cried, 'cause Daddy didn't have a suit to be buried in.

Premise/plot: The Temple family has lost everything in a fire. The church community is coming together and asking everyone to give something, to give from the heart. James Otis is stumped, especially at first. What can he give of value? He doesn't have anything of value. But he's determined. He must find something to give. His Mama is sacrificing her best tablecloth to make an apron. Maybe James Otis can find something to sacrifice too? One thing he knows...the best gifts come from the heart.

My thoughts: I loved this one. It was SO good. I loved, loved, loved James Otis and his Mama. I did. I thought the solution was wonderful and sweet. I loved Sarah Temple's reaction to his gift. This book was just satisfying through and through.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Santa Bruce

Santa Bruce. Ryan T. Higgins. 2018. Disney-Hyperion. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bruce was a bear who did not like the holidays. He used to stay in bed all winter long and skip right through the whole business. But his family wanted to enjoy a cozy, snow-filled Christmas together. So Bruce was awake.

Premise/plot: Who is surprised that Bruce does not like Christmas? Anyone?! My favorite grumpy bear is back in Santa Bruce. It's another case of MISTAKEN IDENTITY. It all starts when Bruce starts wearing long underwear and a warm hat. Chaos follows.

My thoughts: I love, love, love these characters. Reading a story with Bruce in it just makes my day. This is the fifth book in the series. Unfortunately, my library does not have Hotel Bruce. (I have requested that they order it. We'll see.) I love the writing, the story, the characters, the illustrations. This series is a must if you like giggles.

Original audience born circa 2012 to 2015.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Bruce's Big Move

Bruce's Big Move. Ryan T. Higgins. 2017. Disney-Hyperion. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bruce was a bear who lived with four geese because he was their mother and three mice because they would not leave.

Premise/plot: This is the FOURTH picture book starring the ever-grumpy bear, Bruce. (Sadly my library does not have the third book, Hotel Bruce. Though I have requested they order it.) In this book, Bruce decides to move--with his "children," the four geese. He's hoping to lose the mice somewhere along the way. (Spoiler alert: He doesn't.) Will the move be good for his family?!

My thoughts: I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bruce. He's a FABULOUS character. His grumpiness is adorable. (Actual grumpiness in real life not so adorable most of the time.) The illustrations are hilarious and definitely add a lot to the story. The writing is wonderful as well. I liked his new community--Soggy Hollow Pond. And the new neighbors look like they will provide some humor--not that it was needed!

Original audience born circa 2012 to 2015.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Now We Are Six

Now We Are Six. A.A. Milne. 1927. 102 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When you are reciting poetry, which is a thing we never do, you find sometimes, just as you are beginning, that Uncle John is still telling Aunt Rose that if he can't find his spectacles he won't be able to hear properly, and does she know where they are; and by the time everybody has stopped looking for them, you are at the last verse, and in another minute they will be saying, "Thank you, thank you," without really knowing what it was all about.

Premise/plot: This is A.A. Milne's second volume of poetry written for children. His first was When We Were Very Young.

My thoughts: While I don't absolutely love, love, love Milne's two poetry collections as much as I love his two Pooh novels, I do appreciate them. My favorite poems from Now We Are Six include:

• Busy
• Binker
• Us Two
• The Engineer
• The End

From Busy

I think I am a Muffin Man. I haven't got a bell.
I haven't got the muffin things that muffin people sell.
Perhaps I am a Postman. No, I think I am a Tram.
I'm feeling rather funny and I don't know what I am--
BUT
Round about
And round about
And round about I go--
All around the table,
The table in the nursery--
Round about
And round about
And round about I go;
I think I am a Traveller escaping from a Bear;
I think I am an Elephant,
Behind another Elephant
Behind another Elephant who isn't really there...

 From Binker

Binker--what I call him--is a secret of my own,
And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone.
Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair,
Whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there.
Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy is the best since the world began,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan--
But they can't
See
Binker.

From Us Two

Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
"Where are you going today?" says Pooh:
"Well, that's very odd, 'cos I was too.
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he.
"Let's go together," says Pooh.

Original audience born circa 1920 to 1924.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

When We Were Very Young

When We Were Very Young. A.A. Milne. 1924. 100 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: At one time (but I have changed my mind now) I thought I was going to write a little Note at the top of each of these poems, in the manner of Mr. William Wordsworth, who liked to tell his readers where he was staying, and which of his friends he was walking with, and what he was thinking about, when the idea of writing his poem came to him.

Premise/plot: When We Were Very Young is a collection of poems dedicated to A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin Milne, aka Billy Moon. It was, I believe, Milne's first work for children. It wouldn't be his last.

My thoughts: If I loved poetry more, I think I would appreciate When We Were Very Young more than I do. I found the introduction charming. It does contain plenty of poems that I like, love, or even adore. Poems that are easier perhaps to adore if you were lucky enough to have heard them sung. (Winnie the Pooh: 17 Songs from the Pooh Song Book: Starring Jack Gilford. The album features: "Sing Ho! For the Life of A Bear," "Cottleston Pie," "Lines Written By A Bear of Very Little Brain," "Oh! The Butterflies are Flying," "I Lay On My Chest," "3 Cheers for Pooh," "They All Went Off To Discover the Pole," "Christopher Robin is Going," "Missing," "In the Fashion," "Halfway Down," Buckingham Palace," "Politeness," "The Christening," "Brownie," "Lines and Squares," and "Vespers."). My favorite poems from When We Were Very Young are:
 

Buckingham Palace
Lines and Squares
Politeness
Missing
Halfway Down
Teddy Bear

From Teddy Bear

A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our Teddy Bear is short and fat
Which is not to be wondered at;
He gets what exercise he can
By falling off the ottoman,
But generally seems to lack
The energy to clamber back.

From Missing

Has anybody seen my mouse?
I opened his box for half a minute,
Just to make sure he was really in it,
And while I was looking, he jumped outside!
I tried to catch him, I tried, I tried...
I think he's somewhere about the house.
Has anyone seen my mouse?

From Buckingham Palace

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace--
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.

Do you have a favorite Milne poem? 

Original audience born circa 1918-1922. 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Jungle Animals

Jungle Animals. Xavier Deneux. 2018. Twirl. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence word: crocodiles

Premise/plot: Jungle Animals is a board book in Twirl's Baby Basics series. It was created with very young ones in mind. Each spread shows a jungle animal--or jungle animals. There's just a word or two per spread.

My thoughts: This one features high-contrast illustrations. Think bold and bright. There's also a tactile element to the illustrations--there is usually something on every page that little hands can reach out and touch. (For example, the three ants about to be eaten by the ant-eater). I found the book to be engaging. The illustrations are just stunning.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: 1 Grumpy Bruce

1 Grumpy Bruce: A Counting Board Book. Ryan T. Higgins. 2018. Disney-Hyperion. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: 1 Grumpy bear, 2 uninvited skunks, 3 mice throwing a party, 4 geese helping...

Premise/plot: BRUCE is ONE grumpy bear. He is NOT having a good day. Will he still be grumpy at the end of the book?!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved Ryan T. Higgins' Mother Bruce. If you haven't read that picture book, you should seek it out. It's WONDERFUL. I really enjoyed revisiting this character in this counting board book. Bruce is a FABULOUS character. The illustrations are super-fun.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Finding Winnie

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. Lindsay Mattick. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. 2015. Little, Brown. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Could you tell me a story?" asked Cole.

Premise/plot: Cole, the author's young son, asks for a story--a TRUE story; he wants a true story about a BEAR. What the author shares with her son--in the story--and with readers--in the book--is indeed a true story. The story of how a young soldier on his way to war--the author's great-great grandfather finds a bear at a train station, buys it, and takes it with him. The bear's name is WINNIE. And when Harry Colebourn goes to the front, he leaves Winnie in the London Zoo. Many people loved going to see Winnie, but, the best known perhaps is A.A. Milne's young son.

My thoughts: I love several things about this one. I love the personal connection. The author is sharing her own family history with readers. Older readers may enjoy looking at the album at the back of the book. Many photos and captions are included. This grounds the book very well as being a TRUE story. It brings the story to life.

But I also enjoy the framework of this one. It is a book that celebrates storytelling and families. I believe it is a bedtime story he's asking for. I love the idea of parents sharing their own stories with children, and true stories at that! Throughout the story, readers hear the mother and son chatting. It works.

I also just genuinely love the writing of this one!


ETA: I read this first in 2016. I reread it again in January 2019. I love it just as much this second time reading it. I may even love it more. The author has now written a new book for young readers a fantasy novel from the bear's point of view.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sprinkle Sundays #3 The Purr-fect Scoop

The Purr-fect Scoop (Sprinkle Sundays #3) Coco Simon. 2018. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I knew it had to be there somewhere! I just had to find it.

Premise/plot: The Purr-fect Scoop is the third book in Coco Simon's Sprinkle Sundays series for young readers.  In the first book, Allie's parents get divorced. Allie moves with her mom and brother to a nearby town. She misses her best friends Tamiko and Sierra very much. Fortunately, these three friends find a way to be together each and every week. The second book is narrated by Tamiko. The third book is narrated by Sierra.

Sierra loves spending time with her best friends at the ice cream shop, but she doesn't always find it easy to get there on time. She's got a hundred things on her mind, and, all are calling for her attention. It doesn't help her focus any when her parents--vets--bring home a mama cat and her three kittens to foster. There is much adorableness to be had at home. Plus there is increasing tension between her and her twin sister. Will Sierra find a way to balance her super-busy life?

My thoughts: This may be my favorite of the three books. I love character-driven novels. This seems more character-driven than the previous two. I thought the characterization of Sierra and her family was well done. I would recommend this series. 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Meet Miss Fancy

Meet Miss Fancy. Irene Latham. Illustrated by John Holyfield. 2019. Penguin. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Frank loved elephants. He loved drawing elephants and talking about elephants. He loved their hosepipe trunks and their flap-flap ears, their tree-stump feet and their swish-swish tails. But not once, not ever, had Frank seen a real elephant.

Premise/plot: This picture book is set in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1913. It is loosely based on a true story. There was an elephant, Miss Fancy, whom schoolchildren helped to purchase from a circus for Avondale Park. Miss Fancy lived in her new home from 1913 to 1934. Birmingham, Alabama, as adult readers will no doubt know was segregated at that time--only whites were allowed. Frank, our fictional hero, is not allowed in the park nor allowed to visit Miss Fancy. But where there's a will, is there a way? 

My thoughts: I loved this one. First I just have to say that I love, love, love Frank. We're kindred spirits. I also love, love, love elephants. I love their hosepipe trunks and their flap-flap ears. Which brings me to the second thing I love: the writing or the narrative. What else did I love? The illustrations. The author's note. The fact that this is based on a real elephant and keepers. I found it a satisfying read. Frank did find his own way. In all honesty, I enjoyed it all.

The book is a good example--in my humble opinion--of an author showing instead of telling.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This Is My Fort

This Is MY Fort! (Monkey and Cake #2) Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Olivier Tallec. 2019. [February] 56 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Hello, Cake. Hello, Monkey. What are you doing? I am making a fort.

Premise/plot: Monkey and Cake are friends, best friends. In their second adventure, Cake is making a fort. Before Monkey even asks if he can play in the fort, Cake states:

I am making a fort to keep out Monkeys. No monkeys are allowed in my fort.

 Does Monkey get upset and throw a fit? Does he fight his way into Cake's fort? Does he call names? NO. No. No. Monkey gets clever.

The wall to your little fort is also the wall to my "rest of the world" fort.

 Will Cake realize that his way of playing fort is no fun at all? Will Cake want to join Monkey in his fort?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this second adventure. (The first adventure is WHAT IS INSIDE THIS BOX?) The back and forth dialogue is fun. (Perhaps a tiny bit repetitive, but still fun.) I think most--if not all--can relate to this story. It is a story about forts, playing forts. But it is also a story about inclusion and exclusion. It's no fun being left out and excluded. It offers a different perspective on play. For example, the wall that keeps Monkey out of Cake's 'no monkey' fort, is also a wall keeping him [Cake] inside. It's a wall between him and the rest of the world.


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Will Giraffe Laugh?

Will Giraffe Laugh? Hilary Leung. 2019. [January 29] Scholastic. 38 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Giraffe is grumpy. His friends want to cheer him up...but will Giraffe laugh?

Premise/plot: Giraffe's friends are trying really, really hard to cheer him up. Will they be successful in cheering him up? It may not be as easy as you'd think. He's SUPER grumpy.

My thoughts: I love this one. I have really enjoyed his previous books. If your little one has also enjoyed Will Bear Share?, Will Sheep Sleep?, and Will Ladybug Hug?, then you must seek out Will Giraffe Laugh? All these board books share an adorable cast of animal friends. I think I love these characters a little more with each new book.


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Real Stories From My Time: Pearl Harbor

Nanea, Real Stories From My Time: Pearl Harbor (American Girl) Jennifer Swanson. 2018. Scholastic. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence:  When most people think of Hawaii, they picture a lush, tropical island with miles of sandy beaches and palm trees swaying in the warm breeze--and that picture is pretty accurate!

Premise/plot: This AmericanGirl chapter book blends nonfiction and fiction together to teach young readers about the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The first three chapters give young readers a background on Hawaii. The remaining chapters focus on the attack itself and the aftermath.

Most chapters include a brief section set apart as Nanea's Story. This fiction story is set in a different font. There's no mistaking what is fiction and what is nonfiction in this one.

My thoughts: I haven't read many--if any--American Girl chapter books. I liked this one. Part of me can't help wishing that it was all nonfiction or all fiction. The Magic Treehouse series, I believe, often has a fiction book and a nonfiction companion book that go together.

Original audience born circa 2009 to 2011. 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sprinkle Sundays #2 Cracks in the Cone

Cracks in the Cone (Sprinkle Sundays #2) Coco Simon. 2018. 161 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My best friend Allie squeezed my hand. "Happy Sprinkle Sunday," she whispered to me. Then she whispered the same thing into our other best friend Sierra's ear.

Premise/plot: Cracks in the Cone is the second book in the Sprinkle Sunday series. In the first book, Allie's parents get divorced. Allie moves with her mom and brother to a nearby town. She misses her best friends Tamiko and Sierra very much. Fortunately, these three friends find a way to be together each and every week. Tamiko and Sierra are hired by Allie's mom to work in her new ice cream shop. The second book, Cracks in the Cone, is narrated by Tamiko. At first Tamiko is super-super excited at the idea of having a job. But she learns that having a job means actually working and that actually working means working hard even when it's not fun at all. Will Tamiko quit when the going gets tough? Or will Sierra and Allie talk her into staying?

My thoughts: I like this series. I do. It's the kind of series that I probably would have loved, loved, loved growing up. I like the themes of friendship and family that are strong in both books. Tamiko is a bit naive thinking that her ideas should automatically be put into practice in a new business--or an old business for that matter. But I'm happy to overlook that because the series is enjoyable.

I will happily keep reading as the library gets new books.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Once Upon a Zzzz

Once Upon a Zzzz. Maddie Frost. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Um...hello? Hi, kids! It's me, the illustrator! Hmm, it looks like the author has fallen asleep. So...I'll just tell you a story.

Premise/plot: When the author, "Ima Snoozen" falls asleep, the illustrator, Maddie Frost takes over writing the story. Her story stars two sisters--a llama princess and a penguin princess. The penguin princess tires of her older sister being the older sister...so when she sees a shooting star she makes a terrible, horrible wish. She wishes that her sister would go far, far, far away--all the way to the moon. Will Penguin Princess miss her older sister? Is there a way to get her back? And what will happen if/when the author awakes to find *her* book in such a mess?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was over-the-top silly. But while much is silly in this one, I think the feelings are all too easy to relate to for little ones--and sometimes grown-ups.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Express Train to Trouble

Express Train to Trouble (Miss Mallard Mystery) Robert M. Quackenbush. 1981/2018. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: At breakfast on the luxurious Nile Express, chaos broke out in the dining car. The world-famous ducktective, Miss Mallard, could not believe her eyes.

Premise/plot: When one of the train's passengers goes missing it is up to Miss Mallard to solve the mystery and find him in time. The passenger who disappears is a prankster who has given all the others ample reasons not to like him. But who has motive enough to want him gone?

My thoughts: I enjoyed the Miss Mallard mystery that I reviewed yesterday. I did. It was fun. It was enjoyable. But I enjoyed this one more. Perhaps because of the setting--a train in Egypt. Perhaps because it wasn't quite as silly.

I wish my library had more than just the two books. I would read them one and all if I could track them all down. 

Original audience born circa 1974 to 1976.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stairway To Doom

Stairway to Doom (Miss Mallard Mysteries) Robert M. Quackenbush. 1983/2018. 80 pages. Source: Library]

First sentence: A flash of lightning ripped across the night sky. Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective, paid the carriage driver and hurried up the stairway that led to Duckinbill Castle.

Premise/plot: Miss Mallard stars in a mystery series for young readers. In this one Miss Mallard is with family in an old Scottish castle--a will, Great Aunt Abby's--is being read. To inherit, each family member must stay in this "haunted" castle all night long. Miss Mallard seems fearless and fierce--she's a smart duck. But some of the other characters seem frightened, very frightened. Is there just cause for their fear? Is the castle truly haunted?

My thoughts: This is equal parts funny and absurd. I love, love, love the idea of a duck detective, a ducktective. It's a quick, fast-paced read geared towards young readers just getting comfortable with chapter books. The illustrations are super-fun.

I wish my library had ALL the books in this series. I really need to track them all down.

Original audience would have born circa 1976 to 1978.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Can You Find Pup?

Can You Find Pup? Vincent X. Kirsch. 2018. [October 23] Holiday House 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Tate likes to draw. Pup likes to play.

Premise/plot: Tate loves, loves, loves to draw. Pup longs to be drawn. But Tate doesn't seem to ever draw Pup. How can Pup make Tate draw him?!!

My thoughts: This is a guided reading level D. The story is simple but enjoyable. I liked it.

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


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains

The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains. Annie Silvestro. Illustrated by Paola Zakimi. 2018. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: A pine tree grew in the farthest corner of the tree farm. She sat alone on a small patch of land that bordered the train track.

Premise/plot: A pine tree on a tree farm love, love, loves trains. He's chosen to be a Christmas tree by a boy who love, love, loves trains. This book tells of his life before and after. (I was so pleased there was an after.)

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the descriptive writing.

The tree loved the trains--their speed, their click-clacking wheels, their powerful engines. When she heard the rumbling in the distance, the tree would stand tall, her needles tingling, then...ZOOM! Her branches would ripple in the wind as the train roared past.

The writing is so expressive. In just a few words, I was able to learn everything I needed to know to love this boy--and this tree.

One morning a little boy ran all the way to the farthest corner of the tree farm. He planned to pick a Christmas tree, but first he hoped to see a train. He watched the track. He waited. Then...ZOOM! His hair rippled in the wind as the train roared past. The boy smiled. He noticed the tree. She seemed to be smiling too.

The story was SATISFYING from cover to cover. (I loved the beginning, the middle, and the end.) It was so delightful to know that there was a happy ending--the tree would go back to being a tree. This was not The Giving Tree.

Original audience born circa 2011-2016.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers