17. Tally Tuttle Turns Into a Turtle

Tally Tuttle Turns Into a Turtle. (Class Critters #1) Kathryn Holmes. Illustrated by Ariel Landy. 2021. [August] 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It was the first day of school, and Tally Tuttle's stomach hurt.

Premise/plot: Tally Tuttle is anxious about starting her new school. (I believe the family has recently moved.) She doesn't know anyone, and, well, she'd rather not be the center of attention. She wants to make new friends, but, is nervous about that whole process too. So much *might* go wrong. What Tally Tuttle never expected in a hundred million years was that her new classroom has a BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG secret.

It wouldn't be a spoiler to say that involves human students TURNING INTO or transforming into animals. And, you guessed it, Tally Tuttle turns into a turtle! (Big shock, I know.) This becoming-a-turtle gives Tally a whole new perspective on life. If she ever wants to be human again, she'd better learn a significant life lesson.

My thoughts: This is the first in a new chapter book series for lower elementary grades. Personally, I loved, loved, loved the illustrations and thought they were super cute and adorable. The story is silly but relatable. (If that makes sense.) It is silly in that it has humans magically transforming into animals. It is relatable in that who hasn't been nervous when starting a new school or new class? Change--even little changes--can feel ENORMOUS.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

16. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting. (Cookie Chronicles #2) Matthew Swanson. Illustrated by Robbi Behr. 2021. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was definitely time to get ready for school, but Ben was still in bed. It was good to be in bed. I will stay in bed all day, thought Ben. I will live in this cozy, warm bed forever. Ben's stomach made a sound like a dying hyena. He remembered the problem with staying in bed. I want sausages, he though, and I want them right now. Ben jumped out of bed faster than a sneeze jumps out of a nose.

Premise/plot: Ben Yokoyama is starring in his SECOND adventure in Matthew Swanson's Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting. After a disappointing start to the day (involving sausages, or the lack of sausages), Ben is excited that his mom has packed a fortune cookie in his lunchbox. But Ben, well, he gets a little too excited about what this new fortune might be...and, well, he cheats. (It comes with a consequence, several consequences at least). His new fortune: GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT. When Ben starts applying this message to his life, well, things get complicated...

Because WAITING until the end to pick your partner for a class project, well, that doesn't seem like it could lead to a good thing. Waiting leads you getting paired up with the kid no one ever wants to pick. His name--Walter--and Ben has a connection to Walter. Long, long, long ago these two were friends... but that was then, not now. Can Ben and Walter make a good team for the class project--a scavenger hunt???

My thoughts: I loved, loved, LOVED this one. I would give it a hundred million stars if I could. (Instead, I'll give it five.) While the first book probably took place over a weekend, this one takes place over a week at school. I loved the world building, the characterization, and above all else the relationship-building. Also the narrative. I love, love, love that too. So descriptive. So relatable.

Quotes:

• Asking Ben if he wanted sausages was like asking a coyote if he wanted to howl.
• Ben looked at the sausages. The sausages looked at Ben. They loved each other so much.

I hope to reread the whole series again and again at some point. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

15. I Wish I Had a Wookiee

I Wish I Had a Wookiee: And Other Poems For Our Galaxy. Ian Doescher. Illustrated by Tim Budgen. 2021 [September] 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Long time ago," but when?
"Far, far away," but where?
Can we go back to then?
Can we please travel there?

Ian Doescher shares his love of all things Star Wars AND his love of poetry in this new poetry book. Poetry isn't always accessible and appealing. Poetry is perhaps even more subjective than prose. What one person connects with--engages--another person may find "blah" or "meh." For every poem--or nearly every poem--there is a person out there who will love it.

This collection has dozens (or scores?) of poems ALL Star Wars themed. These poems vary in length and narrative style. I think there's enough variety that EVERY reader will find a handful of poems to enjoy, poems that beg to be shared.

My personal favorite is "Ingrid is Chewbacca." I really love this one. The poem is about neighborhood friends gathering together on Saturday morning to play Star Wars. Everyone is assigned a role, but, Ingrid does NOT want to be Leia. Nope, Ingrid is determined that SHE will be Chewbacca. And she has just what it takes to succeed--the best Wookiee bray the gang has ever heard.

I also enjoyed "Old Mr. Jones and His Star Wars Collection." In that poem, a kid connects with a much older neighbor, Mr. Jones, over their shared love of Star Wars. 

I do think a love of Star Wars--or at least a certain familiarity with Star Wars--would help when reading this one. I don't think a love of poetry has to be there to begin with. The poems speak for themselves.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

14. ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance That Crossed Color Lines

¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance That Crossed Color Lines. Dean Robbins. Illustrated by Eric Velásquez. 2021. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Millie whirled.
Her arms waved and knees wriggled.
She danced to smooth jazz songs
in her Italian neighborhood.
Trumpets tooted.
Saxophones trilled.
No one danced to jazzy songs like Millie.
Pedro jumped.
His shoulders jerked and elbows jiggled.
He danced to snappy Latin songs in his Puerto Rican neighborhood.
Maracas rattled.
Congas rumbled.
No one danced to Latin songs like Pedro.

Premise/plot: Mambo Mucho Mambo is a picture book celebrating dance, music, and integration. Set in New York City in the 1940s, the book showcases how neighborhoods (of different cultures and ethnicities) came together--and DANCED together--to the new sound of Latin jazz. Soon dancing became socializing became so much more. This picture book mentions--by name--some of the couples dancing together. Millie and Pedro were a real life couple AND dance team from the time period. (Dance brought them together. AKA: They danced and danced and fell in love.) The book is told in verse.

My thoughts: After reading the book, of course I just HAD to look up the artist Machito & His Afro-Cuban Orchestra. (You can find them on Spotify. Here is a link to the Complete Columbia Masters.) There is a song called "Mambo Mucho Mambo".

I loved this one. I do enjoy a good book that celebrates music.

The illustrations were wonderful!!! 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

13. Monday Into the Cave of Thieves (Total Mayhem #1)

Monday: Into the Cave of Thieves. (Total Mayhem #1) 2021. [August] 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It REALLY annoys me when one gets into a Total Mayhem Situation before breakfast. Which is exactly what happened this morning.

Premise/plot: Dash Candoo (our young protagonist) is not having the best of days. Depending on how you define best, I suppose. His day is packed with action, adventure, danger, mystery, and a two-tailed Devil-Cat. After he handles the 'total mayhem' around breakfast time, Dash is off to school--along side his best friend, Rob Newman. But he doesn't attend just ANY old school. And his school day, well, it looks very little like yours....

My thoughts: If you want a book that is wacky, silly, funny, and super-packed with adventure and ACTION, then I do recommend this one. It is the first in a new series. I love that it's a super quick read. I think the fast pace plus the illustrations will make this one appealing to even reluctant readers.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

12. Yes & No

Yes & No. Elisha Cooper. 2021. [April] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Good morning, good morning! It's time to wake up. My dears, are you awake? Yes. No. Did you sleep well? Oh, yes. No, I did not. Are you both excited for the day? Yes, I am excited. Hmpff.

Premise/plot: Ready to spend the day with a cute, adorable puppy and oh-so-opinionated cat companion? Elisha Cooper's Yes & No chronicles the day's adventures with this animal pair capturing BOTH perspectives. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. Good news, it is not in any way (even remotely) sad! I liked that we get the perspective of both the cat and the dog. Both are charming in their own ways. I was not expecting several pages to be wordless. This isn't a bad thing, mind you. It would just make it slightly more tricky for a group read aloud. (But it wouldn't make a bit of difference for one-on-one sharing. And some books are just made to be read on a comfy, cozy lap.) I think pre-readers may also benefit from reading this one. The story can be read through the illustrations. And it is easy to predict who is saying yes and who is saying no.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

11. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom. (Cookie Chronicles #1) Matthew Swanson. Illustrated by Robbi Behr. 2021. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ben Yokoyama loved noodles the most. He loved them more than cheesecake, French toast, and kiwi fruit, which he loved almost the most.

Premise/plot: Ben Yokoyama is introduced to Chinese food and FORTUNE COOKIES by his Aunt Nora when she babysits him one night. His fortune: Live each day as if it were your last. Though he mostly knows that it is unlikely that the next day will actually-actually be his last day, this fortune inspires him to have ONE adventurous day. And that spirit of living life--living as if each day could be your last--is quite contagious as his family, friends, and even neighbors soon join in the adventures--and misadventures.

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I am so excited that there are at least two more books to read in this series. I loved Ben as a character and narrator. The narrative voice is quite memorable, in my opinion. I loved seeing the world through Ben's eyes. I did. I loved getting to know his family and friends. We catch a glimpse of his life--this book just covers one twenty-four hour period--but the characters feel SO REAL and oh-so-human. I loved the writing (as I mentioned earlier).

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Nora ate six noodles, Ben knew because he counted.... Ben felt sorry for Nora's noodles, sitting there unloved. Here, he said to the noodles, I'll make you feel better. Ben took Nora's plate and ate her noodles like an anteater eats ants. He was sad that his stomach was not infinite.

Everything was different now. Suddenly a lifetime had become a single day.

One of Ben's goals for any day, not just his last day but every single day, was to eat a piece of cake. Ben started a list. Ben looked at his list. It wasn't long, but it was already perfect.

His mom slept like a hibernating bear, which is to say, flat on her back with a pillow on her face. Ben's dad slept like a nervous rabbit, which is to say, tossing and turning and ready to start sprinting at the first sign of a fox.

Ben walked over to the piano and tried playing "Clair de lune." He started out fine but messed up when things got faster in the middle. He tried again, but his fingers got tangled like a kite string in a rosebush.

Ben's eyes got as big as marshmallows in the microwave.

"Am I going to like it?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer. "You'll like it the same way you like spinach." "I don't like spinatch at all." "Yes, but...?" "Spinach is good for me?" "Exactly."

What about all the things he hadn't even thought to put on his list because he didn't yet know that he wanted to do them?

Mrs. Ezra nodded at Ben and put her sunglasses back on. "Life is full of disappointing cakes, but we get out fresh ingredients and try again don't we?"

Ben ate that cake like a tornado eats a field of summer corn.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

10. Bear is a Bear

Bear is a Bear. Jonathan Stutzman. Illustrated by Dan Santat. 2021. [September] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bear is a bear hopeful and shy. Bear is a bear full of love. Bear is a new friend. Bear is a snack. Bear is a tissue. Bear is a soft, warm pillow. Bear is a bear covered in fuzz. Bear is a bear full of love.

Premise/plot: The many, many, many, many, many, many adventures (with a few misadventures perhaps???) of a girl and her teddy bear. The book opens with BEAR being given to a very young child. Throughout the book, we see them together through ALL that life has to bring. We see them together....until they aren't. But will Bear make a comeback???

As may be obvious from the cover art, Bear is presented throughout the book not as a TEDDY BEAR (a toy) but as an ACTUAL, ACTUAL, ACTUAL BEAR. It isn't until the very, very, very end of the book that readers catch a glimpse of him as a toy.

My thoughts: LOVELY. This book was absolutely lovely. There were definitely some bittersweet moments--from an adult perspective mainly. But the ending was redemptive, in my opinion. I don't know that a child would read this and feel any sadness whatsoever. Though perhaps a sensitive child might. I can't say for sure. 

I might have read it as a child and thought NO, NEVER, EVER, EVER WILL I EVER PUT MY BEAR IN A BOX AND FORGET ABOUT HIM. 

But I think the story celebrates LIFE and is very true-to-life. There were little details--like seeing the Bear provide comfort to the girl as she reads LITTLE WOMEN. (That book does need a warning label!!!!)

Is it more for adults than children???? I'm not sure. Perhaps. Probably. Does that matter??? I think adults *need* picture books too. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

9. Let's Dance (Ballet Bunnies #2)

Let's Dance (Ballet Bunnies #2) Swapna Reddy. Illustrated by Binny Talib. 2021. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Miss Luisa's School of Dance was surprisingly noisy when Millie turned up for her ballet lesson.

Premise/plot: Millie has kept up with her dance lessons despite the unfriendly welcome and the bullying. Those bunnies must be super-super cute to make up for it! In this second adventure, the school is preparing for a recital (or show). Amber the bully is sure that Millie who is absolutely new to dancing and hardly has any skills will 'ruin' the show. She is determined to find a way to keep Millie from the stage...but with a little help from the bunnies...things may be set right before the 'curtains open.'

My thoughts: I do have to say I was wrong. My first impression is that the school only had one class. I do think there are more classes and that they are determined solely and exclusively by age. Millie's class will be the 'spring fairies' carrying water-pots.

The bunnies are still super-super cute. Millie is becoming quite chummy with a classmate, Samira. And even better friends with the four bunnies.

I think for the target audience--young girls in lower elementary school--this one is cute enough and has plenty of appeal.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

8. Ballet Bunnies #1 The New Class

The New Class (Ballet Bunnies #1) Swapna Reddy. Illustrated by Binny Talib. 2021. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Millie had been dreaming of going to Miss Luisa's School of Dance for months now. So on her sixth birthday, when Mom surprised her with ballet lessons as a gift, she screamed so loudly with joy that she woke up the neighbor's dog.

Premise/plot: Millie loves, loves, loves the idea of learning ballet. But when she starts her lessons, she finds it disappointing and frustrating. She is the ONLY ONE in her class that is a brand-new beginner to ballet. Every other person in the class has been dancing ballet for years--or years and years and years--as the case may be. How can she be anything other than discouraged when she's so very far behind and out of her league. It doesn't help that a few of the students are less than thrilled that someone with no skills/few skills is now in their class and being partnered with them. Of course, one of the girls is just a BULLY pure and simple to anyone and everyone.

What makes Millie consider sticking with ballet is her discovery of the BALLET BUNNIES. Dolly, Fifi, Pod, and Trixie are BUNNIES that live at the dance studio. They help Millie out by a) being her friend b) encouraging her to stick with it and c) teaching her some ballet.

My thoughts: This is the first in a new series. I thought the bunnies were all kinds of adorable. I'm sure the idea of BUNNIES in tutus will add to the appeal. The book screams out read me, read me, read me with a certain audience. (The only thing that might add to the appeal is if there were unicorns too.)

I find it odd that Miss Luisa's School of Dance only has one ballet class and that ALL students regardless of their skills, abilities, and age would be thrown together in one class with one teacher. That hardly seems fair to any of the students. It would surely prove frustrating to the teacher and to all the students as well.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

7. Chester's Way

Chester's Way. Kevin Henkes. 1988. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Chester had his own way of doing thing....he always cut his sandwiches diagonally. He always gout out of bed on the same side. And he never left the house without double-knotting his shoes.

Chester, our LOVABLE and RELATABLE (mouse) hero, stars in Kevin Henkes' Chester's Way, a picture book celebrating FRIENDSHIP.

Chester without a doubt has his OWN WAY of doing things and living life. But fortunately for Chester, he is BLESSED with a friend, Wilson, who is similarly inclined. Chester is not alone and isolated for living life on his own terms--with his own quirks--because he has found a kindred spirit who sees the world the same way he does. Without Wilson, perhaps Chester's Way would not have been so cheer-y and happy.

The "conflict" in the book is when Lily comes to town--or enters the scene/picture. Is there a place for Lily in Wilson and Chester's world? Can Lily who has her own unique, quirky way of living life find her place in this friendship?

The answer of course is YES. Quirks = blessings in Kevin Henkes' fiction. I love the way these young mice come together and cement their friendship.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

6. Bright Brown Baby

Bright Brown Baby. Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. 2022. [January] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This book is a Treasury. And a Treasure You and a Treasure We. Yes, yes, yes -- get ready for sweet togetherness.

This new picture book is a treasury of stories. Each story will be released in board book format in the upcoming year. The stories (poems) are told in rhyme and feature lovely illustrations. 

Poems include "Count to Love," "Hey, Baby Girl!" and "Baby Boy, You Are a Star."

Simple text. Wonderful illustrations. The book promotes reading aloud to very young children--babies and toddlers. What's not to love about a book that celebrates LIFE and LOVE and FAMILY? 

I read the treasury. I almost wished I'd read each of the stories (or poems) as individual board books. I think in the board book format, this would be a great addition for many home libraries (and public libraries). Board books can be enjoyed by both parent and child. Children can be hands-on in the experience. A picture book with sixty-four pages seems a little unwieldy for holding on the lap WITH a baby. That being said, I think the quality of the text is good, strong, solid.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

5. The Quest for Snacks (Cat & Cat Adventures #1)

The Quest for Snacks (Cat & Cat Adventures #1) Susie Yi. 2021. [September] 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Squash and Ginny wait until their human leaves for work.

Premise/plot: The Quest for Snacks is an early chapter book told in graphic novel or comic book format. Two cats--Squash and Ginny--team up on a quest. The quest involves snacks, of course, which is to be expected. What you may or may not be expecting is this quest to involve spells and potions and magic wands. These two cats are concocting a magic motion which--if it succeeds--will lead to unlimited snacks. But going to get all the ingredients may prove dangerous...

My thoughts: I love, love, love cats. I wanted to really love this one. I did not. I just wasn't expecting cats to be mixing magical potions, etc. Plus the journey to get all the ingredients was just odd. I didn't need cat mermaids, for example, or evil spirits. This one just wasn't for me.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Motor Mouse Delivers

Motor Mouse Delivers. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2020. [August] 72 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Motor Mouse loved a good story.

Motor Mouse Delivers is an early chapter book; I believe it is the second in a new series by Cynthia Rylant. (I reviewed the first and third book in 2021.) This early chapter book has three stories: "Radio Mystery Book," "Day of the Double Decker," and "A Good Game of Croquet."

In the first story, "Radio Mystery Book," Motor Mouse reveals his preferences. He loves, loves, loves to read. He keeps a stack of books by his bed for nighttime reading. But, he never, ever, ever reads mysteries at nights. In this short story, Motor Mouse discovers something new and delightful: A RADIO MYSTERY show. The show adapts mystery (books) into radio serials. He is captivated!!! The only thing that would improve the experience is a good CUP OF TEA. The next day he comes prepared!!! But....Motor Mouse is also super-super-super tempted to go to the library to check out the mystery from the radio show to read what happens next. Will he give into temptation?????

In the second story, Motor Mouse has car trouble and is forced to change HOW he makes deliveries...while it is being repaired. He is forced to change, adapt, go with the flow. Will Motor Mouse have fun???

In the third story, Motor Mouse is once again spending time with his brother Valentino. This time...obviously...the two are playing croquet.

I love, love, love, crazy love the first story. The three books as a whole are good. Some stories are more memorable than others. But Motor Mouse is a likeable character.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Captain Cat and the Pirate Lunch

Captain Cat and the Pirate Lunch. (Ready to Read Pre-Level 1) Emma J. Virjan. 2021. [December] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Three yellow birds land on a ship. Three yellow birds want to take a trip.

This is a Ready-to-Read PRE-Level 1 book. Don't expect more than that. Don't expect this to be a super-amazing, entertaining read that you will cherish forever. It is a simple story with minimal text and minimal illustrations. That being said, for the story to make sense, you have to do a LOT of reading between the lines, work with your assumptions/presumptions, and reason out what is happening. You almost have to ask yourself WHAT are the characters feeling or thinking, WHY are the characters doing this or that, etc.

For better or worse, I read this the first time and was just plain confused. I read it a second time and came up with a story that almost makes sense? The text isn't the clearest. It may be simple, but, in my opinion, it isn't clear.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Poems from When We Were Very Young

Poems from When We Were Very Young. A.A. Milne. Illustrated by Rosemary Wells. 2021. [October 26] 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: John had
Great Big
Waterproof
Boots on;

Premise/plot: This new book is not a reprint of the whole collection of poems originally published as When We Were Very Young. The original collection first published in 1924, had over forty poems. (If and only if I counted correctly 43???) This new picture book newly illustrated by Rosemary Wells (THE Rosemary Wells!!!) has a fraction of the poems. It has twelve poems.

Happiness
Rice Pudding
Disobedience
Lines and Squares
Independence
Halfway Down
The Three Foxes
The King's Breakfast
Puppy and I
Buckingham Palace
Jonathan Jo
The Third Chair (Nursery Chairs)

My thoughts: Rosemary Wells. If you love, love, love Rosemary Wells, then this book is probably worth your time. (Especially if you can preview it at the library first). The poems are definitely accessible. The book even includes vocabulary helps to help bridge the gap between the generations. This book moves quickly.

This one doesn't have *all* the poems I loved from the original book. It's not that the original book was my favorite and best book ever--it wasn't. Between Milne's two poetry books, I found a dozen poems (perhaps a few more) to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Poems that really became a part of my childhood. The rest, well, the rest just were...

All things being said, the ORIGINAL book and the ORIGINAL illustrations are magical for me for nostalgic reasons. But I don't have a grudge against this new book. I do like Rosemary Wells. I do think many of the poems chosen were well chosen.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Forty Winks

Forty Winks: A Bedtime Adventure. Kelly DiPucchio. Illustrated by Lita Judge. 2021. [October 26] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "It's time for bed!" the Wink parents said.

Premise/plot: The Wink parents have THIRTY-EIGHT to put to bed to be precise! The Winks are a family of MICE. This bedtime book goes through the usual routine--though a bit more intense perhaps--that parents go through daily when caring for little ones. The illustrations give details to ALL thirty-eight children highlighting the fact that each child is unique, special, loved. (The book also lists ALL of their names under their illustrations at the beginning. The names are definitely FUN and SILLY.)

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I love the illustrations. Some of the Winks are just so absolutely adorable. You could definitely pick a favorite to follow throughout the book. Perhaps a new one each time if you're going to choose it as an again-again-again book with little ones. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers