50. Dear Mr. Dickens

Dear Mr. Dickens. Nancy Churnin. Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Think of someone famous you admire. What would you do if that person said or wrote something unfair? Would you speak up? Would you risk getting that person angry? Eliza Davis did.

Premise/plot: Dear Mr. Dickens is a nonfiction picture book for older readers telling the (little known) story of Eliza Davis' letters to Charles Dickens. She was upset (and rightly so) at the depiction of Jews in Dickens' fiction. Particularly in his novel, Oliver Twist, in his depiction of Fagin. While  (all) the "bad guys" in Dickens fiction weren't always Jewish, there weren't any good representation of Jews in his novels. She did hear from Mr. Dickens in reply to her letter(s), and thus began a correspondence of sorts that lasted several years. Eliza Davis was VERY pleased when Mr. Riah in Dickens' novel Our Mutual Friend. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I do think it is probably more of a picture book for older readers. I'm not sure that younger readers would have a context for understanding and appreciating this one. On the one hand, yes, it's a tale of 'social justice' if you will. Someone speaking up for what is right and fair; someone who is trying to make a difference--even if it is just persuading one person. But on the other hand, an understanding of Victorian society, of Victorian literature, of Dickens' place within both, a familiarity with Oliver Twist would be of great benefit for appreciating this one. I'm not sure this is the best introduction to Charles Dickens. The details that make this one of great interest to older readers might get lost for younger readers. Perhaps. 

Personally, I'm a big believer that you never outgrow picture books. 

To clarify, when I say older readers, I'm not saying high school. I mean this one isn't necessarily for preschoolers and pre-K. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

49. Smitten with Kittens

Smitten with Kittens. Florence Minor. Illustrated by Wendell Minor. 2022. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who isn't smitten with a kittens sweet mew
and all the cute things that kittens will do?

Premise/plot: Smitten with Kittens is a picture book written in verse celebrating all things kitten. 

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love the illustrations. The black-and-white "simple" drawings of kittens delighted me from start to finish. It was just a joy to read this one because of the super lovely artwork. The text was joyous as well. I liked the rhyming verse.

I also appreciated the spread of kitten (and cat) facts included in the back matter. I knew many of these facts because I'm a big fan of Kitten Academy on YouTube. Mr. A is always sharing lovely little tidbits along with showing off his adorable foster kittens. I think this is exactly the kind of book his wife DJ would enjoy.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

48. The Poet's Dog

The Poet's Dog. Patricia MacLachlan. 2016. 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I found the boy at dusk. The blizzard was fierce, and it would soon be dark. 

Premise/plot: The Poet's Dog is told from the point of view of a dog named Teddy. One winter's day, Teddy happens upon two children in great need. There's a blizzard and they need saving. Their mom has left them (and the car) to go off in search of help. Teddy takes the children to safety--to his own cabin. Teddy was the poet's dog. And Sylvan, the poet, raised him well. Teddy is "magical" if you will. He and the children can understand one another perfectly, of course. Because if you are going to be rescued by a dog, it must needs be a magical one that can talk. As they spend several days and nights together, a new family is formed. Teddy begins to let go of some of his grief at Sylvan's death. 

My thoughts: I liked this one well enough. It may not be a story that I feel the need to come back to again and again. But it was a compelling story. As the blizzard continues over the course of days, Teddy reflects on his past, his present, and his potential future. The children come to love the dog that saved them. (Of course they do!) They begin to hope that Teddy will become their forever-and-ever dog. Teddy slowly but surely begins to hope for the same. But it's more difficult for Teddy because he's so loyal to Sylvan's memory. 

Quote: Being alone confuses the truth about time.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

47. Wondrous Rex

Wondrous Rex. Patricia MacLachlan. Illustrated by Emilia Dziubak. 2020. 88 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am seven years old, and my life is soon to be full of "wondrous" happenings. "Wondrous" is a word I learned from my aunt Lily, a writer of books. Lily lives next door to me, and I go there after school while my mother and father are at work. 

Premise/plot: Grace, our young heroine, is encouraged to write her own stories--as is Lily--when Rex, a Labrador retriever, comes into their lives. A magical dog changes everything--for they can hear him talk and he always knows the exact right thing to say.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. Rex is never once in danger, which is a good thing for a book with a dog on the cover. The story was pleasant enough throughout. There wasn't any conflict. Which I don't mind horribly. Sometimes you just want a nice, safe, cozy book starring a lovable dog. But the tension remained low--will Grace, our seven year old heroine--start writing stories? The answer is predictable--yes, of course. But in reality there isn't really a wrong answer. Lily can do what Lily wants and seven is a little young to make that decision truly a life-altering one. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46. Bathe the Cat

Bathe the Cat. Alice B. McGinty. Illustrated by David Roberts. 2022. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Come on folks, it's time to clean! Upstairs, downstairs, in-between. It's such a mess! If Grandma sees...she comes at two, so HURRY please!

Premise/plot: Two dads and three kids race against the clock as the cat sabotages the list of chores (magnetic letters on the refrigerator) all in the cat's attempt to avoid getting a bath. As the letters get scrambled (by the cat) and the chores become nonsensical, mischief occurs--or nearly so. The cat isn't really in danger of getting mowed. (But the floor does get fed.) This scramble occurs several times throughout the book as it gets closer and closer to two o'clock. Will the cat be successful in his attempts???

My thoughts: I thought the chore scrambling was mostly amusing. I didn't love, love, love this one. Nor did I hate it. (I'd never go that far.) It just didn't quite meet my expectations. Reading in general is subjective. Reading picture books is especially so. Not every reader is going to *love* a book. A book can not be a good fit for you and be a great fit for another reader.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

45. The Cats and the Cake

The Cats and the Cake. Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss. Illustrated by Steve Henry. 2022. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is mine! No, this is mine!

Premise/plot: Two cats argue over a cake. The cake being argued over--the cake in question--is subsequently eating by a fox who happens to be passing by and sees an opportunity. The cats are sad about the cake...until the baker (a dog) brings out another cake--a bigger cake.

My thoughts: I will say this. It is simple. The vocabulary in this one seems to be about right for the audience. It is a level 'E' for those that are curious. I won't say it's worse than most 'E' readers that you'll come across in the classroom or the library. It's not. But it isn't the most amazing book you'll ever read either. Yes, it has cats...and cake. But neither 'save' the story and turn it into the most amazing early reader ever.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44. The City of Ember

The City of Ember. Jeanne DuPrau. 2003. 270 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark.

Premise/plot: The City of Ember is one of my all-time favorite books. Ember was built by the BUILDERS to protect humanity from its biggest threat in dark, dark days. Hundreds of years have passed, the inhabits of Ember know nothing of the world outside. They know nothing of blue skies and yellow sun. In part, the builders wanted it that way--to protect the people from knowledge of the past. But the time has come--has almost come and gone, in fact--for the people to leave Ember behind and rejoin the world above. The problem? The instructions have been lost. And only one person even knows that something important--something vital--has been lost and is worth searching for. And few take her words seriously because she's "senile" and "not herself." Lina Mayfleet, our heroine, stumbles upon these instructions quite by accident, and really all in thanks to her baby sister, Poppy. Will she be able to decode the instructions--what remain of them after Poppy's little snack--and solve the mystery? It is too big to solve on her own. But Lina has a few good friends that she thinks are trustworthy--and clever. The one who becomes her best friend is Doon Harrow. These two grow close as they work on solving the problems that threaten life as they know it.

My thoughts: I love this book. I do. I can't believe--in a way--that it was the author's first book. It is just MARVELOUS. I love the world-building. I love how thought-provoking it is. And I love the characterization. It is one of those rare books that defies expectations. It is premise-driven, plot-driven, and character-driven.

One of my favorite quotes:

The trouble with anger is, it gets hold of you. And then you aren't the master of yourself anymore. Anger is. (89)

 ETA: I have read this book half a dozen times at least. It is a true favorite. I don't always write new reviews of books that I have read *that* many times. There are only so many ways you can come up with an original-ish summary of the plot. And my love of the book hasn't diminished through the years. I believe I first read it in 2007.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers