136. Mister Rogers' Gift of Music

Mister Rogers' Gift of Music. Donna Cangelosi. Illustrated by Amanda Calatzis. 2022. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Fred Rogers looked directly into the television camera. He smiled and sang as if every child in America was in the room with him.... Miles away, north and south, east and west of his Pittsburgh studio, thousands of children throughout the United States tuned in to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Each child felt like Mister Rogers was singing just to them. They sang along like a neighborhood choir--together even though they were miles apart.

Premise/plot: Mister Rogers' Gift of Music is a picture book biography of Fred Rogers. The theme--for lack of a better word--is how his music (which was integral to the show) was a GIFT to children every time, every place; his music was a timeless gift that continues to keep on giving. The story tells how music shaped HIS own childhood and he went on to create music that would shape EVERYONE'S childhood. 

Quote: Music was sunshine! And Fred spread enough not only for an entire neighborhood, but for an entire country for generations.

Another quote: Everywhere Fred went, kids young and old sang to him... They sang and sang like a neighborhood choir--together, even though they had grown up miles and years apart.

My thoughts: Fred's music makes me emotional. In a good way, mostly. So it's hard not to want to get all gushy about a new book written by someone who loves his music just as much as I do. And it is gush-worthy. (Especially if you have a super-soft spot for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.) My life was definitely shaped by his music. 

The illustrations are priceless. There were spreads that I just did not want to turn the page because I was so HAPPY to spend all the time in the world looking and appreciating all the little details. I can't say that every single illustration of Fred captured my heart. But oh some of them really did. I absolutely LOVE the cover, for example.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

135. The Button Box

The Button Box. Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams. Illustrated by Harshad Marathe. 2022. 152 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Don't tell Granny Buena, okay?" Ava wiped her face on the sleeve of her sweatshirt. She hoped it wasn't obvious that she'd been crying most of the way back from school. Her cousin Nadeem paused on the steps of their grandmother's house. 

Premise/plot: Ava and Nadeem are first cousins and close friends. Ava is Jewish. (As is their grandmother). Nadeem is Muslim (like his mother). These two are tired of being teased by a bullying classmate. Their grandmother offers support, comfort, and a story...a story tied to the BUTTON BOX. This box of buttons has been passed on through the family for generations--centuries. Each button has a story. These two can't wait to hear about them all...

But this story takes them back--quite literally--to ancient Morocco just on the verge of a golden age of peace for Muslims, Jews, and Christians. 

My thoughts: I am NOT doing justice to this one. Sadly. Storytelling. Time travel. Family history. A cat (Sheba) with a magical jewel. It is a fantasy novel with a good, solid message. I loved the premise. The story--despite my horrible description--was quite intriguing. I enjoyed it very much.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

134. Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery

Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery. Raj Haldar. Illustrated by Neha Rawat. 2022. 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Eddie jumped out of bed as soon as the sun came up. He ran to the bedroom window and grabbed his end of the tin-can telephone, connected by string all the way to his friend Molly-Jean's house next door.

Premise/plot: Eddie and Molly-Jean are best, best, best friends (and neighbors). Every weekend, they have sleepovers. On the particular weekend this novel opens, the two are getting ready for (yet another) sleepover. But...this sleepover will be different. A seemingly innocent question...where did the word pajamas come from...will lead to a BIG adventure. And (of course it does) it involves a magical/enchanted book. (Officially it is the Awesome Enchanted Book). Soon these two find themselves in India...helping another kid solve a BIG mystery...and learning about a dozen words (give or take) that the English language inherited from India. (Inherited isn't the right word. I know. But Indian words that have directly influenced English words.) 

My thoughts: This one has a little bit of everything: some action, some mystery, some nerdy word-love, and perhaps a little geography as well. I definitely liked it. It was fun. I enjoyed seeing which words were introduced/highlighted throughout the story. (For example, the word shampoo...which comes from the Hindi word champo, meaning "to press or knead.") I felt like I was learning, but it wasn't so dinky or cheeseful that I hated it for being didactic.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

133. Charlie and Mouse Outdoors

Charlie and Mouse Outdoors. (Charlie and Mouse #4) Laurel Snyder. 2020. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Charlie was in the car. Mouse was in the car. Charlie and Mouse were in the car. "This is boring," said Charlie. "Why don't you make up a story," said Dad. "Stories aren't boring." 

Premise/plot: The family is out for an outdoors adventure. There are four interconnected stories: "Boring" (about the car trip there), "The Hike" (about an adventure/misadventure they have in the "great outdoors), "Kittens" (an adorable story about how they un-scare themselves from their previous hike), "The fire" (about a family celebration WITH s'mores). 

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, crazy love these characters. This is their fourth book of adventures. I love Charlie. I love Mouse. I love them both together. These two make my day. This one is about their camping adventures with the family. Highly recommend the whole series.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

132. I Can't Feel My Feet (Trouble at Table 5 #4)

I Can't Feel My Feet (Trouble at Table 5 #4) Tom Watson. 2020. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was Friday. It was cold. Super cold. 

Premise/plot: Rosie, Molly, and Simon are back for their fourth adventure. These three friends (all of whom sit at table five in their classroom) are teaming up to solve (yet another) problem. The weather is about to turn (even) cold(er). These three want to figure out a way for them all to keep warm on their walk to school. And maybe just maybe science can help them do just that. These three are about to learn all about friction.

My thoughts: I personally enjoyed the first three more than this latest addition to the series. But I do like the series as a whole. I'm not sure the effort it took all weekend and early in the morning would actually actually be worth it. But that could just be me. It does make sense for their personalities.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

131. Captain Pug

Captain Pug (Adventures of Pug #1) Laura James. 2017. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was an ordinary morning at No. 10, The Crescent, and everyone was busy except Pug and his freckled companion, Lady Miranda, who were both still in bed, snoring. 

Premise/plot: Pug is extremely food-motivated. Which leads to some trouble in this his first adventure--or misadventure. Lady Miranda (his owner) is invited to a birthday party. Of course Pug goes along. (As do her footmen in case there's any hard labor (or easy labor for that matter)). But when Pug is distracted by food in a picnic basket, well, his troubles begin...for he soon finds himself on a tourist bus far away from Lady Miranda...his only hope (according to Pug's logic) is to become a famous enough sea captain that Lady Miranda hears of him and comes to his rescue. (He's been dressed up as a captain). Will these two ever be reunited?

My thoughts: Pug has so many misadventures. I wasn't really worried about Pug until I realized I only had two or maybe three pages before THE END and these two were still far, far apart. The ending is so rushed. Readers do spend more time with Pug than Lady Miranda, which may be a good thing? But Pug is adorable as you could reasonably predict.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

130. School's In Crabby

School's In Crabby. Jonathan Fenske. 2022. [June] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Today is just another day at the beach.

Premise/plot: Plankton is super-super-super excited to play school. Crabby, however, is NOT. But reluctantly, these two play school. Plankton plays teacher first while Crabby is the only student. Later, the two switch places. Crabby playing teacher while Plankton takes his turn as student. Crabby gets the best lines (in my opinion).

My thoughts: I love Jonathan Fenske. This book is part of a series of early readers. Some of these characters also appeared in Fenske's picture books. The picture books--I won't lie--are some of my FAVORITE, FAVORITE, FAVORITE books to read aloud.

I liked this addition to the series. Crabby remains a favorite!

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

129. Doggie

Doggie. Nancy Armo. 2022. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I want a dog. Big or small. Ugly or cute. I LOVE dogs! A dog would be my best friend. We'd do everything together.

Premise/plot: A little boy dreams of having a DOG. But when his mom says NO, well, all seems lost...until a stray cat meows her way into the house. The little boy and the kitty (named DOGGIE) are skeptical of one another. He wants a dog. She wants to be a CAT (not a dog). But slowly and surely these two begin to warm up to one another until they are the best of friends.

My thoughts: I thought this one was good, sweet, fun. It was predictable in the best of ways. I love, love, love, love cats. So I do always try out all the cat books I find at the library. This one was good. I thought the illustrations were expressive. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

128. My Life Begins

My Life Begins. Patricia MacLachlan. 2022. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am nine year old when my life begins.

Premise/plot: Jacob, the protagonist, really wants a litter of puppies, OR, at the very least a single dog (or puppy). But alas, it is not to be. Instead, the family will be adding TRIPLETS. Jacob makes "the trips" (his special name for his siblings: Charlotte, Katherine, Elizabeth) his school project. He'll be noting their progress. (Perhaps observing is the better word choice). As the school year progresses, the triplets' development does as well. Soon each one becomes a unique, special, lovely individual whom Jacob has come to love, love, love. The term "trips" now seems derogatory and rude. Can Jacob find a better word for these three?

My thoughts: I wanted to love, love, love, love this one. I didn't. Not quite. I really adored the scene where one of the babies--Lizzie, I think?????--says "Jay" for the first time. He'd been a wee bit jealous that da da and ma ma were getting all the usage. 

It is my personal opinion that it's written more for adults than actual children. Just my opinion, mind you. But Jacob's reflections and the glamorizing of having THREE baby sisters...makes this one feels a little out of sorts. I mean these are perfectly perfect, idealized, dream babies. Everything just seems a little bit too syrupy sweet to be realistic. I think a little gritty realism of what it is really like to live with newborns and infants would make all the difference. 

I did like it. I don't regret reading it at all. There are some lovely passages. It is just an almost book for me. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

127. Balto (Animals to the Rescue #1)

Balto (Animals to the Rescue #1) Emma Carlson Berne. Illustrated by Francesca Rosa. 2022. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Balto twisted his neck to look at the strange leather straps on his belly. Another strap was fastened tightly across his chest. He chewed at it. 

Premise/plot: Balto is a nonfiction early chapter book. In 1925, Nome, Alaska, was experiencing a serious epidemic--diphtheria. Children were dying....but there was no way to get the much-needed medical treatment to the town in winter. The town desperately needed the antitoxin serum, but, the only way to transport it there was by dog sleds. So begins a dog sled relay that covers 650 miles... Balto was ONE of many dogs on many dog sled teams. But he was the lead dog on the last leg of the journey.

My thoughts: If I had been brave at any point of my life, then I probably would have heard of these heroic dogs long before now. But alas, dogs on covers of books were never quite my thing (as a kid). I found this (narrative) nonfiction book fascinating. I loved the history. I loved the illustrations. I liked everything about it.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

126. Richard Scarry's 5 Minute Stories

Richard Scarry's 5 Minute Stories. Richard Scarry. 2022. [May] 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Huckle and Lowly got out of bed.

There are many, many themed books in the 5 Minute Stories series. I typically don't seek them out for review. (For better or worse. Maybe I've been judging too many books by their covers.) But when I saw this book of RICHARD SCARRY stories, well, I knew I needed to read it. (I grew up on Richard Scarry). 

These are not new stories. Just a new arrangement of previously published stories. But I wasn't mad about it. Not at all. 

The stories in this collection are:

• The Busy Day
• Pig Will and Pig Won't
• A Visit with Tillie
• Sergeant Murphy's Safety Rules
• Dolly's Birthday Party
• Lowly Worm's Horrid Pests
• Good Friends and Neighbors
• A Day at the Fire Station
• A Day at the Police Station
• Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbors
• The Pig Family
• Going Shopping
• Corn on the Cob
• Guess Who?
• The Birthday Party
• Pig Won't's Decision
• Sergeant Murphy and the Banana Thief
• Ma Pig's New Car

Pig Will and Pig Won't get a LOT of time. There are so many different stories focused on Pig Will and Pig Won't. And the stories seem very repetitive and same-same. If I was reading this aloud to a child--say at bedtime--there's enough time between Pig Will and Pig Won't stories that it wouldn't be a big deal. And the stories are enjoyable--just very repetitive. 

I definitely LOVED, loved, loved some of these stories. Some of them are hilarious. I really enjoyed a Day at the Fire Station and Ma Pig's New Car. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

125. Why, Daddy? Why?

Why, Daddy? Why? Tamara Girardi. Illustrated by Nichola Cowdery. 2022. [May] 16 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Why are your arms so much longer than mine, Daddy? Why? So I can scoop you up into the biggest, best bear hugs!

Why, Daddy? Why? is a board book for little one starring BEARS. This one stars a super-super curious bear cub and his (or her) dad. This book celebrates family life. Each answer happens to demonstrate a father's love for his cub...

For example, "Why do you always sit in that big chair, Daddy? Why?" is answered with "So we can snuggle and read together!"

The book is cute and adorable. But what I really loved, loved, loved about it are the illustrations.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

124. Hello, Farm!

Hello, Farm! High Contrast Book for Babies. Amelia Hepworth. Illustrated by Cani Chen. 2022. [January] 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sheep baas. Hello! Chicken clucks. Hello! Pig oinks. Hello! Cow mows. Hello!

Hello, Farm! is a high contrast board book for the youngest of readers. (Or "readers.") This one is just about perfect to share with the littlest ones in your life. The illustrations are high contrast. Black and white illustrations with bursts of color on each page. Simple text. Simple illustrations. Plenty of interest visually. The cover offers tactile fun.

I do recommend for little ones. It is never too early to start a book habit with your little ones.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

123. Hello, World!

Hello, World. A High Contrast Book for Babies. Amelia Hepworth. Illustrated by Cani Chen. 2022. [January] 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sun smiles. Hello! Flower beams. Hello! Bee buzzes. Hello! 

Hello, World is a high contrast book for babies. The illustrations are high contrast, obviously. Mainly black and white illustrations with varying "bursts" of bright, bold colors on every page. Very simple as well. Perfectly matched to the simple text. 

The theme is....saying hello....until it isn't...until it is time for bed.

Hello, World [and it's companion books] are just about perfect for the youngest and littlest of readers. It is never "too early" to start a book habit with little ones. Parents can read aloud to little ones from the start. The simple illustrations and text are great for this young(est) age group. Little ones can grow into turning the pages on their own...and "tasting" the book as well. I do like the tactile features on the cover of this one. Very pleasing to the touch. Remember little ones explore the world through touch. 

I do recommend for little ones. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

122. The Puppy Problem

The Puppy Problem (The Daily Bark #1) Laura James. Illustrated by Charlie Alder. 2022. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Gizmo was a city dog. A prince of the urban jungle. His parks were plentiful and his lawns were mown. He and Granny owned the streets they....STOP THE PRESSES! GRANNY MAKES SURPRISE MOVE TO THE COUNTRY TO WRITE MEMOIRS! GIZMO SHOCKED.

Premise/plot: Gizmo is adjusting to life in the country. Gizmo soon meets Jilly, a neighbor dog, who has a problem. She's got a litter of puppies. Her puppies will soon be in need of new homes, and, she fears that all of her puppies will be placed far, far, far, far away. Gizmo takes on the mission to find--or to try to find--local homes for each of her pups. Along the way, he'll meet lots of dogs in the neighborhood. And he'll realize that perhaps just perhaps there's a place for him here. 

My thoughts: A doggy newspaper is just adorable. The story is adorable, sweet, fun. But what I really enjoyed most of all were the illustrations. The illustrations of all the dogs really bring a special charm to this one. I also love that Gizmo is a dachshund. SO CUTE AND ADORABLE. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

121. Sloth Sleuth

Sloth Sleuth. Cyndi Marko. 2022. 192 pages. 192 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Psssst. Hey you, kid. Wondering what a sloth is doing parasailing? And why there's a long line outside the diner?

Premise/plot: Set on the tropical island of Winklefuss, Sloth (and friends) always have plenty of mysteries to solve. Winklefuss, so we're told, is home to plenty of criminals--criminal animals to be more exact. Though some of the residents are human. (Including a librarian and a police officer). So what kinds of cases are ongoing in Sloth Sleuth? Well, someone is stealing all the nuts, but, that is more of a back-back-back burning story. The main mystery story is WHY so many people are being poisoned at the local diner. 

My thoughts: This one has half-a-dozen gimmicks or so. Don't expect tons of character development. Do expect plenty of sloth jokes--sloths falling asleep, sloths going slow, sloths pooping, etc. Paz, our sloth sleuth, is adorable. I won't lie. But the story wasn't much. The cast of characters has/had potential. But that same cast is also very large. So very few are developed. They do offer limited comic relief. Like the island's biggest crime boss being a goldfish still in the bag. But overall, as an adult reader, and an adult reader who isn't all that enthusiastic with graphic novels, I was a bit disappointed. I would be curious if kids in the actual actual target audience (mid-elementary) liked this one. Or perhaps they might even love it?

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers