99. Too Many Lollipops

Too Many Lollipops. Robert M. Quackenbush. 1975. 32 pages. [Source: Book from my childhood]

First sentence:  One sweltering Sunday Henry the duch had a headache. So he called his doctor. The doctor told him to wear a woolen bonnet, and rest...and EAT A LOT OF LOLLIPOPS. Out shopping on muggy Monday Henry the duck was caught in a flash storm and got a sore throat. The doctor told him to wrap a scarf around it, and rest...AND EAT A LOT OF LOLLIPOPS.

Premise/plot: Will Henry the duck need a new doctor, a better doctor by the end of the week?!?!

My thoughts: Too Many Lollipops is one of my favorite books from childhood. It is definitely one of the more memorable. It has lollipop end papers. The repetitive text which just keeps building and building and it is just DELIGHTFUL. I love the illustrations as well.

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

 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

98. Newton & Curie: The Science Squirrels

Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels. Daniel Kirk. 2020. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Newton was sitting under a tree when an apple bounced off his head. 

Premise/plot: Newton, a squirrel, becomes fascinated with how the world works [aka science] after an apple falls on his head. Curie, his sister, is perhaps less fascinated but she is super playful. [She likes the end results.] These two squirrels observe the humans, in particular he observes the nearby SCHOOL (and playground). He takes advantage of proximity and learns (not without some failures). This one focuses on simple machines. 

My thoughts: I was looking for an "N" title for my Alphabet Soup Challenge. This science-themed picture book stars two adorable squirrels. It definitely packs a few science lessons into the main story narrative. There's even a glossary at the back of the book. It was cute to see science-in-action since it was squirrel-sized science. (Newton figures out how to make a squirrel-sized seesaw and a squirrel-sized swing.)

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

97. Twenty Questions

Twenty Questions. Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Christian Robinson. 2023. [March] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: How many animals can you see in this picture? How many animals can you not see in this one because they're hiding from the tiger?

Premise/plot: Twenty Questions is a book of...you guessed it...twenty questions. The first two questions seem to flow into one another. You might get the idea that the whole book flows together. (It doesn't). The questions relate (somewhat???) to the illustrations. But there are no answers--obvious answers or more subtle answers--to the questions. (Except perhaps the first spread which literally asks readers to count the animals on the page. Again giving a false impression of the type of questions the author will be asking). The questions are more of the "out of the blue" and "huh" sort. Questions like, "Which of these ladies just robbed a bank?" and "Which of these children is dreaming of peaches?" I know kids are supposedly known for asking a million random questions, but, this book seems to push even that.

My thoughts: What if this book wasn't by Mac Barnett? Would it have been published at all? Would it be receiving positive reviews? Would the publishers be taking a chance on this one if say, for example, it was by a first time author? Can Mac Barnett get away with publishing anything? Who wrote the jacket flap? Did the person who wrote the jacket flap sincerely mean it? Is there ANY part of this book that is profound? Playful, one of the descriptions, I can see. But profound? And charming? 

The book is pointless. Quirky, yes, but also extremely pointless. Unless (traditional) story narratives are not your thing. I mean I guess there could be some readers who hate books that have an actual story, actual plot, actual characters, actual reason to exist. (Yes, this one has a reason to exist. I'm sure. I won't spell out what it is. But you might can guess.)

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

96. Picky Panda

Picky Panda. Jackie Huang. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Everyone called him Mr. Panda. He was a very picky panda. Mr. Panda worked in the corner office on the highest level of the tallest building, where he made very important decisions. For Mr. Panda, decisions were easy. Everything was either yes...or no. Good...or bad. Right...or wrong. Black...or white.

Premise/plot: Mr. Panda likes his black and white world...literally. If it's not black OR white, then it's wrong. When someone gifts him a red flower, he becomes out of sorts. It's a lovely gift...but can it fit into his world? Through his perspective, his so-called 'picky' perspective, the flower just looks completely out of place no matter where he puts it. Can he find a place...a literal place...for color in his life.

This one is a lift-the-flap book.

My thoughts: I'm conflicted. I think perhaps I am overthinking this one a bit too much. I am making an assumption--right or wrong--that the book is meant to be humorous. Ha ha look at Mr. Panda act totally ridiculous. I personally didn't find the book humorous. (Then again, maybe that wasn't the author's intent?) 

I didn't find the book written to encourage empathy or understanding for Mr. Panda. (Though perhaps that wasn't the author's intent either?) There can be beauty in the simplistic 'order' of black and white. Black and white is not without its own perfect beauty. 

What I am missing in my analysis of this one is a sense of what Mr. Panda *actually* feels. What is it about black and white does he love? Is it a need, an impulse, a compulsion to have things be black and white? Is it just a slight preference? What is it about color that displeases him? How does seeing color effect him? Does color overwhelm him? What kinds of physical, mental, emotional reactions does he experience as he wrestles with color? His reactions to it feeling "wrong" may not seem "logical" to readers, but it doesn't negate his actual reactions.

Again, I'm 1000% overthinking this one. I am. I know I am. But it just didn't strike me as funny or inspiring. If it's meant to be inspiring, then it's a bit simplistic. There's always more going on behind the scenes.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

95. Ode to a Bad Day

Ode to a Bad Day. Chelsea Lin Wallace. Illustrated by Hyewon Yum.  2023. [April] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Oh Bad Morning,
eyes are crusty, bones are rusty.
Why do all my teeth feel dusty?
All I see is gray ahead.
Can't I stay inside my bed?
Oh you Bad Morning. 

This picture book is written in rhyming verse. This little girl is having a BAD DAY. From morning to evening, this littler girl is experiencing it all. (Including a verse to Missed Pudding.)

My thoughts: This was a FANTASTIC picture book memorializing a truly terrible day. Super relatable, good for all ages. I loved this one so much. The illustrations are so expressive. The art definitely complements the text well. If you like a little drama, this one is a great find.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

94. Meet Danitra Brown

Meet Danitra Brown. Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You oughta meet Danitra Brown,
the most splendiferous girl in town.
I oughta know, 'cause she's my friend.
She's not afraid to take a dare.
If something's hard, she doesn't care.
She'll try her best, no matter what.
She doesn't mind what people say.
She always does things her own way.
Her spirit's old, my mom once said.
I only know I like her best
'cause she sticks out from all the rest.
She's only she--Danitra Brown.

Premise/plot: Zuri Jackson, the protagonist, is sharing a collection of poems about her best, best, best, best, best friend, Danitra Brown. The book celebrates friendship and life (and youth). Each poem is illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. There are more in the series. Sadly my library doesn't have the others. The illustrations capture such timeless 'small' moments in life. They are just a JOY. So expressive, so wonderful. The poems also celebrate the 'small' moments in life. Each poem highlights the friendship between these two girls--the ups and downs and everything in between.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

93. Sometimes Babies...

Board book: Sometimes Babies. Charlotte Trounce. 2021. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sometimes babies can be big...and sometimes they are small. Sometimes babies can be short...and sometimes they are tall. Sometimes babies can be shy...and sometimes they are jumpy. Sometimes babies can be brave...and sometimes they are grumpy. Sometimes babies can be sweet...and sometimes they are squeaky. 

Cute rhyming book for parents to share with their little ones. It isn't quite a book of opposites (around the halfway mark the book makes a definite turn). But what it is on every single page is cute, adorable, super-sweet. Each spread features animals--parent and child. 

I liked this one. I did.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

92. Palace of Books

Palace of Books. Patricia Polacco. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a sunny day. 

Premise/plot: Patricia Polacco is sharing memories from her childhood in her newest book Palace of Books. As a young girl, she moved from the country [family farm] to a bigger city. She writes of going to school and discovering the library. But as a young child especially, she's drawn more to ART and NATURE (particularly BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, MORE BIRDS) than to reading and writing. She has no interest in the children's section of the library--she doesn't want to read books--but she's super-drawn to the adult art section. The librarian befriends her and teaches her about John James Audubon and the Audubon Bird Club. 

My thoughts: I really wanted to love and adore this one. Patricia Polacco has written some of my favorite picture books (for older readers). Usually her picture books are super-text-heavy. (I don't mind a bit.) She tells (often) stories from her family tree. She writes what she knows, and knows what she writes. This fits in exactly with what she's done in the past. So if you are a fan of her books, then chances are you'll appreciate this one too.

My expectations were too high. I saw PALACE OF BOOKS and thought this would be a book about books, a book about the glory of books, a book about the magical wonder of discovering books, about libraries as being the place to discover your people, your place to belong, your home away from home. And, in part, I suppose it is. It does celebrate her relationship with one librarian. But what I wasn't expecting--because I didn't read the description at all--was birds, birds, birds, birds, birds, and more birds. I couldn't relate to wanting to learn more about birds, liking to bird-watch, drawing birds, etc. This hobby is the primary focus of the book. 

Reading is so subjective. I can appreciate many things about this one and still not personally love it.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

91. A Day in the Sun

A Day in the Sun. Diana Ejaita. 2023. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Good morning, Sun!

Premise/plot: Each two-page spread of this new book is set in a different country. (The first spread is Madagascar.) The narrative praises--almost to the point of worship and adoration--the sun, the universal sun that unites us one and all. Each spread takes note of a reason to love the sun, to be thankful for the sun. The book ends with a, "Good night, Sun. Thank you for today."

 My thoughts: Reading is subjective. Reading is subjective. Reading is subjective. This one wasn't for me. I didn't care for the illustrations--though you might. I didn't care for the narrative--though you might. I liked the concept of each spread being set in a different country. The book is a love song to the sun. But it isn't just a lower-case, sun. It is an upper-case Sun. While many pages are mostly harmless, I didn't like the ending..."The Sun gifts every one of us with life! Good night, Sun. Thank you for today." It just felt OFF. Again, reading is subjective. Perhaps this isn't a picture book intended to turn little ones into literal sun-worshipers. I'm not saying that it definitely is. I just felt it was odd there towards the end.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

90. Caps for Sale

Caps for Sale. Esphyr Slobodkina. 1940. 48 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy]

First sentence: Once there was a peddler who sold caps. But he was not like an ordinary peddler carrying his wares on his back. He carried them on top of his head. First he had on his own checked cap, then a bunch of gray caps, then a bunch of brown caps, then a bunch of blue caps, and on the very top a bunch of red caps.

Premise/plot: One morning--after having no luck selling his caps--he decides to take a detour, a walk in the country. This leads to a nap, of course! While under a tree--sleeping--some naughty monkeys steal almost all of his caps!!! Can the peddler outsmart the monkeys?

My thoughts: My mom loved to read this one aloud!!! She did a great job voicing the angry peddler yelling at the monkeys! It's a fun book and very silly.

 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

89. Stars of the Night

Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport. Caren Stelson. Illustrated by Selina Alko. 2023. [February] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When we were seven or eight or nine or ten, our home was the old city of Prague. In the summer when the sun lit up the sky, our mothers brought us to the city parks. We counted the boats on the river and had picnics of dark bread with cheese and slices of our mothers' sweet honey cake.

Premise/plot: Nonfiction picture book for older readers. (Mid-to-upper elementary grades). Narrative nonfiction--history--set around the Second World War. This picture book is unusual/unique in that it is told in first person plural; it is a collective story; it uses we and our pronouns. The book tells of the kindertransport--a mission to rescue Jewish kids and get them OUT of Nazi-occupied countries. (In this case, Czechoslovakia). 

My thoughts: I'd read a book for an adult audience on this subject matter. I'd watched a documentary as well. I was fairly familiar with the subject. This is such an emotional story. But I don't mean that it has added melodrama or theatrics to history. The plain, bare facts are enough to break your heart as you read. I think the collective "we/our" works with this one. I don't want to say it "makes" it personal or more personal. But I think it helps with empathy. 

There are not that many picture books about the Holocaust and the Second World War. There are a handful for sure. But not hundreds. (I can think of several starring Anne Frank. It is always refreshing to see a book that doesn't limit the story to being just Anne's story.) There are so many voices, so many stories--each one deserving of being heard.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. A Fine, Fine School

A Fine, Fine School. Sharon Creech. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 2001. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Keene was a principal who loved his school. Every morning he strolled down the hallway and saw the children in their classes. He saw them learning shapes and colors and numbers and letters. He saw them reading and writing and drawing and painting. He saw them making dinosaurs and forts and pyramids. "Oh!" he would say. "Aren't these fine children? Aren't these fine teachers? Isn't this a fine, fine school?" 

Premise/plot: What happens when Mr. Keene, the school principal, gets CARRIED away with the idea of having a fine, fine school??????? Mr. Keene is so incredibly proud of how wonderfully FINE his school is, that he always has to push, to strive to make things even better. But is there such a thing as TOO much????

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one so much. I can't believe I'm only now discovering this one. I had no idea Sharon Creech ever wrote picture books. So what led me to seek this one out? to discover it? I saw that there is a sequel coming SMART, SMART SCHOOL. The premise to that one sounds awesome. I knew I needed to go back and pick this one up.

This is a funny picture book that I'd recommend to teachers and students.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

87. Betsy-Tacy

Betsy-Tacy. Maud Hart Lovelace. Illustrated by Lois Lenski. 1940. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was difficult, later, to think of a time when Betsy and Tacy had not been friends.

Premise/plot: Betsy meets Tacy, her new neighbor, at her fifth birthday party. The two girls become instant best friends, near sisters. These two are inseparable. They want to do everything together--always together. This book focuses on their time together--at home, at school, etc. The book concludes with the two meeting another little girl near their own age, Tb.

My thoughts: I have no memory of reading Betsy-Tacy growing up. I'd heard of the book series certainly. But if I'm honest, I thought it was literally about ONE girl named Betsy-Tacy. These books are set around the turn of the twentieth century. Yes, it was published originally in 1940...but Betsy and company would have been born in the 1890s. 

The book is interesting in that it feels TIMELESS and time-specific. The two things shouldn't both be true. The book feels timeless because it captures childhood realistically--family life, friendship, thoughts and feelings about school. Some things never change. It feels time-specific because of the descriptions and illustrations. It feels delightfully historic. I like that about it.

One thing that struck me, and it's a slight spoiler, is that Tacy has a sibling--younger, I believe--die. This would have been more common during this time period. I loved how this was handled. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

86. Horton Hatches the Egg

Horton Hatches The Egg. Dr. Seuss. 1940/1968. Random House. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Sighed Mayzie, a lazy bird hatching an egg:
"I'm tired and I'm bored
And I've kinks in my leg
From sitting, just sitting here day after day.
It's work! How I hate it!
I'd much rather play!
I'd take a vacation, fly off for a rest
If I could find someone to stay on my nest!
If I could find someone, I'd fly away--free..."

Plot/Premise: Mayzie does not want to hatch her own egg. So Horton, the elephant, steps in and does the job for her. It isn't that he loves the work either. But..."an elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!" He said that he'd take care of the egg, and he will. Because he always means what he says and says what he means. He's faithful through and through. What will happen when the egg hatches? Will Horton's steadfastness be rewarded?

My thoughts: I love this one. I do. I have loved this one since childhood. I'm not sure I could choose which Horton book I like best: Horton Hatches an Egg or Horton Hears a Who. Both illustrate great lessons. I don't mind the lessons so much in either one of these!

His previous book, The King's Stilts, was about balancing work and play. And again, we see those themes at work in Horton Hatches An Egg. Mayzie is an incredibly selfish and lazy bird. She tricks the good-hearted Horton into sitting on her nest and hatching her egg. She lies to him as well, promising that she'll only be gone for a short amount of time, she has every intention of coming back soon. Horton is a great contrast. He endures much, suffers much. But he's calm and steadfast. He's diligent and faithful--disciplined. 

I never noticed in my childhood HOW LONG Horton is sitting on that egg! At least three--if not all four seasons--go by! That is quite a LONG wait. I don't imagine that it is at all realistic for any species of bird. Of course, it didn't take away the enjoyment of the story.

I love the surprise ending. Do you?

Have you read Horton Hatches An Egg? Did you like it? love it? hate it? Do you prefer it to Horton Hears A Who? Or do you--like me--love both books almost equally? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

85. Pat the Bunny

Pat the Bunny. Dorothy Kunhardt. 1940. 18 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Here are Paul and Judy. They can do lots of things. You can do lots of things, too.

Premise/plot: Pat the Bunny is an interactive book for very young children. It was originally released in 1940. I don't know how many other books for VERY young children existed at the time. (Certainly not as many as there are in recent decades). But this is one of the books from 1940 that has lived on, if you will, from its original publication and become somewhat iconic. (Though perhaps less so these days? I know it was iconic in my own childhood.)

Judy and Paul do "lots" of things. "Judy can pat the bunny. Now YOU pat the bunny." Judy can play peek-a-boo with Paul. Now YOU play peek-a-boo with Paul. Paul can smell the flowers. Now YOU smell the flowers."

My thoughts: Pat the Bunny is one of the books I remember my mom reading to me. I could NOT find my own copy--perhaps long destroyed????--for the purposes of review. Though it has been decades since I last read Pat the Bunny, I remembered more than half the activities. I think, for some generations at least, this book is iconic. I'm not sure it is *still* iconic for the past few generations. Is this still being bought and read today? Has it been replaced with other board books, other interactive books in the past fifteen to twenty years? Perhaps. I don't know. I know that Guess How Much I Love You and Love You Forever are certainly become icons. Goodnight Moon--an older title--is still an ever-present icon. 

This one is a spiral bound interactive, "activity" book. I haven't heard any outlandish stories about it being canceled, but, honestly it wouldn't shock me if there was someone out there somehow, somewhere who could find reasons to take offense at this one.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

84. The Story of the Saxophone

The Story of the Saxophone. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illustrated by James E. Ransome. 2023. [March] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The story of the saxophone doesn't begin with Dexter Gordon or Charlie Parker. This story isn't told by Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. It didn't start on a New Orleans street corner with Sidney Bechet. It began in 1814, far, far away, across the seas, in Dinant, Belgium. The story began with a young boy named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax, the only son of an instrument maker. Everyone called him Adolphe. 

Premise/plot: Nonfiction picture book. Picture book biography. Music appreciation. Narrative nonfiction. This one is the story--starting with its invention--of a musical instrument--the saxophone. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I don't know that I find the opening sentences super compelling. But once the focus turns to the past, I found myself hooked. I enjoyed reading about the ups and downs--the trials--of this newfangled, "new" noise-maker. It wasn't always appreciated or accepted. I liked seeing Sax's determination and gumption. I liked seeing his hardwork pay off. I liked tracing the journey of the saxophone from the past to the present.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

83. Zoobilations!

Zoobilations! Animal Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian. 2022. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The Weasels
We weasels wear brown summer coats.
We weasels are at times called "stoats."
In winter we wear coats of white
with which we weasel out of sight.

Premise/plot: Douglas Florian's newest poetry book is a themed collection--animal poems. The poems are short--delightfully so. Many feature word play, a pun, a joke. (For example, his poem "Sea Gull" plays with the concept of being gullible.) Each poem features a [painted] illustration.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I am partial to Douglas Florian's work to be completely honest. I've never been disappointed by his work. I would recommend this one.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

82. The World and Everything In It

The World And Everything In It. Kevin Henkes. 2023. [March] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: There are big things and little things in the world. Little animals. Tiny flowers. Pebbles. Things so small you can't see them. The big things are big. The sea. The sun. The moon.

Premise/plot: Is there a plot to The World and Everything In It??? Maybe a slight one. It's more of a perspective-reflective poem than a 'proper' story. (Not that poems aren't proper. But not all poems tell stories. Nor should they.) So the premise--big is big, small is small, and in-between is in-between.

My thoughts: I am conflicted. Kevin Henkes' illustrations are predictably delightful. While some of Henkes' picture books are equally strong in story AND illustrations, this isn't one of them. It's a quiet, subtle book. It's an opportunity to look at Henkes' artwork. To perhaps have conversations with a child on your lap. Ask questions--what do you see? can you find the kitten? etc.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

81. Pocket Full of Sads

Pocket Full of Sads. Brad Davidson. Illustrated by Rachel Mas Davidson. 2023. [April] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: My heart feels heavy, like my pocket's full of sads. Like when you get a new toy and it breaks on the first day. Or when you wait for your best friend to sit with you and they sit with someone else. I don't know why I feel this way, but it won't stop.

Premise/plot: Bear has a pocket full of sads. Rabbit, his friend, stops by ready and eager to go fishing. But Bear just isn't ready to spring out of the door. Rabbit tries, and tries, and tries, and tries, and tries, and tries (her best) to cheer Bear up. But it is only in her silent companionship that Bear begins to feel better. 

My thoughts: I like this one. Rabbit is a lovable friend. I don't blame her for her busy activism in trying to cheer Bear up. But she is a little too much to handle. I'm glad that Bear didn't lose patience with Rabbit. (It might have been so easy to just yell at her to go away.) Bear and Rabbit seem like good folk.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

80. Orange Excavator

Board book: Orange Excavator. Kersten Hamilton. Illustrated by Valeria Petrone. 2022. 28 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It's cleanup day in Tumberton. There's lots of hard work to be done. "Call in Orange Excavator!" Boom swings, bucket bites, gobbling all the trash in sight.

Premise/plot: Spend the day with Orange Excavator (and his human operator) doing multiple tasks in the city. 

My thoughts: I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. Orange Excavator has a face--clearly--and a human operator. The book's narrator solely addresses Orange Excavator--as a person--and not the human operator. That was a little odd, for me. Do I think little ones--toddlers, the target audience--will be equally bothered by that??? Probably not. (Some may. But probably not).

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

79. Ten Little Excavators

10 Little Excavators. Annie Bailey. Illustrated by Jeff Harter. 2022. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ten little excavators wake up with the sun. Can't wait to work--Vrooom! Now it's time for fun. Ten little excavators digging up a line. One breaks a pipe--Sploosh! Now there are....nine. Nine little excavators--work is going great! One throws a track--Smack! Now there are....eight. 

Premise/plot: Want to count backwards with excavators? This is the board book for you. The story is kept to a minimum. There isn't much plot--just plain and simple subtraction.

My thoughts: Construction vehicles--in particular excavators--can be super popular with little ones. This is a concept book with construction vehicles. What you see is what you get.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

78. The Umbrella

The Umbrella. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. 2023. [March] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Dreary.
Weary.
Dim.
Grim.
Drip.
Drop.
Nonstop
Gotta go--rain or snow
Come on, pup.

Premise/plot: There have been plenty of books about rainy days--featuring umbrellas or other rain gear--published through the years. I've never seen a rain-themed book with this big a twist. So the premise, a girl and her dog live in a community where it is seemingly ALWAYS raining, ALWAYS gray. But maybe just maybe change is coming!

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I loved the text. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the rhythm and rhyme of it. I am very particular when it comes to rhyming books. I can be harsh if the rhythm is off or weird. The lyrical flow--the rhythm--of this one is perfectly perfect in every way. I love the language--the onomatopoeia. I love how relatable it is. Rainy days CAN feel endless and always gray. Literally and figuratively--I think this one works. I also love the repetition. Every time we came back to Come on, pup...I just smiled.

I love the illustrations. I absolutely love the use of limited colors. Thematically, this one just works really well. I love that the illustrations are capable of carrying the story on their own. So little ones who can't quite read yet, can "read" the pictures.

 Text and illustrations--both perfectly perfect. This is a picture book. But it needs to be a BOARD BOOK and a PICTURE BOOK. I want this book to say in print forever and ever.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers