296. Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum (Cornbread & Poppy #3) Matthew Cordell. 2023. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: One crisp, clear winter's day, an exciting letter arrived. It was a special invitation for Cornbread, plus one guest of his choosing.
Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy are friends. But are they more than friends? I am not suggesting that this book is not age inappropriate by any means. I just think that Cornbread likes likes Poppy. In this one, Cornbread wants to take Poppy to the museum. For him it is thrilling and wonderful. For her, well, it is less so. Not that she dislikes his company, mind you. But well, the museum isn't thrilling, fun, amazing, wonderful. She could think of a lot better ways to entertain herself. She wants Cornbread to go camping with her. (He doesn't want to go camping.)
My thoughts: The "plot" of this one is just as boring--in my opinion--as my summary suggests. Cornbread is distracted by all the "wonderful" "exciting" exhibits and Poppy is uninterested and just biding time. The day isn't uneventful, by any means, just a bit unevenly paced. It felt pretentious instead of quaint and charming. Still, these two mice are adorable.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two books. But I still like these characters.
297. Trim Sets Sail. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Some cats are happy curling up at home. Others look for adventure. This is the story of a kitten who was always ready to go.
Premise/plot: Historical animal fantasy in an early chapter book format. Loosely inspired by the real-llife "Trim" who lived in in the nineteenth century and sailed with explorer Matthew Flinders. In this one, the first in a series, Trim is learning about life on board ship and meeting all sorts.
My thoughts: I wanted to love this one because CATS. It wasn't quite entertaining enough for me personally but I still like the premise of imagining adventures about this explorer cat. Perhaps future books in the series will develop things more. This was very introduction-y and world-building.
298. Trim Helps Out. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. [October 24] 48 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Trim was a brand-new ship's cat. It was his first morning at sea. He wanted to do a good job. But trim wondered, How can I help?
Premise/plot: Trim wants to be the BEST ship's cat ever. But how can he make himself useful? What jobs can he do? What jobs CAN'T he do? Will he find his place?
My thoughts: This one is mostly Trim having mini-mis-adventures on board. He's making new friends and getting into a little bit of trouble here and there. For example, he's supposed to be watching out for rats, but he doesn't recognize what rats look like....so he befriends one. It is cute. It wasn't the most thrilling book ever, but I like the idea of historical early fiction starring cats.
© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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