11. I Am Stuck

I Am Stuck. Julia Mills. 2023. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: I am stuck. I can't seem to get unstuck. Stuck? Try wiggling your feet.

Premise/plot: Turtle, our protagonist, is stuck. In this picture book, many, many animals come by and see Turtle in his stuck-ness. Each offers advice on how to get unstuck. Advice that tends to be specific to their species, and not particularly generally useful advice to help him. But one animal is different. And that difference makes all the difference in the world...

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I love Turtle and Possum. I really love the direction this one took. The illustrations were SO cute and adorable. The story isn't necessarily cute and adorable. Though it could be seen that way, I suppose. I think this one could "hit" readers differently.  For some it might be cute. For others it might be funny. For others it may be all too relatable.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

10. Mine!

Mine! A Story of Not Sharing. Klara Persson. Translated by Nichola Smalley. Illustrated by Charlotte Ramel. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: "Nico's coming to play today," says Mom. "He can't play with the squirrel," Sally says. "It's mine." "Let's put the squirrel in the wardrobe," says Mom. "You can play with it later, when Nico's gone home." 

Premise/plot: And so it begins....Sally begins tossing anything and everything into the wardrobe so that her play date, Nico, cannot play with it. The situation really gets out of hand...she even puts in HER toilet. Will Sally ever learn to share?

My thoughts: This picture book was originally published in Sweden. I want to say two things. First, I enjoy the humorous story line. I do. I think it's silly and over-the-top. I think it's relatable, to a certain degree. I think there's lessons to be learned, if you so desire. Second, I really do not like at all in any way the illustrations. They are just not for me. So I am conflicted on if I like this one...or not. I know I don't love it. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

9. Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmellow Monkey

Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey. Eddie Muller and Jessica Schmidt. Illustrated by Forrest Burdett. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It's not easy being the only cat detective in this town. Ever since I bungled my biggest case, trouble hounds me. 

Premise/plot: Kitty Feral is missing--literally and figuratively--her friend and companion Mitch the Mutt with whom she solves cases. But she's solo on this one. She will be trying to track down what happened to Cora's marshmallow monkey. Can she follow the clues and solve the case? 

My thoughts: I LOVED the atmosphere of this one. The narrative is fun, fun, super-fun. The illustrations are AWESOME. I think adults will probably pick up on things young readers don't. But that isn't all bad, in my opinion. It just means the narrative is layered. I do think it holds up to multiple readings. I caught things the second time around that I didn't the first time. It is very noir. Chances are most young readers will have little to no familiarity with this genre. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

8. Hornbeam All In

Hornbeam All In. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2023. [December] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [early chapter books; animal fantasy]

First sentence: One morning Hornbeam was working on a moose puzzle when his neighbor Eureka called.

Premise/plot: Cynthia Rylant's newest early reader stars a moose--Hornbeam--and his friends. It has three stories: "Eureka and the Picnic," "Sleeping at Cuddy's House," "At the Pool with Adorabelle." 

In "Eureka and the Picnic," Hornbeam says yes to an invitation from his goose friend, Eureka. Does he say yes for all the right reasons? Maybe. Maybe not. He asks WILL THERE BE POTATO SALAD. What he doesn't know--Eureka isn't exactly forthcoming--is that it is a family reunion picnic. There are hundreds of geese for Hornbeam to meet. All seen as "competition" for that potato salad. Will Hornbeam ever get a taste of it?

In "Sleeping at Cuddy's House," Hornbeam takes refuge at his friend Cuddy's house when his furnace goes out. The conflict? Hornbeam SNORES dreadfully. Will Cuddy ever get to sleep?

In "At the Pool with Adorabelle," Hornbeam is persuaded--albeit reluctantly--to take swimming lessons from his friend. Will this moose learn to swim?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. It is true that I tend to absolutely love Cynthia Rylant. She is a favorite of mine. I adore her books--for the most part. Am I attached to Hornbeam and company as much as I am her older books? Not yet. But there is potential. I hope that there are several books published in this series so that readers of all ages get a chance to get attached. When publishers only give us two books--or three books in a series, it's hard for it to build into a great series with beloved characters.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

7. Flat Cat

Flat Cat. Tara Lazar. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed by an out-of-control ice cream truck. He wasn't smushed in a waffle iron by a sleepy short-order cook. He was just flat. Flat as a welcome mat, flat as splashed splat. And wouldn't you know it, Flat Cat liked it just like that.

Premise/plot: Flat Cat loves being flat. This is the story of how Flat Cat became un-flat and rather FAT. Can Flat Cat learn to see some positives at least from being fat and fluffy? Or is the Flat Cat lifestyle the best way to do life?

My thoughts: This was an odd book. Obviously. That almost goes without saying. Cats aren't really all that flat--naturally. The book is silly enough and it could prove appealing. It wasn't quite my cup of tea. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

6. The Knight Snacker

The Knight Snacker. Valeria Wicker. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a dark and stormy, tummy-rumbling night. Sir Julian was eager for dinner. He spotted Mom's new recipe: Fusion Fondue. "Eat! It's healthy!" Mom said. But it looked and smelled deadly, like dragon's ooze.

Premise/plot: "Sir" Julian refuses to eat supper (though he pretends) and so later that night he's hungry enough to go on the prowl. This "brave knight" will face his fears as he seeks out a night-time snack. What will he find in the refrigerator to snack on?

My thoughts: I wanted to like this one. But to be perfectly honest I found it meh. I'm torn between two stars and three stars. This one had potential, in my opinion, it just personally disappointed. I am not at all saying that it will disappoint other readers. This is in some ways your typical picky eater picture book with the addition of the protagonist having a knight-obsession. It is imaginative enough in some ways. Just wasn't quite for me. I think one thing in its favor--and I do try to find positives in what I read--is that it has LOTS of descriptions/descriptive words. For example, "His nose twitched. His mouth gagged. But hunger was like a ferocious, five-horned, fire-breathing dragon." 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

5. 100 Chapatis

100 Chapatis. Derek Mascarenhas. Illustrated by Shantala Robinson. 2023. [October 17] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "When will the baby come?" Simon asked his pappa. "Your dad will call from the hospital as soon as your mom has the baby," said Pappa. 

Premise/plot: A grandfather and grandson make one hundred chapatis [Indian flat bread] as they await news of the birth of the baby. It is a great way to pass time and super practical since it will be nice to have food on hand after the baby is born. 

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is always nice when picture books celebrate family AND cooking AND culture. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Ploof

Ploof. Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser. 2023. [September] 51 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, not quite board book]

First sentence: This is Ploof. Ploof is feeling lonely. Can you say hello? 

Premise/plot: Ploof is a cloud that your little one can "interact" with as you read the book aloud. How is it interactive? Think Little Einsteins, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Blue's Clues, Team Umizoomi, etc. For example, "What's Ploof pretending to be now? Ah, I see! Good one! Wow! So many shapes! Can you guess them all? Hmmm... Ploof is running out of steam. Let's help puff Ploof back up. Can you blow softly on Ploof?"

My thoughts: I like this gentle read. I love the pastel colors. I like the friendly narrative. Ploof is adorably drawn. Will this one prove an engaging again-again read? I think it has potential for some little ones at least.

I do think this one is for preschoolers (or even younger). I greatly enjoyed it. I'm torn between four stars and five stars. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Homegrown

Homegrown. Deann Wiley. 2024. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Mama says I'm homegrown.

Premise/plot: This picture book explores the many layered meanings of the concept--the word--home. The book celebrates family life, family, love, life, kindness, etc. 

My thoughts: This book closely examines family life, home life, and gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into all things family, all things tradition; it is a celebration of community and culture. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania

Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania (Pizza and Taco #7) Stephen Shaskan. 2024. [January] 72 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel; early reader/chapter book]

First sentence: What's up? Nothing. 

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco have a dilemma of sorts. Their moms (Pizza's mom and Taco's mom) want the two to join after school sports' clubs. The problem? Well, neither Pizza nor Taco like sports or want to play sports. The two do try out for wrestling, and, to be fair they do TRY their best to get into it. Will these two find the perfect after school activity?

My thoughts: This one is not my favorite or best in the series. (This is the seventh title in the series). Several chapters of this graphic novel focus on sports and wrestling. These may appeal to some readers. I liked the solution however. 

I think my favorite part of this one was learning that a Christmas book is coming at the end of 2024. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Happy Cats

Happy Cats. Catherine Amari and Anouk Han. Illustrated by Emi Lenox. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: white cat
black cat
blue cat
brown cat
high cat
low cat
always upside down cat
fluffed cat
bare cat
round cat
square cat
long cat
short cat
rarely-ever-there cat

Premise/plot: Plenty of cats can be found in Catherine Amri and Anouk Han's Happy Cats. This one is essentially an illustrated poem. The stars of the show are the cats themselves, perhaps. 

My thoughts: I love cats. I do. I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cats. Crazy about cat books as well. Most of the time. This one was so delightful. Not just because it stars cats. Not just because the illustrations are satisfying--they are though. No, I love this one so much because the rhythm and rhyme delight. Rhyme can prove challenging, but, it is so much easier to "get right" than rhythm. Rhyming can be accomplished with practice and effort. Rhythm, however, I think is more of a gift. Some rhyming books just lack all sense of rhythm. Other books just make it look absolutely effortless. Rhythm looks so effortless in this one. It is FUN. The rhythm of the text makes you WANT to read it aloud (even if you're alone). I also think the rhythm will help make this one appeal as an again-again.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers