47. Cookie Queen

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Bake Shop. Kathleen King (Founder of Tate's Bake Shop) and Lowey Bundy Sichol. Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  It was very early in the morning when Kathleen stepped into the kitchen. Kathleen was only eleven, but each morning she made her own breakfast and packed her own lunch for school--and when her parents worked late--she whipped up dinner for her brothers and sister. Kathleen enjoyed cooking, but more than anything, she loved to bake. 

Premise/plot: This is a picture book biography of Kathleen King the founder of Tate's Bake Shop. This picture book celebrates baking--specifically chocolate chip cookies--hard work and entrepreneurship. It is the story of how she kept working and working and working to improve her recipe until it was perfectly perfect and that consistently. She sold many, many, many cookies along the way. 

My thoughts: Who doesn't enjoy reading about cookies? This one could pair with many other books about cookies. I do see this one as being for younger elementary grades. It would be so tempting to pair this one with a snack.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46. Bears are Best

Bears are Best: The Scoop About How We Sniff, Sneak, Snack, and Snooze. Joan Holub. Illustrated by Laurie Keller. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Grrrreetings! My name is Brown Bear. I am the only bear in this book. [You are not]. 

This is a nonfiction picture book about BEARS (plural). It isn't your typical nonfiction picture book, however. It is written in a conversational--playful--narrative. The [many] bears of the book are having quite the dialogue--all in speech bubbles. All the information about each bear--what makes them similar or dissimilar to the others--is revealed through conversation. The conversation isn't dry and info-dumpy. Not really. There's plenty to keep it light and flowing--a bit silly.

I liked this one. It does have more text than you might expect based on the cover. I do think this one could easily be mistaken for just another picture book starring bears. It doesn't scream out "I'm nonfiction!" Because it is so text-heavy, I do think it would be a good fit for most elementary grades--especially second and third grade.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

45. The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop (Board book) Eric Carle (World of Eric Carle). 2023. [November] 14 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The Very Hungry Caterpillar is visiting the bakeshop. He spots a perfectly frosted cupcake! Yum! But there are more treats to sample...

This board book is set in the World of Eric Carle. It stars one of his most famous characters, the Very Hungry Caterpillar. He has starred in many other books in recent years. Almost to the point of becoming over-commercialized and gimmicky. This one, however, is a bit better than some of the others. It features the Very Hungry Caterpillar doing what he does best--eating through yummy food. He isn't introducing us to colors, shapes, numbers, or holidays. He's just being hungry at a bakeshop. Is it as good as the original? No. He doesn't eat through leaving caterpillar shaped holes, but the book does feature shape cut-outs on each spread in the shape of the baked goods. I did like the "raised pieces." 

I liked this one more than I thought I would.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44. Henry and the Something New

Henry and the Something New. Jenn Bailey. Illustrated by Mika Song. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [early chapter book; series book]

First sentence: Today was Field Trip Day. Henry was excited. Everyone in Classroom Ten would ride the bus to the museum. Henry was also worried. Everyone in Class Ten would ride the bus to the museum.

Premise/plot: Do you know Henry? Henry has starred in a picture book and another early chapter book. You can read about Henry in A Friend for Henry and Henry, Like Always. Henry, who is on the autism spectrum, is excited-scared about the class field trip. Should he go? Should he stay? It might be awesome. It might be too overwhelming. Henry does decide to go...but will his non-regular day turn out to be amazing?

My thoughts: I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Henry. I love the writing and characterization. So few words yet so relatable. I definitely recommend all the books. I hope there are many, many more in the future. The world needs more Henry. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

43. The Great Puptective

The Great Puptective. Alina Tysoe. 2024. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One day, Sasha the human came home with a strange box. I think it's about time that Truffles got a friend.

Premise/plot: Early chapter book in "graphic novel" format. (In other words, an illustrated chapter book with plenty of speech bubbles showing the dialogue). Truffles is not thrilled that his new "friend" is an enthusiastic puppy named Poppy. Poppy considers herself an amateur detective always on the case. Cases seem to find her most of the time, even if they aren't really proper cases. Truffles may just have enough of Poppy one of these days....

My thoughts: I really LOVED the characters Poppy and Truffles. The book is silly, cute, fun. I loved how the story unfolded throughout the book. Definitely reminded me of old school Garfield and Friends episodes in the best way possible. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40-42. Board Book Parade (Farm Edition)

40. Board book: Country Baby. Laurie Elmquist. Illustrated by Ellen Rooney. 2024. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We pull on rubber boots
Splash into puddles with both feet
Look for speckled eggs
The sheep's wool is cozy-cozy

My thoughts (preview): I find it incredibly sad that my first and foremost response is to notice all the lack of periods in the text. One period for the whole book. 

Premise/plot: Little ones follow the adventures of a country baby (and country mom) in this board book. The text is descriptive yet still simple. 

My thoughts: I like this one. It is a farm book that does feature a story. It goes beyond animal identification and/or animal sounds. It is set on a farm, but I think it focuses more on the parent-child relationship. I do think the book celebrates nature and 'country life.'

41. Slide and See First Words: Farm (Board book) Helen Hughes. Illustrated by Samantha Meredith. 2024. 12 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Farm buildings
farmhouse
barn
henhouse
There is one house for the famer and houses for the animals, too.

Premise/plot: This is an 'interactive' board book for parents to share with little ones. Each page/spread (including the cover) features a sliding element that reveals words. (Hence: slide and see). There are other peek-a-boo surprises besides words alone. 

Many pages feature questions and answers. Questions like "What color is the barn? Who lives inside the barn? What are they eating?" On the next page--the page with the sliding elements--we've got sentences waiting for the answers to slide in. The barn is red. Inside the barn are the animals. They are eating hay.

Each spread is farm-themed, but there is no continuous story. 

My thoughts: How could I read this one without flashing back to Baby Einstein's Baby MacDonald. I can hear the music even. I do like the sliding elements. I think they are fun. Obviously, I have not tested their durability. I haven't slid them back and forth hundreds of times. I haven't played with the book roughly. I have not tasted it. But I do like it and would easily recommend it. 

Farm books are not "new" or unique. There will always be plenty of new farm books published each year, every year. Probably not all staying in print.

42.  Board book: Don't Push the Button! On the Farm. Bill Cotter. 2024. 24 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Hey there! Great to see you again! I'm so excited to be visiting the farm with you. Let's go! Don't open the gate that means you!!! Oh, don't worry about that sign. It's probably nothing. Could you flip open the latch? I can't reach it.

Premise/plot: This is an interactive board book in the sense that it is asking readers to participate using their imagination. (Think Blue's Clues or Dora the Explorer or the like). It is written using the second person--you. The book is pure silliness from cover to cover.

My thoughts: These books fall flat unless you're really to engage fully. I do think the book can be appealing because it is enthusiastically over-the-top silly. I think the person reading aloud can help this be an engaging read as well. (Sometimes how you read a book aloud is so important.) 

I like this one, but didn't personally love it.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

39. The Paper Doll Wedding

The Paper Doll Wedding. Hilda Miloche and Wilma Kane. 1954. 20 pages. [Source: Bought] [Vintage Golden Book, Little Golden Activity Book] 

First sentence: Are you coming to the wedding to see the bride and groom? Then hurry, do please hurry. It will be this afternoon.

Premise/plot: This INTERACTIVE Little Golden Book was published in 1954. At the front of the book, there's a page of paper dolls: the bride, the groom, the bridesmaid, the flower girl, and a cake topper. At the back of the book, there are clothes for the paper doll to wear--if you cut them out. There is also a paper trunk to construct to store the clothes. In the middle of this one is the story of the wedding. There are slots (if you choose to cut them) to slide your doll into the story. It essentially is a 'let's pretend' wedding scenario. 

My thoughts: I bought this one for $1. It was missing the flower girl, but all the other dolls were there. The clothes had not been cut out. I enjoy this one mainly for the vintage illustrations AND the premise. This is exactly the kind of book that I would have enjoyed as a kid. It's the kind of book that I can easily imagine my grandma buying for me. It would almost make sense--in a way--to want to buy two. One to play with and enjoy, and one to keep intact. The original cost was a quarter. I don't know how expensive (or inexpensive) a paper doll book would have been in the early to mid 1950s. The story was sweet and charming.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

38. Baby Bear's Busy Day

Baby Bear's Busy Day with Brown Bear and Friends. [Board book] "Eric Carle" Odd Dot. 2023. [September] 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hello, Baby bear! Open your eyes. The sun is rising in the sky! Baby Bear, now move your feet. Your tummy says it's time to eat!

Premise/plot: This is a board book in the "World of Eric Carle." It is an interactive book. There are activities for little hands on almost every spread--including the cover. (On the cover, you can turn the wheel to make it day or night.) The book's text is super simple. 

My thoughts: There are so many books in the "World of Eric Carle." Some seem more 'commercial' and 'gimmicky' than others. (As opposed to the actual-actual original stories by Eric Carle.) The art is definitely in the style of Eric Carle. The text is not amazingly wonderful, but it is more than serviceable. It isn't all that bad actually. The book takes you from morning to evening.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Good Night, Cuddle Tight

Board book: Good Night, Cuddle Tight. Kristi Valiant. 2023. [December] 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When daytime is over and moonlight shines bright, Dad hugs all his bunnies. 

Premise/plot: This board book stars a lovely bunny family. The premise is simple: it is BEDTIME but the little bunnies have extra special requests that are putting off said bedtime. It starts with one....but leads to ALL the bunnies wanting a special, unique, just for them kind of bedtime hug/cuddle. 

My thoughts: I thought this one was adorable. The illustrations are preciously adorable. Yet they are not so precious and cutesy that they miss out on humor or being relatable. One of my favorite scenes: "She grabs his ears and skips 'round to his back. 'Is this a good hug?' 'No, it's like an attack!'" The story is predictable enough, but this one has more story than you might suppose. In other words, it is not entirely dinky. There is an actual story that elevates it.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

36. Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears?

Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? Questions -- And Surprising Answers -- About Animals. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. 2023. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Why do camels have a hump? 

Premise/plot: This is a nonfiction picture book. The title may include the word 'elephant' but the book covers a wide assortment of animals. Some questions and answers are on a single page. Other questions and answers are a two-page spread. 

Questions include,
Why do spotted skunks do handstands?
Why do wombats have cube-shaped poop?
Why are naked mole rats naked?

There are SO MANY questions and answers. This one is full of I-didn't-know-that-facts.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I found some questions super-fascinating. I think this is the kind of book that might prove engaging and appealing to young readers. It is not a book that you have to read cover to cover. It can be a book that you flip through casually. The end material does include [even] more facts about the animals.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

35. Hot Cat, Cool Cat

Hot Cat, Cool Cat. Laura Manaresi. Illustrated by Roberta Angaramo. 2023. [November] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Kit and Kip are friends. But....Kip likes to run. Kit likes to sit. Kip likes cake. Kit likes fish. Kip likes to hug. Hugs scare Kit. Kip likes mice. Kit likes horses.

Premise/plot: Kit and Kip are friends with a lot of differences. This book celebrates their friendship. It is a LEVEL G reader. 

My thoughts: I definitely liked this one. Is it the absolutely most amazing picture book starring cats? Probably not. Is it quite good for a leveled [beginner/early] reader? Yes. It does have a plot. It doesn't jump into the plot, perhaps. But it does have quite an adventure...eventually. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

34. Buffalo Fluffalo

Buffalo Fluffalo. Bess Kalb. Illustrated by Erub Kraan. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There once was a Buffalo Fluffalo...a snuffalo, scruffalo, surly old buffalo, who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo. I'm the Buffalo Fluffalo--I heave and I huffalo. Leave me alone because I've had enuffalo!

Premise/plot: Is Buffalo Fluffalo as tough as he wants you to believe? Maybe. Maybe not. Probably not. Is he adorable? Always and forever.

My thoughts: This picture book is written in rhyme. It is absolutely adorable in the most precious of ways. It is probably more for younger readers than older ones. (It may be "too cute" for some.) I liked this one. I did. I didn't love the text in a love, love, love way. But I did think the illustrations were so incredibly adorable and cute and precious. So I definitely liked it and am happy to recommend it.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

31-33. Service Pups in Training, 3 Books

31. Tucker's Nose Knows: An Allergen Detection Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Diego Vaisberg. 2023. 29 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Tucker is a poodle training to become an allergen detection dog. Poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic. That means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, it is Tucker who is the star. Tucker is learning to isolate out specific scents and give alerts when the allergen is detected. Apparently, Tucker learns different scents on different days of his training. This specific day he is on the scent for gluten. The story is told in comic book form. There are speech bubbles for dialogue.

My thoughts: I hope training is taken more seriously in real life. Each book focuses on puppies in training--but they are all classmates and friends. The training aspects seem a little unrealistic, not that there aren't dogs trained for allergen detection, just the method and process seems a little sketchy. 

The book is a meh for me. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. The artwork wasn't super amazing quality. 

32. Daphne Shows Support: An Emotional Support Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Alan Brown. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Daphne is a shih tzu puppy. She may be small, but she has a huge heart! She wants to help everyone, and the best way to do that is as an emotional support dog.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, Daphne is the star. Daphne is learning to be an emotional support dog. 

My thoughts: Will readers learn about how emotional support dogs are really trained? I doubt it. I am so skeptical of the methods and processes being depicted. Again just personal opinion. The message of this one is that you have to take care of your own needs first. That is, the dog, Daphne, must take care of her own emotional needs first before she can be good at her own job in helping others. Most of the book just has ALL the puppies (each being trained in their own specialty apparently) doing an agility course and there is a "celebrity" dog. The plot of this one is just weird.

33. Rossi Guides the Way: A Guide Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Alan Brown. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Rossi is a yellow lab puppy. He's training to be a service dog like his great-grandma, Roselle. She's his hero.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, Rossi is learning to be a guide dog. Rossi doesn't have a great training day and gives up--or wants to give up. Will Rossi be encouraged by Daphne to keep trying?

My thoughts: Readers may be more familiar with the concept of guide dogs. This one does focus more on teaching lessons to humans on how to human than it does provide information on how dogs are trained to be service dogs. The series [all three books] seem to have this didactic nature to them. This one is about how everyone makes mistakes and that's okay.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

30. You Make Me Sneeze!

You Make Me Sneeze! Sharon G. Flake. Illustrated by Anna Raff. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

Normally I do like to include a first sentence, but sometimes Amazon samples are absolutely unhelpful. If you can't preview the first page of a picture book, then why bother.

Premise/plot:  Cat and Duck are back. These two "friends" are back for another adventure. Duck is convinced that he is allergic to Cat. But instead of creating distance and space between the two, Duck is more stuck on Cat than ever. Cat hopes, perhaps, that Duck will go away. Alas, Cat is not the source of Duck's sneezing.

My thoughts: These two are very silly. Are they as delightful as Elephant and Piggie? No. Not really. The book descriptions sure do like comparing these two to Elephant and Piggie. They do have some surface level similarities. Two friends banter back and forth in speech bubbles. 

I liked this one okay.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

29. You Are Not a Cat

You Are Not a Cat. Sharon G. Flake. 2016/2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am a cat. Meow. You are not a cat. You are a duck. Quack, quack.

Premise/plot: A cat and a duck quibble and fuss. Duck is definitely getting on Cat's last nerve. Duck insists that *today* he is a cat. Yesterday Duck was something else. Tomorrow Duck may be something else. But Duck is a cat...today...and insists on following Cat around.

My thoughts: Cat definitely had decided opinions on what is "regular." Cats meow. Ducks quack. End of story. Cats cannot be ducks. Ducks cannot be cats. And Cat doesn't have time for nonsense. Perhaps if Duck wasn't so insistent at being glued to his side. If Duck had gone away, far, far, away then would Cat have cared if this Duck wanted to meow? Maybe. Maybe not.

 I liked this one okay. It was silly. It had humor. It's an early reader with speech bubbles.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. Barnacle is Bored

Barnacle is Bored. Jonathan Fenske. 2016. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am bored. Bored. Bored. BORED. Every day is the same. The tide comes IN. I am wet and cold. The tide goes OUT. I am dry and hot. 

Premise/plot: Barnacle is BORED. Barnacle is full of complaints. Nothing suits. Until...Barnacle realizes something important about life...

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I may not have loved, loved, loved it. But I solidly liked it. It is an ocean-themed book about attitude and perspective, about gratitude. Barnacle is not grateful...at all. But by the end of the story, something has changed...for the better.

The first time I read this one, I wasn't overly impressed with the illustrations. They didn't do much for me. Dare I say they bored me?! But after the second or third time around I had come to appreciate them. I found the illustrations could be quite expressive. I love the grinning look of relief on Barnacle when he's NOT eaten.

I appreciate the fact that this is a book that allows for a lot of expression in the reading. I think it's a great choice to share with little ones. They may just ask for it again and again and again and again.

ETA: Barnacle is Bored is one of my FAVORITE books to read aloud. I think it allows for great expression. I adore this one. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

27. Today is For You!

Today is For You! Sally Lloyd-Jones. Illustrated by Kevin Waldron. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Shout out, Good Morning! Shout out, Hooray! Shout it together....Hooray for Today! Jump up and smile and take a bow. When is Today? Exactly now.

Premise/plot: Looking for a picture book with enthusiasm and gusto? This is an inspirational/motivational picture book for young readers. It isn't quite Oh the Places You'll Go, but it is certainly in that tradition. The book celebrates living life in every moment. It is written in rhyme and reads like a poem. The narrative voice, like I mentioned earlier, is VERY peppy and excitable. 

My thoughts: I like this colorful poem well enough. I do. I think it can be appreciated by a wide range of ages. Not everyone appreciates these kinds of books. And that's okay. Each "stanza" has a message. For example, "And be who you are. And be that the most." (To be fair, these are the last two lines of a longer stanza.) 

The art is intriguing. The text is integral in the book's design and layout. It wasn't always super easy to read the text. But that is probably a personal preference. (Purple text on purple background, for example). I definitely appreciated some spreads more than others. Some were absolutely BEAUTIFUL and so amazing. I loved the color palettes for some of these. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

26. My Thoughts Have Wings

My Thoughts Have Wings. Maggie Smith. Illustrated by Leanne Hatch. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: Sometimes when I go to bed, my body is calm and still, but my mind feels busy and loud! When my mom turns off the lights, my thoughts stay on...especially the not-so-good ones. Those thoughts flutter and flap in my head.

Premise/plot: The little girl in this picture book struggles with anxiety. Her mom teaches her how to allow happy thoughts to build a nest in her mind. 

My thoughts: This one deals specifically with anxiety when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep. The book shows her worrisome thoughts and her happy thoughts. The book is sweet and gentle. The imagery is lovely.

There's more than one way to approach this topic/theme. I do not expect secular picture books to approach it the same way a Christian book published by a Christian publisher would. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. Cranky

Cranky. Phuc Tran. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I'm cranky. And this morning I'm also feeling cranky because...well, I'd rather not tell you. It's personal.

Premise/plot: Cranky is cranky. Cranky stays cranky. Cranky does not want to talk about it. Not with his friends. Not with readers. Will Cranky be a little less cranky by the end of the day [aka end of the book]? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Sometimes crankiness lingers and you have to sleep it off.

My thoughts: Not sure exactly what the point of this one was other than to show a cranky construction vehicle going through his busy day all the while being cranky. For readers who think crankiness in others is amusing, then this one might appeal. Or for readers who enjoy construction vehicles. It definitely falls into the "emotions and feelings" category--books that are opportunities for learning about emotions, feelings, and how to cope with all the above. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers