98. Roger Takes a Chance. (Book Buddies #4) Cynthia Lord. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Roger was a toy chick that lived with his mother, Olive, on a shelf in Farmer Bickford's barn. Olive the hen liked the quiet of the barn. She was happy on the shelf watching the real pigs, chickens, and cows. "Just cozy up to me, my little chick," Olive would say to Roger. "The shelf is a safe home. And safe is best." Roger thought safe was boring. He wanted to do fun things. He wanted to go to new places.
Premise/plot: Olive and Roger become the newest pair of book buddies at the local library. Children can check out "book buddies" (Olive and Roger come as a pair--a velcroed pair) along with their books. Olive and Roger are checked out by kids whose family is going to the airport to pick up the grandpa. Roger is EXCITED. Airports could be VERY exciting indeed. Especially if he can get the velcro loose enough to escape from under the wing of Olive. But does he take his independence a little too far?
My thoughts: I really LOVE the Book Buddies series by Cynthia Lord. I could not relate as much to Roger, however, I do with Olive! The book has a LOT of adventure. Seeing Roger on his own at the airport was very entertaining. I do like all the twists and turns this one takes. Highly recommend this series.
99. Monti and Leo: A Newcome in Pocketville. Sylvie Kantorovitz. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: There were four things Monti Mole loved to do in the morning. One, he welcomed the day. Two, he stopped by the Pocketville Bakery. Three, he visited the Pocketville Library. And four, before heading home for lunch, Monti settled on his favorite rock by the river and gazed peacefully at the water. It was a perfect routine! Until one day...
Premise/plot: Monti Mole's perfect life--perfect routine--is disrupted when Leo Lizard moves to town. But can change actually be a great thing? Is his life actually improved by Leo's arrival? Could Leo be the BEST BEST BEST friend Monti never knew he needed? Not everyone in town is thrilled with the newcomer. Some people are giving him the cold shoulder (if you will), can Monti help the others in town welcome Leo?
This is an early chapter book, the first in a new series. It is told partly in graphic novel form. In other words, highly illustrated chapter book where the narrative is mostly (though not exclusively) told in dialogue--speech bubbles. The panels are well spaced and not confusing. I enjoyed this one very much. I would definitely be interested in reading more in the series. The book celebrates friendship--going above and beyond for a friend.
100. Dog Gets a Pet (Dog and Pony Show #1). Jeff Mack (Ready to Read Graphics Level 1). 2024. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Look, Dog. I got you a pet. What is it Pony?
Premise/pot: Dog and Pony are friends. Pony surprises Dog with a pet. What kind of pet? The one Dog has always wanted? No. Not exactly. It is a rock. A pet rock. Will Dog be grateful? Maybe. Maybe not. Can he make the most of the situation? Perhaps with a little imagination.
My thoughts: I loved this one so much because there is a certain exuberance to it. These characters leap off the pages. There is humor and liveliness. It is an early graphic novel. All of Pony's speech bubbles have an orange background. All of Dog's speech bubbles have a yellow background. It is a full story. I think it would be easy to identify the problem (and solution) and also identify character traits and track character growth. Plenty of places to stop and pause and ask what do you think will happen next.
101. Cornbread and Poppy for the Win (Cornbread and Poppy #4). Matthew Cordell. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: It was almost time! The annual Small Rodents Competitive Cycling Championship Classic--the SRCCCC--was tomorrow. Cornbread and Poppy had been training for months. Cornbread arrived at Poppy's house. He checked his watch.
Premise/plot: Poppy and Cornbread and excited about the upcoming bike race. Poppy is a LOT more excited than Cornbread. Perhaps competitive is the better description. But both are ready to participate and have been diligent in training. What will happen on race day? Can their friendship survive? Perhaps even thrive?
My thoughts: This one was SO funny. I have always enjoyed Poppy and Cornbread as characters. Most of the books at least. The one about the museum was a little dull. But this one had me laughing. It also has its sweeter moments between the two. There is a CARS moment, if you will.
102. Slice of Mallow (Slice of Mallow #1) Adam Foreman. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Hi, I'm Mallow the Marshmallow. I can stretch! I can squish! I'm loveable! I'm excitable! Who are you talking to Mallow? The reader. The reader? Where? There!
Premise/plot: Slice of Mallow is a graphic novel early chapter book. It stars Mallow and friends--all foods, mostly except for the ghost). Is there a plot? Is having no plot a plot?
My thoughts: I am NOT the target audience for this one. Notice how I didn't *have* to say that about the other early chapter books I reviewed today. Because though I am not the target age of the target audience, I thoroughly ENJOYED the books. This one offers little plot, little characterization, and overloads on the ridiculous silliness. Which may prove appealing to some readers--young readers. I just wanted my time back. And that is rare for me to say that about a book with so few pages.
© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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