144-145 Two Picture Books That Slightly Disappointed

144. The Little Chefs: Three Stories by Rosemary Wells. 2024. [October 22] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] 

First sentence: When Mama came home from a long day's work, Sylvie made her a cup of tea with honey.

Premise/plot: Three illustrated short stories starring animal families. Each story revolves around a failed cooking/baking attempt--usually by a child. The "little chefs" come to the rescue via a hidden telephone (landline, old school telephone]. Each story is introduced by historical facts about cooking. The stories are written in rhyme.

My thoughts: This is an odd book. I have so many great memories of Rosemary Wells' books. However, this one just didn't work for me. I'd rather have one great story than three smaller stories. I also didn't quite "get" the history lessons. Because the audience for the stories probably aren't the same audience as the history lessons. Also I can't imagine Rosemary Wells' typical preschool/toddler audience sitting still for three stories. And the stories are so similar in many ways. Yes, different families, different recipe disasters, but still.

145. Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine. Seth Fishman. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book]

 First sentence: The morning started like any other day except that....Brandon invented a time machine!!

Premise/plot: Brandon has invented a time machine. However Brandon struggles with time management and a time machine can't solve all his problems. Especially when self-sabotage is at play. Can Brandon learn to better manage time?

My thoughts: I was here for the silliness. I loved the premise of this one. I do wish, in part, it was less lesson-y. On the one hand, it was relatable! It was slightly funny to see Brandon so at odds with himself. On the other hand, it leaned more towards teaching a lesson than telling a story here and there. Now, it is more silly than serious. I did enjoy it some. I just didn't love, love, love, crazy love it. I think the potential to love was definitely there.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

142-143. Two Books About Books

142. My Book and Me. Linda Sue Park. Illustrated by Chris Raschka. 2024. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [picture book]

First sentence: This is my book. My favorite book. I carry it with me wherever I go. There's jam on the cover from yesterday's toast and crayon inside from when I was little. I read it alone. We read it together. Again and again, and, please, just once more?

Premise/plot: This book celebrates BOOKS and reading and family reading time. It is written in verse (though it doesn't rhyme) and stars several different children with their favorite books.

My thoughts: I liked it. I really liked it. I wanted to love, love, love it...because READING. However the thought of jam on a cover of a book was a little too much for me! (I jest???)

143.  The Book That Almost Rhymed. Omar Abed. Illustrated by Hatem Aly. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book] [5 stars]

First sentence: The other day, I wrote this book.
You won't believe how long it took.
It rhymed, and I was super proud.
It sounded great when read aloud.
But then my sister came along,
and now the story sounds all wro--

Premise/plot: A young boy has written the perfect rhyming book....until his sister comes along and changes everything. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It could definitely be read by TWO readers for some extra read aloud fun. It could also be dramatized perhaps. It celebrates creativity, imagination, adventure, and spontaneity. I'm not sure the brother would agree it celebrates family. But it is super silly to have squabbling siblings on an imaginative adventure. 

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

140-141. Two Sensory Board Books

140. Sensory Ocean. Rose Harkness. Carlo Beranek (illustrator). 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars] [Board book]

First sentence: Look! It's a Seahorse! Can you pet its scaly tummy? What does it look like? What does it feel like? Look! It's a seashell! Try rubbing it with your fingertips! What does it feel like? What does it sound like?

Premise/plot: On the surface, this appears to be a fairly straightforward interactive touch and feel book for young readers. And in some ways it does deliver that. The ocean setting may make it more unique than other touch and feel books, but, it also offers some limitations...for more literal thinkers.

My thoughts: I always want to love touch and feel books. They are my favorite types of board books to read and review. I love the tactile, textures. I love the interactive experience. I hope for the best each time.

Some readers may not care that there's not much authentic truth in this one. It seems silly to care that none of the "sensory" objects line up with reality in any way shape or form. But some of the interactive sensory elements just seem lazy in my personal opinion. The sea shell spread, for example, is particularly horrible. If you care about details. No sea shell *sounds* like that sound. And no sea shell looks like that either. A few spreads don't seem to even try. Asking readers to feel essentially smooth paper and pretend its a sensory experience. No "petting" an illustrated jellyfish isn't sensory anything. 

Little ones probably don't care. And some spreads do seem to be engaging in one way or another--visually, for example.

141. Sensory Pets. Rose Harkness. Carlo Beranek (illustrator) 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [Board book]

First sentence: Look! It's a puppy! Can you pet his soft, furry ear? what does it look like? what does it feel like? Look! it's a cat! Can you scratch her tall scratching post, too? What does it feel like? What does it sound like?

Premise/plot: What you see IS what you get. This is a pet-themed touch and feel book. It stars a dog, a cat, a fish, some rabbits, and a bird. Some of the interaction comes from the pets themselves--or sometimes the environment.

My thoughts: I read Sensory Pets first. For the most part--four out of five spreads--I greatly appreciated it and found it solidly pleasing. The last one is a little questionable. But for the most part a HUGE quality difference from the Sensory Ocean which I reviewed earlier today.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

139. Board book: ABC Touch and Trace Nursery Rhymes

ABC Learn with Me: Touch and Trace Nursery Rhymes. Editors of  Silver Dolphin Books. 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [board book]

First sentence: A is for Apple
B is for Bee
C is for Cow
D is for Dog
E is for Elephant

Premise/plot: What you see is exactly what you get. Mostly. I would say the emphasis is definitely more on the alphabet and tracing the alphabet than on the nursery rhymes. There is at least one line from a nursery rhyme per spread, but, you have to know to look for it, perhaps. That being said if you were looking for a book of nursery rhymes, this wouldn't be the one you'd reach for anyway. 

My thoughts: The tracing element is especially well done for capital letters. There's a groove of sorts for little fingers to follow. I appreciated the tactile experience. It is not a touch and feel book by any stretch, still, there's something to engage the senses a little bit. The book is basic, but really there's nothing wrong with basics when it comes to concept books.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

138. Detective Beans: The Case of the Missing Hat

Detective Bean and the Case of the Missing Hat. Li Chen. 2024. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [graphic novel; j mystery; j fiction; j friendship]

First sentence:  It's Over! I know it was you! 

Premise/plot: Beans is a detective-loving kitten with detective dreams of his own. His first "big" case involves his own missing hat! He left it on the bedside table--next to the open window--and in the morning it is GONE. Can he follow ALL the clues--no matter how many twists and turns--to find the whereabouts of his hat??? 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved BEANS. The world of this one is peopled by CATS, and I'm here for it. I love and adore the illustrations AND the story. I love Beans, his mother, and his best friend, Biscuit. I love the main mystery and the back-burner mystery as well. This is a great graphic novel for young readers...and older readers who love all things CAT.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

137. Are You Small?

Are You Small? Mo Willems. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book]

First sentence: Are YOU small?
This book is small.
(But it has big ideas in it.)
A hamster is small.
(But it can be a big friend.)
A baby tooth is small.
(But it's a big deal when it comes out.)

Premise/plot: Are you big??? or are you small???? Mo Willems explores size and scale in this one. 

My thoughts: It was a solidly good read. My expectations for Mo Willems books are always so high. If you go into this one with reasonable expectations, I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are expecting the most super-amazing-wonderful-brilliant book of all time, then you might be a little disappointed.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

136. Anne Dreams

Anne Dreams. (Anne Chapter Book #6) Kallie George. 2024. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [early chapter book, adapted book]

First sentence: It was spring in Avonlea.

Premise/plot: Kallie George has adapted L.M. Montgomery's classic orphan novel, Anne of Green Gables, into six early chapter books. These chapter books condense the story and illustrate it. In this sixth and final book, Anne dyes her hair green, enters Miss Stacy's special program, is accepted into Queen's College, and smiles at Gilbert. George has NOT adapted the whole novel. She ends it on a happy, happy note.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed all the previous books in this series. (Anne Arrives; Anne's Kindred Spirits; Anne's School Days; Anne's Tragical Tea Party; Anne Dares) I love, love, love the original novel. These adaptations have been lovely. Not a replacement for the original, but, a nice introduction perhaps. 

I can't help but think that the covers look like old school paper doll books. I would LOVE it if they did use these illustrations to make Anne of Green Gable paper dolls. That would have been a dream come true as a kid.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

135. Good Rosie!

Good Rosie. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 2018. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars] [graphic novel, early reader]

First sentence: Rosie lives with George. Rosie is a good dog.

Premise/plot: Rosie is a good dog. Not all the dogs readers meet in Good Rosie are good, mind you. The plot of this one is that Rosie--for better or worse--is being taken to the dog park to make friends. Rosie has no interest in this, especially at first. Rosie may just change her mind, though perhaps it isn't the best decision?

My thoughts: Appearances can be deceiving. Truly. What starts off as a happy-go-lucky story of a dog and her owner turns dark and then in the blink of an eye, readers are supposed to believe that all is well again. The subject matter (or is it theme?????) is HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS (if you're a dog). Maurice is LOUD and BIG and let's just say he makes some truly despicable, potentially life-ending decisions, however, because the tone of the book is supposed to be happy, merry, lovely, Rosie must make friends with Maurice. Poor Fifi! Granted, I don't *love* tiny yippy dogs either, but, Fifi and Rosie should have stuck together. Why did their trauma bond have to expand to include Maurice?????? 

Definitely my least favorite Kate DiCamillo.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

134. La La La

La La La: A Story of Hope. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Jaime Kim. 2017. Candlewick. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book, wordless picture book]

First sentence: La  

ETA: I never meant to reread this one. In all truth I had forgotten about it. Hence why I accidentally reread it. This one is newly available in digital format. It was listed as a "new" book at my library. I don't dislike this one. I just don't grasp this one. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL. The story, well, some might "get it" and really connect with it.

Premise/plot: La La La: A Story of Hope is a nearly wordless picture book by Kate DiCamillo. Readers meet a young girl who appears to be lonely AND imaginative. She speaks to the world in la la la's. This one is subtitled "a story of hope." Will the girl's voice finally be heard? Will she find someone to sing back a response?

My thoughts: Without the notes from Kate DiCamillo and Jaime Kim would I have understood the message of La La La? I'd like to say yes--that the illustrations and the simple refrain powerfully, unmistakably told an incredibly beautiful and haunting story that most everyone can relate to easily. But. Just as the girl struggled with loneliness, I struggled to fully get the story. (Emphasis on fully).

It appears that the girl was at her loneliness when the pages were blank--devoid of color. But sometimes her singing led her out into the world--into nature--and the colorful scenes of this one were majestic. There would be pages of the little girl--though still alone--being happy, almost joyful. But this never seemed to last. She'd return to the blankness of her life.

The main plot point--the highlight--seems to be when she sees the moon and wants to reach out to it. Like the moon represents everything missing in her life. But it's too far away--too out of reach. She tries...and fails. But the story doesn't end there. The story ends with the moon coming down to her--echoing back her song.

What does it all mean? Is there one big, obvious meaning? Who--or what--is the moon? What does it symbolize? And how does the symbolism relate back to the real world? How can this story about a girl and the moon singing beautiful harmony together help an actual little girl with her loneliness? Is it about being at one-ness with the universe? Is it about the splendor of nature--the healing effects of nature? Could it be a spiritual thing--a symbol of God being there, being enough? If I struggle as an adult with what the story is about, would a child struggle more or less with interpreting the story?

Text: 2.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4.5 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10 

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

133. Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories

133. Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories (Bear and Bird #3) Jarvis. 2024. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [early chapter book; animal fantasy; friendship]

First sentence: It was Tuesday. And every Tuesday, Bear and Bird would spend the morning cloud-watching. But not this Tuesday. Because Bird wasn't feeling very well.

My thoughts preview: Bear and Bird have to be my DELIGHTFUL find of the year. This duo has won me over and I can't stop gushing about how much I love and adore these two.

Premise/plot: Bear and Bird are back for their THIRD adventure. This is an early chapter illustrated story book for young readers. It has four inter-connected stories. This one has "The Nothing," "The Hole," "The Mole," and "The Adventure." 

My thoughts: I LOVED this one so much. I don't love it more, mind you, than the first two. But I love it just as much or as equally. My favorite story of this one is "The Nothing." Bear has gone to Bird's house to be supportive of his best, best friend. Bear tries and tries and tries and tries....to no avail. ALL of the things Bear tries...fall flat and go unappreciated. What does Bird want from Bear?????? A companionable nothing. 

I would definitely recommend all three chapter books.  

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

132. We Are Up A Tree

132. We Are Up A Tree (The Dog and Pony Show #2) Jeff Mack. 2024. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [early reader, graphic novel]

First sentence: Look, Pony, a tree!
Yes, I see that.
Can I climb it?
You can try.

Premise/plot: Dog has his heart set on climbing a tree. Will it go well? Maybe. Maybe not. Pony is a super supportive friend....for better or worse. But these two undoubtedly have a LOT of fun in this adventure.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, love, love the first book in this series. These two characters won my heart in that book. I was so pleased to read this second book in the series. For me it isn't quite as magical as the first book. But it was still SO much fun. I love the expressiveness of the illustrations. I love the characters. I enjoyed the story. It still packed in plenty of silliness.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8). Stephen Shaskan. 2024. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [graphic novel, early reader, series book]

First sentence: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Premise/plot: It may just be September, but Pizza and Taco are ready for Christmas. They must prepare their letters to Santa Slaw early so they both have time to get on his nice list. The two friends write letters listing everything--and I do mean everything--they want for Christmas. But writing it on a list is no guarantee that you'll get it! (As these two ultimately learn). 

My thoughts: Their eagerness for Christmas is certainly relatable. This one is a fun enough read for young readers who enjoy this graphic novel series for early readers. This is the eighth book. Some have been great. Some have been good. Some have been meh. However, I always enjoy spending time with these two even if the plots here and there get weak in places.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers