37. Little Freddie Two Pants

37. Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, humor]

First sentence: Oh, Freddie! Why are you wearing two pants? Two pants is too many pants. Freddie! Where are you going? Come back here. Freddie! Now you're wearing THREE pants. Three pants is too many pants, too! You should not wear so many pants.

Premise/plot: Love humorous books starring dogs? Little Freddie Two Pants might be a great choice. Freddie, our extremely silly hero, is giving the narrator quite a time!

My thoughts: Little Freddie Two Pants will have definite appeal--to a certain crowd. It is over-the-top silly and features a dog wearing pants (and underwear). There's also a monkey sidekick. The running gag is wearing pants (and underwear) on one's head. Again, I think for the right crowd this one will allow for plenty of giggling. I enjoyed it because it is silly and doesn't take itself too seriously. That's not always the case with picture books. Sometimes it's good not to have a message pounded in your head.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

36. Board book: Richard Scarry's Bunnies

 

36. Board book: Richard Scarry's Bunnies. Richard Scarry. 1976/2025. 26 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, bunnies, board book]

First sentence: The cottontail rabbit has a little white tail. Bunnies love to eat the cabbage...in Farmer Brown's garden. Some rabbits have GIANT ears...and some have tiny ones. The snowshoe hare changes the color of his coat to white in the winter...and to brown in the summer.

Premise/plot: Richard Scarry's Bunnies is a classic Golden Book newly republished in board book format. Each two-page spread shares another detail about bunnies...or rabbits. There really is not a cohesive narrative. 

My thoughts: I love Richard Scarry. I do. I grew up with Richard Scarry books. For that reason I will always enjoy rereading these when they're republished. I LOVE all the bunny illustrations. I do. I think parents (guardians, loved ones, etc.) can read these books slowly and talk about the illustrations and the text.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

35. Board book: Touch and Feel Baby Animals

    

 

35. Touch and Feel: Baby Animals with tactiles for toddlers to explore. (Board book) DK. 2025. 12 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [interactive, touch and feel]

First sentence: Let's see what the baby animals are doing! The puppies chase balls, fetch sticks, and dig holes. What is your favorite game to play? Pet the puppy's velvety ears. 

Premise/plot: (Yet another) touch and feel book starring animals published by DK. The good news is that there will always, always, always be a market for a) touch and feel books b) animal books c) farm books. The text is simple. The textures mostly only one type of texture. 

My thoughts: I like interactive touch and feel books. Is this the absolute best one that has ever been published? No. Of course not. Is it perfectly fine and acceptable? Yes.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

34. This Dog. That Dog (Board book)

 

34. Board book: This Dog. That Dog. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [dogs, pets, board book, 5 stars]

First sentence: This dog has stripes. That dog has spots. This dog is good. That dog is not. This dog's speedy. That dog's slow. Here's a third pup. Go, go, go!!! This dog's brave. Woof! That dog's scared.

Premise/plot:  This board book stars DOGS, dogs, and more dogs. The story is told in rhyming text. The text often highlights basic concepts--like opposites. Not every two-page spread necessarily is tied to a specific concept. It is not so much concept-driven as silly doggy driven.

My thoughts: Love dogs? Love rhyming texts? This is a fun read aloud to share with the youngest of young readers. Definitely recommended.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

33. Runaway Blanket

   

33. Board book: Runaway Blanket. Nancy Deas. 2025. 22 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, bedtime book]

First sentence: Outside the moon is rising, and the world is growing still. Mama says, "It's time for bed." "I can't!" I say. "Too bad--my blanket ran away! I saw it scrambling down the stairs." Mama doesn't believe me. She just puts her hands on her hips.

Premise/plot: Is the young child in Runaway Blanket telling flim-flams?! Maybe. Maybe not. He finds excuses--all pointing towards his RUNAWAY BLANKET--for not going to bed just then. Will anyone in his family believe his tales? Will the reader?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. It's silly and quirky. The pictures definitely tell a different story than the text. Perhaps different is too strong a word. They add more to the narration...so it's important to "read" the pictures as well.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

32. Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville

 

32. Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville. Sylvie Kantorovitz. 2025. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, friendship, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Monti was looking forward to meeting his friend Leo at the library.

Premise/plot: Monti and Leo are great friends. Monti is accused of stealing a figurine from a library--the library was celebrating collections. Leo is not sure how best to handle the situation. Does he believe in Monti's innocence? Does he publicly stand by him and declare him to be falsely accused? Does he believe the circumstantial evidence? in the gossip? Perhaps it's best if he becomes DETECTIVE LEO.

My thoughts: I am conflicted. On the one hand, I'm not sure many early chapter mystery books are written any better. On the other hand, this one is just so....so....dull. Then again I am an adult. It is not about me being entertained. This one is the second in the series. Pocketville is not an idealistic place for sure. It is realistically flawed. The residents all have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

31. Wrong Time Rooster

 

31. Wrong Time Rooster. Michael Parkin. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 star, picture book, telling time, concept book, farms] 

First sentence: One morning, a very important delivery arrived at the farm. The animals all gathered together, wondering what could possibly be in the crate! 

Premise/plot: The farm has a new rooster. The problem? (As you should know by now, all books have a 'problem.') This rooster can't tell time....literally. This rooster has clocks--many of them. But he can't read time, or, tell time. Therefore, he crows at all the wrong times. 

My thoughts: I expected the book to be funnier. For better or worse, it turned into a concept book about telling time. I suppose that could be a great thing for some. Does it make for the most entertaining farm story? Probably not. Would it still be a natural choice for reading aloud? I think so.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate?

 

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]

First sentence: Will the pigeon graduate? I had better graduate! I did the work! I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps. Were there obstacles? Lots of them! 

Premise/plot: The very first Pigeon book, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, was published in 2003. It has been over twenty-years, closer to twenty-two years, since his first release. It is certainly possible that those graduating college in recent years--grew up hearing Mo Willems' Pigeon stories. So it is more than fitting that Pigeon stars in an incredibly relatable, inspirational story that would make a GREAT gift for graduates--high school or college.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I think it resonates for those who a) have follow Pigeon through his many, many, many adventures b) adults (of all ages) with life experience (whether you are looking back or looking forward). The ending was so BEAUTIFUL. The story itself was humorous YET relatable. Essentially it's a book about having to adult.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

29. Bouncing Bunnies!

 

29. Bouncing Bunnies! Fiz Osborne. Illustrated by Tim Budgen. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: In a little woodland glade filled
with flowers, birds, and trees,
near a brightly colored meadow
with some very busy bees,
is a tiny little burrow--
can you see it on the ground?
And in that burrow there are...
bouncing bunnies--
all around.

My thoughts (preview): WHEN WILL IT BE SPRING?

Premise/plot: Bunnies, bunnies everywhere. Not much of a plot except BUNNIES.

My thoughts: Was the author paid by the word count???? Maybe. Maybe not. This one was just MEH. It's not that it's offensively, obnoxiously bad. It's not. It's really not. It's absolutely not. The story is perfectly fine. And it has the potential to be someone's favorite book. I don't know who that someone is. But someone, somewhere. This book will be THE BOOK. Perhaps it will be their special book because it was read aloud by someone super special and caring. I do think picture books are super subjective. I thought it was a little too wordy for the story it tells. (Note: I wouldn't want to diagram these sentences!)

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

 

28. The Baby Who Stayed Away Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5 stars]

First sentence: In the light of the moon, a little baby lay fast asleep. HA! Yeah, right! Not this baby! Sleeping is for koalas and teenagers. This baby intended to stay awake forever. At 8 o'clock, Mama said, "Good night, sweetie." Papa said, "Sweet dreams, little one." Sister said, "See you in the morning." BAby said: GA! 

Premise/plot: A family struggles with a baby--though NOT a newborn or young infant--who refuses [strong headed, strong willed] to sleep through the night. Trying to get the baby asleep is a family affair--mother, father, sister. [The neighbor, well, can't escape the consequences of everyone's choices.] 

My thoughts: Who is this book for? I think it is 100% for parents and older siblings. I think it is a humorous, relatable story--if not slightly exaggerated to most people's reality. It is on the text-heavy side. But there are plenty of silly illustrations as well. (Such as when the baby decides to throw a DANCE PARTY). (Another favorite scene is when readers get a 'meanwhile' glimpse of the neighbor who just decided to get up in the middle of the night. He's eating a bowl of cereal and is resigned to his fate.) (Yet another favorite image is when Mama is trying to cuddle baby. If you know you know. Seriously though that could be for most of these illustrations.)

Is this book for babies and toddlers? Perhaps not as much as for those slightly older. I do think it would be a silly read aloud for the whole family. I think with a little practice, this one could be acted superbly.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

27. How To Make a Bedtime

  

27. How To Make a Bedtime. Meg McKinlay. Illustrated by Karen Blair. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, bedtime books]

First sentence: When the sun's light is fading
and night's on the rise,
it's time to start yawning
your sleepy goodbyes.
Time for snuggling and snoozing
and slumbering now.
Time for making your bedtime,
and I'll show you how.

Premise/plot: On the surface, this looks like your typical, super-cozy, predictable bedtime story book to share with the little ones in your life. On the surface. In many ways it is indeed just that. However, the 'parent' is a bear and the 'child' is, well, human. I would have personally preferred both to be bears OR both to be human. Perhaps it is a silly element that is supposed to be super delightful and charming? 

The parent and child go through a bedtime routine--that's it.

My thoughts: I mostly enjoyed the narrative. It has a certain delightful playfulness in terms of language. 'Rosily warm,' 'deliciously dry,' 'cloud-soft pajamas,' 'pillow-peeking,' 'purpling sighs,' etc. I think the narrative may prove lyrical and soothing--just the right sort of book to read aloud. (Only parents who have read this one aloud to their little ones could say definitely one way or another.)

What I personally did not quite like is the random BOLDING of certain words in the text. Like WHY. Seriously WHY. Are parents supposed to put emphasis on those words? Are they hints as to when to take a breath? When to pause? Do they serve any purpose whatsoever except to be NOT REGULAR.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

26. I Have Three Cats...

 

26. I Have Three Cats. Michelle Sumovich. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, cats, pets, 3 stars]

First sentence: I have three cats--
Big, Little, and
Middle--in charge
of my backyard.
But that surprise over there?
She's not mine.
Not at all.

Premise/plot: I Have Three Cats is a story of a girl slowly but surely accepting a fourth cat--a rescue cat--into her family. The 'strange' cat, the 'surprise' cat does not make the best first impression. In fact, the little girl seems angry and out of sorts.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. It wasn't my favorite or best even though it features FOUR cats. I didn't find it "a surprising, humorous" story. I found the girl a bit mean. IT is a thawing-of-the-heart story.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle

 

25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle. Sasha Mayer. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, cats, jealousy, toys, picture book]

First sentence: This is Squash. Squash is a sleeping in-the-sunshine, celebrating-from-the-sidelines, and then a nap-in-the-lap kind of cat. 

Premise/plot: Squash loves Maggie--his human. Maggie loves Squash too. They are the best, best, best of friends....until.....PIRATE LOU appears on the scene. This is a PIRATE stuffed animal. Now Squash is having HIS space invaded. Can Squash make peace with this new.....thing.....on Maggie's lap, Maggie's bed, etc.

My thoughts: If Squash wasn't so absolutely DELIGHTFULLY adorably illustrated would I rate this one so high?????? The world will never know because Squash IS so adorable and irresistible. The story is simple enough--jealousy. But it's also told in a fun and cute way.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat.

 

[Board Book] 24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [board books, cats]

First sentence: Hi, cat. Bye, cat. LOUD cat. Shy cat. One cat. Four cats. Even more cats!

Premise/plot: Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat is a BOARD book for cat-loving babies. Well, for the youngest of 'readers' whose caregivers love cats. It is written in rhyme. The illustrations are super-bold and colorful. There isn't much text per page--which makes it a great fit for the youngest readers. It's a silly book with plenty of illustrated cats. It also features opposites.

My thoughts: I love, love, love cats. I do. This one was fun and joyful. I enjoyed it.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

23. Bruce Saves the Planet

 

23. Bruce Saves the Planet. (Mother Bruce series). Ryan T. Higgins. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, series book, 3 stars]

First sentence: Bruce was a bear who liked to be by himself. Which wasn't easy as the mom of four geese and three mice. So every once in a while, Bruce would pack a lunch and ride out to find a stream to fish in. there he would spend a day filled with peace and quiet. But this was NOT going to be one of those days.

Premise/plot: Bruce is NOT out to to save the planet. The causes others infer he is supporting, well, he just does not care at all, not even a little bit. But that won't stop Bruce from "saving the planet" and pleasing the environmentalists and the like. Bruce may not want to get involved in political issues, but, he's dragged into politics kicking and screaming.

My thoughts: Not my favorite or best Bruce title. It was bordering on obnoxiously agenda-fied. Bruce's grumpy nature and his apathy towards all the messages saved it a bit. Again not my personal favorite or best, but it could have been a lot worse.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

22. Lone Wolf Gets a Pet

 

22. Lone Wolf Gets a Pet. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-fai Steele. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, humor, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Wolf lived by himself. His mornings were quiet. His evenings were still. He never had to tell anyone where he was going. Today, he was going for a ride to buy jellybeans. Wolf loved jellybeans.

Premise/plot: How far will Wolf go to get jellybeans????? When the store is OUT of jellybeans, Wolf realizes that the only way to get his jellybean fix is to win a local competition for PETS. Will Wolf get a pet????? Maybe. Maybe not. Will he get his jellybeans????

My thoughts: I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. Did I love it more than Lone Wolf Goes to School???? Maybe. Both books are so fantastic. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series! I love how funny the books are. Lone Wolf is a hoot.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

21. George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles

 

21. George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles. Selene Castrovilla. Illustrated by Jenn Harney. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book biography, history, j nonfiction]

First sentence: George Washington had to wear glasses. It was secret. He hid them in his pocket and never showed anyone. It was too embarrassing. He worried: glasses made him look odd! He feared: glasses made him look weak! He frowned: glasses made his nose look big!

Premise/plot: Did you know George Washington wore glasses? This picture book biography--more a biographical slice than a proper biography--shares an incident with young readers from American history. George Washington was trying to calm down angry soldiers who had not been paid for their service. He had a speech prepared, however, when it came time to give it....he found he couldn't read it without his glasses. Will his glasses save the day or ruin it?

My thoughts: I'd not heard of this particular incident before reading this picture book. (Newburgh Conspiracy) I enjoyed this one. Though I don't believe I've read the author before, she states in her note that this is her fifth book, I believe, about George Washington. I will have to see if my library has them.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School

 

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy] 

First sentence: Wolf could count his friends on one hand. Three, two, one...NONE! And that was the way he liked it. Wolf ate alone. Rode his bike alone. Played tennis alone. But there were some places that Wolf couldn't be alone.

Lone Wolf Goes To School stars a LONE WOLF who is set in his ways. Throughout the chapter book, Lone Wolf is given plenty of opportunities to change his ways, to welcome the world, to have his heart grow 'three sizes too big.' Yet time and time again, Lone Wolf prefers to stay true to himself--a loner. There's a scene that seems almost predictable. You would naturally expect in a children's book especially that the 'lesson' or the 'moral' or the 'point' of the story would be to show Lone Wolf making friends, of learning to enjoy being around others, etc. But the author is playing with audience expectations. (If not expectations of children then expectations of adults. HENCE why it is so funny.) Buster Keaton explained this best when talking about gags: "I always want the audience to out-guess me but then I double cross them."

LONE Wolf Goes to School was clever and funny. I highly recommend.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party

  

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party. Lauren Stohler. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, early chapter book, early graphic novel]

First sentence: Attention, everyone! I have a very important announcement! Soon, I will be one hundred and thirty-three years old! I want to do three big things for my birthday, but I don't know what!

Premise/plot: Gnome and Rat are friends--best friends--starring in the early graphic novel Time to Party. Both Rat and Gnome have things to celebrate--Rat wants to have his own something to celebrate.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this early chapter book/early graphic novel. It is both. I didn't love, love, love, love, love this one as much as the first book. The first Gnome and Rat book really wowed me with how delightful, fun, and original it was. The second and third books (yes, I read them out of order) are nice--nice enough at the very least. I enjoyed the second book more than the third. I think early readers in the again-again-again series phase, will binge through all the books in the series.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

18. Towed by Toad

 

18. Towed by Toad. Jashar Awan. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, early reader]

First sentence: Breakfast! 
No time, Pop! Can't stop!
Big cars. Little cars.
Old cars. New cars.

Premise/plot: This is an early reader starring a Toad who tows. Toad has a tow business. But what happens when Toad needs a tow?

My thoughts: This early reader is written in rhyme and packed with action. It isn't the absolutely most thrilling read--if you're older. But for a newly emergent beginning reader this one I think would prove enjoyable.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

17. Big Changes for Plum

 

17. Big Changes for Plum. Matt Phelan. 2025. [January] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

First sentence: The days of summer are long and slow, warm and comfortable. The animals of the Athensville Zoo did not have a care in the world. Summer doesn't last forever, but on this late August morning, it felt like it might never end. 

Premise/plot: Big Changes for Plum is the final book in the Plum series by Matt Phelan. Plum, our hero, is NOT at all comfortable with all the many, many, many changes coming to Athensville Zoo. It has been closed for renovations and almost all the animals shipped to the other locations [zoos, etc.]. Plum remains behind--by choice, sneakily. Can Plum find a way to stop change from coming? Will his friends return to the zoo?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed this series so much. Some more than others--naturally. But this one was a delight. Many--like Plum--find change uncomfortable and unwelcome. I think the series as a whole should be recommended to young readers.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

16. Toto

    

16. Toto. Hyewon Yum. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Sometimes I wonder
how I would look without Toto.
Would I look pretty?
Would I look plain?

Premise/plot: A little girl with a birthmark (a birthmark she has named Toto) starts school and makes a friend.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I'm not sure I absolutely loved, loved, loved it. But I strongly liked it. I will always be the first to check out stories with characters with birthmarks because of my own experiences. I am glad that more books are coming out in recent years. The text is simple and joyful.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

15. Trouble Finds Plum!

   

Trouble Finds Plum. Matt Phelan. 2023. 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

First sentence: Some days are just perfect for a trip to the zoo. Clear blue skies. Pleasant sunshine. Warm, but not sticky hot. This was not one of those days.

Premise/plot: Trouble Finds Plum is part of a series. If GoodReads bothered to include the number in the title or description, I could place it within the series for you. Plum, our hero, is in TROUBLE, big trouble thanks to a gang of bossy, demanding raccoons who have 'invaded' the zoo and are demanding special treatment. It may just take all the animals in the zoo working together and some brainstorming besides to clear up this mess.

My thoughts: I have really loved some of this series. I've liked some of the books in the series. This one was good. I definitely enjoyed it. Plum and friends are super fun. 

IT is the third book in the series.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

14. Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City

 

14. Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City. Cam Higgins. Illustrated by Allison Steinfeld. 2025. [February] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book]

First sentence: "First one out of bed is a rotten egg!" Mmm, rotten egg. I licked my lips. Rotten eggs are the slimiest. And the yummiest! My nose wiggled as I imagined the deliciously stinky stench of a rotten egg. My whiskers twitched as I almost tasted its gooey greenness.

Premise/plot: Ratnip is....you guessed it...a rat. He and his large family live in the city in an abandoned pizzeria. Not all of his siblings are comfortable enough going out on the streets to scrounge for food, but Ratnip finds it quite the adventure. Humans are so curious! In this first book in a new series, Ratnip finds a cell phone and becomes determined to return this lost object to its owner. But how is this to be achieved? After all, he's a rat and the phone is awkward to lug around! It might just take some friends new and old to get the job done.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I am always happy to give new early chapter books a try. Would I have liked it more if it had been mice instead of rats? Perhaps. I do always enjoy animal fantasy. This one was cute enough--well, if you can get over rats and cute being in the same sentence. There are three more books already in the works for this series. And the author has another series as well. 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

13. Pasta! These Names Are Fun To Say

 

13. Pasta! These Names are Fun To Say. Felice Arena. Illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

First sentence: These pasta words are fun to say...
macaroni
rigatoni
cannelloni
Pasta! 

Is the book strictly necessary? Of course not! Is the book fun? Strongly leaning towards yes. What I can say with confidence is that THESE [pasta] NAMES ARE FUN TO SAY. So the book delivers on its promise.

The book is straightforward enough. It is a celebration of all things pasta--mostly. It views pasta as a way of life. (Almost). It's silly and exuberant.

I definitely enjoyed this one. I didn't love the illustrations though I did love the cover. 

It reminded me of one of my favorite Sesame Street songs/skits about tortellini.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

12. Gnome and Rat: First Snow

12. Gnome and Rat First Snow (Gnome and Rat #3) Lauren Stohler. 2024. [November] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

First sentence: A four-letter word for 'something fluffy and white, that falls overnight...'

Premise/plot: Gnome and Rat star in their third adventure together in Lauren Stohler's Gnome and Rat First Snow! Rat and Gnome have been invited to Rat's family event Nest Fest. But the journey to get there, well, it is packed with a lot of missteps and adventures. 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I haven't read the second book--still on order at the library. The third book is one I wanted to love: it sounds FUN. However, it just didn't charm and delight me like the first book. Though the misadventures were technically different/distinct, the journey to get there just seemed so slow-paced to me. Granted I am NOT the target audience, obviously. I do enjoy the characters. I will definitely read the second book when it arrives.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

11. Noodles on a Bicycle

 

11. Noodles on a Bicycle. Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Caldecott Honor, historical picture book, picture book]

First sentence: When the deliverymen set off in the morning, we sit outside
and watch
and wait
for the flicker of pedal and wheel.

Premise/plot: Noodles on a Bicycle is a historical picture book set in Tokyo, Japan. Soba deliverymen are the star of the show--the scene stealers. 

My thoughts: This one left me speechless-mostly. This was my first introduction to the subject! It would be an understatement to say I was captivated and in awe--at the whole concept let alone the execution. I loved learning something new. I loved the story. I loved the WRITING. Such a beautiful narrative style. I enjoyed the illustrations.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

10. A Mouse Family Christmas

  

10. A Mouse Family Christmas. Deborah Underwood. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, holiday, Christmas] 

First sentence: On Christmas Eve, the house on the corner was quiet downstairs...and joyful upstairs, as the big, bustling Mouse family prepared for Christmas.

Premise/plot: A mouse family makes a lonely [old] man happy during a snow storm when they decorate his Christmas tree in the night.

My thoughts: Is it odd to be reviewing a Christmas book in January? Perhaps. In my own defense, I put the book on hold months ago and I've been patiently waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. I had every hope that it would be cataloged and shelved before Christmas. Alas. The good news? The book is delightful. I love the story, the characters, the illustrations. I enjoyed seeing the upstairs/downstairs stories. This one reminded me of Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and The Tailor of Gloucester.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

9. Chooch Helped

 

 

9. Chooch Helped. Andrea L. Rogers. Illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, siblings, family, picture book]

First sentence: This is the baby. We call him Chooch. The word for boy or son in Cherokee is atsutsa.  

Premise/plot: A sister is terribly, horribly annoyed with her younger brother--or bother as the case may be. The book is set within a Cherokee family/community; while the book is not wholly bilingual, the book certainly has an emphasis on introducing new words to readers. 

My thoughts: This one won/earned the Caldecott Medal in 2025. (The awards were announced earlier this morning). It is totally normal for me to be unimpressed with the winner. My artistic taste--or artistic eye--for better or worse never has aligned at all--not even a little bit--with the majority of winners. What I absolutely love, love, love and am drawn to is never what the judges are looking for--apparently. Which is fine. To each their own. Picture books have always had the most potential for being polarizing because you've got TEXT and ART. 

The story is simple, relatable, enjoyable enough. The art just wasn't for me--personally. You may love it. I think anyone with a sibling can appreciate this one.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

8. Silent Movie

  

 

8. Silent Movie. Avi. Illustrated by C.B. Mordan. 2003. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars, historical picture book, immigration]

First sentence: One hundred years ago people from all over the world are moving to the United States of America. Some want adventure. Some are fleeing hardship. Others come because they believe America is the "Promised Land." Among those who seek a better life is a family from Sweden. The first to go is Papa...

Premise/plot: Silent Movie is not a wordless picture book. However illustrations--told within black and white frames--do the heavy lifting in terms of story telling and characterization. The words assist the artwork.

The premise is relatively simple: A mother and son who have recently arrived in America--New York City, I believe--struggle to find the "Papa" who came before. Relatively alone and without resources, the pair struggles to find a way to make it. A chance--oh so fortunate--encounter with a movie maker (director?) leads to a happy ending! The boy is cast in a silent movie and the father recognizes his son on screen and the family is able to reunite!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The illustrations and text pair wonderfully together to convey the story of immigration experience at the turn of the twentieth century. (The story is set circa 1909.) 

This one might be appreciated more by readers who have seen at least one or two silent movies and understand the concept. However, there's no reason why this picture book couldn't come first and serve as an introduction to the early days of movies. 

Some/many silent movies are "shorts" and are about twenty minutes in length. There are silent movies for just about any genre. 

This one could be read by a wider range of ages.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

7. Lefty: A Story That Is Not All Right

Lefty: A Story That Is Not All Right. Mo Willems. Illustrated by Dan Santat. 2024. [December] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, picture books, nonfiction]

First sentence: Hi, Righty! Did you know...there was a time when people could get into trouble...really, really BIG trouble--

Premise/plot: At its most literal (taken at face value) this is a pun-filled nonfiction picture book about perceptions through the centuries of being left handed (as opposed to right handed). 

My thoughts: I don't know if I'm disappointed because it is Mo Willems and I was expecting to absolutely love it above and beyond OR if it is just truly not my taste. Perhaps a bit of both.

While I almost-almost appreciated some of the illustrations, for the most part they just were not for me. I found them weird, odd, over-the-top. Of course, art is in the eyes of the beholder. Some readers may find the illustrations to be a great fit and wonderful.

The text was okay, fine, nice enough. Again, I am a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE, HUGE fan of Mo Willem--usually. Like his writing usually appeals to me above and beyond. These are books that I reach for again, again, again. The writing was just so so-so. There was one scene that made me smile--the one about cookies. But for the most part, I wasn't super impressed.

The subject is perhaps not the most thrilling, HOWEVER, I do think it's a fine subject. I don't know that left-handed prejudice is alive and well, a current, relevant "thing." I don't think it's been much of an issue for decades. That is, I think it's been steadily declining as an issue for decades. It just is--and no one really cares.

 I do think that this book is not to be taken at its most literal. There are a lot of elephants in the room (not literal, sadly, I wouldn't have minded a cameo from Elephant). I do think the book is a way to talk about other subjects. This tone is heavy-handed (pun-intended). In this sense I think it's a bit didactic. Here's the thing--and I've said this before--a conclusion can be one you agree with (or one you don't agree with, for that matter), and if it's written in a didactic way it can be a bit of a turn-off.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

6. What-a-baby

 

6. What-a-baby First Words Book. (Whataburger). Blue Star Press. 22 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, novelty book]

First sentence:  Whataburger. Lettuce. Tomato. Onion. Pickles. Patty. Cheese. Bacon. 

Premise/plot: A board book of vocabulary words taken from the Whataburger menu. This novelty book for the youngest of fans may delight adults more than little ones, however, any time spent reading aloud to little ones is a bonus. 

What would make this one even better would be if there was an audio book read by Matthew McConaughey. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I thought it was fun in a novelty-silly way. The illustrations could be better, could be worse. They have a retro-dotted style about them. I liked the wide range of words included. 

 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

5. Pizza and Taco: Coolest Club Ever

 

5. Pizza and Taco #9: Coolest Club Ever! Stephen Shaskan. 2025. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book, series book]

First sentence: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Ooh!

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco have starred in nine books together. In this ninth book in the series, Pizza and Taco are excited about starting an after school club, however, they are not the only students starting a club. Can these two have the coolest club ever? And just what should their club be about?

My thoughts: I have read all nine books in the series. Some I have loved, loved, loved. Some I've barely liked. Still this series has more hits than misses as far as I'm concerned. I think the little things that might keep me from "loving" or "gushing" about an individual title in the series probably wouldn't be an issue for the target audience. Series for this age group thrive on having readers who LOVE comfort, familiarity, and predictability. Book characters are FRIENDS. And there's something awesome about coming back again and again to spend time with beloved friends. 

I do recommend the series. I am always happy to pick up the newest book in the series. 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Mustache Baby

 

4. Mustache Baby. Bridget Heos. 2016. HMH. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When Baby Billy was born, his family noticed something odd: He had a mustache.

Premise/plot: His parents anxiously wait to see if Baby Billy's mustache will turn out to be a "good-guy" mustache or a "bad guy" mustache. Readers see "Baby Billy" through his toddler years. And in fact, while most of the time his mustache is a good-guy mustache, there are SOME days when it is in fact, quite the opposite. "But a funny thing happened. As Billy got bigger...his mustache grew and curled up at the ends."

My favorite scene is probably when he robs a train: "A train robber so heartless that he even stole the tracks." The expression on his face is PRICELESS.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I wished I'd known about it when it first came out in 2013. I don't know how I missed such a great book. It is now available in board book format.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Sabrina Sue Loves the Mountain

 

3. Sabrina Sue Loves the Mountain. Priscilla Burris. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, animal fantasy, ready to read, chickens and farms, 3 stars]

First sentence: Sabrina Sue lived on a farm. She liked to walk through the fields. One morning in the distance she saw--a big, tall mountain.

Premise/plot: Sabrina Sue--a chicken with dreams--stars in her sixth ready to read early reader. This chicken is always dreaming big. In this one she dreams of mountain climbing.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed Sabrina Sue in the past. I do think she's an enjoyable--albeit silly--character. For better or worse if you've read one, you've essentially "read them all." I think that could be a good thing for young readers who find satisfaction in predictability and sameness, an assurance that things will stay just the way they like/love them. This one is not as absolutely silly as some of the previous books in the series. Recommended for fans of spunky chickens.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!"

 

2. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!" David LaRochelle. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up for a battle of wits and test your brain with my nearly impossible Game of "No!" Here's how it works: Every time I ask a question, you have to say "NO!" If you accidentally say "YES," then you have to go all the way back to the beginning of this book and start over. Are you ready to play?

Premise/plot: Perhaps not necessary after that first paragraph, but I'll give it a go. Mr. Fox playfully teases young readers with a fun, silly game. [It has the same vibes of Simon Says.] Through a series of questions, readers may be tempted to say yes...

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I do think it would be a playful book to read aloud with little ones. It does invite audience participation, if you will, so a group setting might be a good fit. Definitely reads younger and not older.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah

1. The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah. Jane Yolen. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]

First sentence: The first problem Rochel-Leah had was that she was a girl. 

Premise/plot: This picture book is set in a small Russian village--a shtetl--in the 1830s. Rochel-Leah, our heroine, wants more than anything to learn to read. But there are many, many, many obstacles standing in the way. She has spunk and determination, but will that be enough???

My thoughts: This picture book is based on a story passed down through many generations in Jane Yolen's family as happening to a cousin of a cousin of a cousin or some such like way back when. Regardless of its origin, the story celebrates gumption and a LOVE of words, of stories, of the power of such. 

 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers