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