48-49. Two more Jonathan Fenske Books

48. Candy Corn Christmas. Jonathan Fenske. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, Halloween]

First sentence: Halloween had come and gone. But one confection lingered on, and pantry shelves became the haunts of candy corn that no one wants. They were the candy time forgot. They did not mold. They did not rot. They sat around the pumpkin pail, feeling bored and kind of stale.

Premise/plot: Candy Corn discovers Christmas. Essentially that is the premise of this rhyming picture book by Jonathan Fenske. But what will the Christmas candy (and decorations and like) think of having candy corn hanging around? And what will the jolly old man himself think of candy corn?

My thoughts: I have a love/hate relationship with the rhyming. On the one hand, Fenske does GREAT on some stanzas!!!! I really enjoy some verses. On the other hand, some just didn't work for me. If all verses were mediocre, then I wouldn't be torn. I do think it's a fun, silly concept. It will work as a read aloud, most likely. Particularly as a transition from Halloween to Christmas.





49. A Unicorn, A Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book. Jonathan Fenske. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture books, animal fantasy, meta fiction]

First sentence: A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark walk into a book. Ahem! I said, a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark walk into a book!

Premise/plot: The author--narrator--wants to make the best book ever. So, naturally, of course, he thinks that if he has a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark star together in a picture book then it will be a success, a sure thing. But the book doesn't have "action" at least until another character is introduced.

My thoughts: The book is silly and a bit ridiculous. I haven't decided if this is a "breaks the fourth wall" example or not. I am almost positive it is. Since the book and writing process is being discussed with you the reader. I don't love it. But I also don't hate it. I mean I've read more successful attempts of this. I do think that kids might enjoy it, maybe. And perhaps teachers could encourage students to write their own stories or follow story prompts. Or to discuss predictions. What do you think will happen next?

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46-47. Two Peek-a-Clue Board Books

46. Peek-a-Clue: Animals at Home. Gideon Sterer. Illustrated by Marcos Farina. 2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board books]

First sentence: I purr and I slink. I like to eat fish. My scratchy pink tongue laps milk from a dish. My ears are quite pointy. I lie in your lap. The thing I love most...is taking a nap! Who am I?

Premise/plot: Peek-a-Clue: Animals At Home is a board book with unique cut-outs that 'reveal' the mystery animal. In this one there are three mystery animals to be revealed--one page, one clue at a time. The text and the illustrations both contain clues.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the cut-outs! The premise isn't particularly unique, but, the cut-outs are a bit more unique. I definitely would recommend to little ones.

47. Peek-a-Clue: Safari Animals (An Animal Guessing Game) Gideon Sterer. Illustrated by Marcos Farina. 2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board books]

First sentence: I have a long snout full of teeth that go chomp! My spiky green tail sweeps through the swamp. My legs are quite little and so are my feet. Watch out, you fishes....I like to eat! Who am I?

Premise/plot: Peek-a-Clue: Safari Animals is a board book with unique cut-outs that 'reveal' the mystery animal. In this one there are three mystery animals to be revealed--one page, one clue at a time. The text and the illustrations both contain clues.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the cut-outs! The premise isn't particularly unique, but, the cut-outs are a bit more unique. I definitely would recommend to little ones.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44-45 Two Jonathan Fenske Books

44. 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. Especially if you add in some effects!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

45. Plankton is Pushy. Jonathan Fenske. 2017. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Why, hello, Mister Mussel! I said, "HELLO, MISTER MUSSEL!" Well, that is just RUDE! Let me tell you how this works.

Premise/plot: When Plankton greets "Mister Mussel" and doesn't get a response, well, Plankton gets PUSHY. Also frustrated, exasperated, and sarcastic. Will Mister Mussel open his mouth and speak? Will Plankton really want him to when all is said and done?

My thoughts: For readers--young and old--who like picture books with twist-endings, this is a fun treat. I'd also recommend it to anyone who read and loved Barnacle is Bored. I think if you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably like this one as well. I haven't quite figured out how to voice Plankton, but, I'm going to guess that it can be done and done well. (Maybe not by me...but we'll see. Barnacle is Bored is one of my favorite read alouds.)

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

43. Board book: Let's Count to Ten! Animals

43. Board book: Let's Count to Ten: Animals. Priddy Books. 16 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, counting book]

First sentence: Camel likes the desert hot. How many humps has he got?

Premise/plot: Let's Count to Ten: Animals is a concept book, a counting book. There are flaps to lift on each page and/or each spread. These are numbered flap that "help" you count. For example, "Colorful parrot squawks and sings. Can you count her feathery wings?" or "Foxes scamper around at night. Count them playing in the moonlight. One doesn't *need* to lift the flaps to count and find the answer. But you could if you wanted. By the last spread, you are counting one to ten.

The book also asks you to follow directions and follow the arrow to "count" in a certain order.

My thoughts: I thought this one was fun. I enjoyed the illustrations. I am undecided on if the flaps are necessary. BUT there is certainly nothing wrong with lifting the flap to count. I found my natural counting order and the "follow the arrow" order were different.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

41-42. Two Henry Chapter books

41. Henry's Picture-Perfect Day. Jenn Bailey. Illustrated by Mika Song. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, school, friendship]

First sentence: Classroom Ten was buzzing. Everyone was excited for Picture Day. Almost everyone. Henry tugged at his new shirt. The collar was too close to his ears. The cuffs were too tight on his wrists. The buttons went on forever. And the shirt had stripes.

Premise/plot: Henry is not excited for Picture Day. It is not regular. He is not dressed regular. He has all the thoughts and opinions. But with the help of some friends, Henry may just survive Picture Day.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love HENRY. He is so very relatable. Because he is so relatable to me, I find so many quotes to love. Like, "Henry had never practiced smiling. Maybe that was why he never looked like he thought he should in pictures."

I definitely recommend all the Henry books!

42. Henry Upside Down. Jenn Bailey. Illustrated by Mika Song. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [early chapter book, 5 stars, school, friendship]

First sentence: Henry could hardly wait. It was finally Garden Time for Classroom Ten. Each week, someone from their class would take care of the school garden.

Premise/plot: Henry wants to be the one to take care of the garden. He wants his best, best, best friend, Katie, to be his helper. The week will be perfect. Henry has thought everything out--and made a list. But when Katie invites her new friend, Ivy, to help too, well, that is NOT regular. Henry does not like the intrusion of Ivy into his friendship with Katie. Is there room in this garden for three???

My thoughts: Henry has some adjustments to make in this fourth early chapter book in the series. I love, love, love, love Henry. He is a GREAT character. I love and adore him. Not only that I understand him. Highly recommend the whole series.

Quotes: Henry liked lists. Lists meant not guessing. Guesses could be wrong. Lists meant not forgetting. Unless you forgot the list.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37-40. Four Board Books

37. Dinosaur Friends. Sara Miller. 2026. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board books, dinosaurs]

First sentence: Little Dino is lost. He wants his Mommy. "Are you my Mommy?" he asks Stegosaurus.

Premise/plot: Little Dino is searching for his mommy but not having much luck. This one is essentially a dinosaur themed, condensed version of the classic Are You My Mother.

My thoughts: It was okay. It was decent. I think the cut-out shape of this one is fun and gimmicky. Little dinosaur lovers may enjoy this one. It is a short read. It isn't overly tedious.



38. Gus & Sully: All Week Long. Steve Light. 2026. 16 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board books, friendship, concept book]

First sentence: Sully! I'm excited to spend the week together! All seven days! Can't wait!

Premise/plot: Two friends spend the week together. Different activities every day. The two friends don't always agree on everything, but fun is had.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. Again, it was decent. I have not read any Gus & Sully books before. It seems like these two might star in several books. IF your young reader loves these characters, this one is definitely something to consider. I also think as far as concept books go for days of the week, it isn't bad.



39. Glow with Sounds and Lights. Nicola Edwards. Illustrated by Sophie Ledesma. 2026. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, interactive board book]

First sentence: Moon's glow is so bold--she lights up the light! I'm supposed to shine, too, but I don't know how...

Premise/plot: Firefly isn't glowing. If he was, well, it would be a very short book. As he goes in search of his glow, little ones have things to press for glowing effects and sound effects.

My thoughts: This one is all about the gimmick of lights and sound. Thankfully there is an off/on switch. Though the existence of the off/on switch does not mean that little ones OR parents will remember to turn it off to save batteries. Try reading this one without the special effects and you'll see what I mean about this one being gimmicky. I also don't like the owl's eyeball glows.

It is okay. It is decent.

40. My Daddy is Everything (Board book) Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin. 2026. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, board books, family]

First sentence: My daddy is everything in my eyes. He's the answer to my hows and whys. Daddy's a tugboat that pulls me along. Daddy's a rock band playing our song. Daddy's the seeker whenever I hide.

Premise/plot: This book celebrates the love of a child and his father. The first sentence says it all. What you see is what you get!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love, love this one!!!!! Carole Boston Weatherford is a great writer. I love the story. I love the narrative. I love the illustrations. IT's just such a great read!


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

36. The Rare Bird

36. The Rare Bird. Elisha Cooper. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, cats, imagination, picture books]

First sentence: The Rare Bird flew through the forest, flying so fast he knocked the leaves off the trees.

Premise/plot: The Rare Bird is a quirky little picture book starring a cat with a vivid imagination.

My thoughts: This cat has SOME imagination. The whole book--except the last few pages--is written as if the book was about, you know, an actual actual bird. But it this CAT living his normal cat life but imagining a whole other world, whole other life. He never leaves the house but he's flying across the world and seeing it all.

I liked this one. It was quirky and whimsical.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers