173. Something Special for Me

Something Special for Me. (The Rosa Books #2) Vera B. Williams. 1983. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Our new chair has cocoa on one arm now.

Premise/plot: Rosa and her family have kept adding money to their jar. They were able to buy their chair--a chair for her mother (and grandmother). But now the jar is almost full again and Rosa's birthday is days away! The coins this time will go towards Rosa's birthday present. But HOW is a girl ever to choose what she MOST wants. She wants the present to not only be special--for herself--but bring some joy and happiness to the others in her family as well.

My thoughts: I had NO IDEA that A Chair For My Mother had sequels. This is the first sequel. In this one, Rosa picks out a musical instrument--an accordion, I believe. I definitely enjoyed spending more time with this family. I could relate 100% to her indecisiveness.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Bicycle to Treachery

Bicycle to Treachery: A Miss Mallard Mystery. Robert Quackenbush. 1985/2019. Simon & Schuster. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: While on a bicycle tour of Holland, Miss Mallard--the world famous ducktective--took a wrong turn. She became separated from the other cyclists.

Premise/plot: Miss Mallard stumbles--or perhaps I should say cycles--into this mystery quite by accident. She never intended to stay at an inn or meet Julia Pintail. Julia is in danger; she's being followed by ducks in trenchcoats! She lets Miss Mallard know that she has something important to tell her...soon. Miss Mallard later discovers Julia has been ducknapped! She also discovers that Julia slipped her a little black book--written in code. Will Miss Mallard be able to decode the message and save her new friend?

My thoughts: I really LOVE this one. I love, love, love Miss Mallard. The series is just too much fun.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Gondola to Danger

Gondola to Danger: A Miss Mallard Mystery. Robert M. Quackenbush. 1983/2019. Simon & Schuster. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective, was at the opera festival in Venice when the Italian police asked for her help. A priceless masterpiece had been stolen from the Doge's palace.

Premise/plot: Miss Mallard is back for another adventure. This time readers find the ducktective in Italy. The authorities suspect an artist, El Ducko. But Miss Mallard has met El Ducko before; she believes that El Ducko is being set up. Will she be able to find the art thief in time?

My thoughts: I really love this series. I wish I'd known about it as a kid. This was an enjoyable installment in the series. In fact it may be one of my favorites. (I liked that it didn't discuss "ghosts" or "demons.")

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stairway To Doom

Stairway to Doom (Miss Mallard Mysteries) Robert M. Quackenbush. 1983/2018. 80 pages. Source: Library]

First sentence: A flash of lightning ripped across the night sky. Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective, paid the carriage driver and hurried up the stairway that led to Duckinbill Castle.

Premise/plot: Miss Mallard stars in a mystery series for young readers. In this one Miss Mallard is with family in an old Scottish castle--a will, Great Aunt Abby's--is being read. To inherit, each family member must stay in this "haunted" castle all night long. Miss Mallard seems fearless and fierce--she's a smart duck. But some of the other characters seem frightened, very frightened. Is there just cause for their fear? Is the castle truly haunted?

My thoughts: This is equal parts funny and absurd. I love, love, love the idea of a duck detective, a ducktective. It's a quick, fast-paced read geared towards young readers just getting comfortable with chapter books. The illustrations are super-fun.

I wish my library had ALL the books in this series. I really need to track them all down.

Original audience would have born circa 1976 to 1978.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Me Too!

Me Too! Mercer Mayer. 1983. 23 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: When my little sister saw me riding my skateboard, she said...Me Too! Then I had to help her ride. I had a paper airplane that I made myself. But my little sister saw it and said...Me Too! Then she threw it in a tree.

Premise/plot: Little Critter HATES to hear his little sister say "Me Too!" Will I have to SHARE everything? Can he never have a moments peace?

My thoughts: I like this one. I don't know that it's my absolute all-time favorite in the Little Critter series. (Do most people have an ongoing ranked list of Little Critter books in mind?) But I really enjoy it. I love Little Critter. And I think he is a good big brother. And as the end of the book shows, she is a good little sister too.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Just Go To Bed

Just Go To Bed. Mercer Mayer. 1983. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I'm a cowboy and I round up cows. I can lasso anything. Dad says..."It's time for the cowboy to come inside and get ready for bed."

Premise/plot: Will Little Critter go to bed willingly?! Or will his dad have to get super-creative and match the wits of his son?!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, SUPER love Little Critter. I grew up on Little Critter books. I'm not sure if I love Little Critter because I grew up with him, or if regardless of when I met him I would see myself. 

Quotes:

I'm a space cadet and I zoom to the moon. I capture a robot with my ray gun. Dad says..."This giant robot has captured the space cadet and is going to put him in the bathtub right now."
I'm a sea monster attacking a ship. Dad says, "It's time for the sea monster to have a snack."
I'm a zookeeper feeding my hungry animals. Dad says..."Feeding time is over. Here are the zookeeper's pajamas." 

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Was So Mad

I Was So Mad. Mercer Mayer. 1983. Random House. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I wanted to keep some frogs in the bathtub but Mom wouldn't let me. I was so mad. I wanted to play with my little sister's dollhouse but Dad wouldn't let me. I was so mad. I wanted to play hide-and-seek in the clean sheets but Grandma said, "No, you can't." I was just so mad.

Premise/plot: Little Critter is having one of those days. He can't do anything that he wants to do. And the list of things he wants to do is LONG. Rejecting his parents list of things he could do instead, he decides to run away...after packing up a hefty supply of cookies...but will his friends' invitation to play ball change his mind?

My thoughts: I love, love, love Little Critter. I do. This book is fun. Little Critter's list of things he wants to do is quirky. Some readers can probably relate to. Others, maybe not so much. For example, one of the things he wants to do is TICKLE the goldfish.

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

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers