94. Meet Danitra Brown

Meet Danitra Brown. Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You oughta meet Danitra Brown,
the most splendiferous girl in town.
I oughta know, 'cause she's my friend.
She's not afraid to take a dare.
If something's hard, she doesn't care.
She'll try her best, no matter what.
She doesn't mind what people say.
She always does things her own way.
Her spirit's old, my mom once said.
I only know I like her best
'cause she sticks out from all the rest.
She's only she--Danitra Brown.

Premise/plot: Zuri Jackson, the protagonist, is sharing a collection of poems about her best, best, best, best, best friend, Danitra Brown. The book celebrates friendship and life (and youth). Each poem is illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. There are more in the series. Sadly my library doesn't have the others. The illustrations capture such timeless 'small' moments in life. They are just a JOY. So expressive, so wonderful. The poems also celebrate the 'small' moments in life. Each poem highlights the friendship between these two girls--the ups and downs and everything in between.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

77. Leo the Late Bloomer

Leo the Late Bloomer. Robert Kraus. Illustrated by Jose Aruego. 1971/1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Leo couldn't do anything right. He couldn't read. He couldn't write. He couldn't draw. He was a sloppy eater. And, he never said a word.

Premise/plot: Much of Leo the Late Bloomer covers conversations between a mother and father as they discuss their late bloomer, Leo. The father worries that Leo will never, ever bloom. His mother is confident that Leo will bloom. Seasons come and go but Leo hasn't bloomed. Then one day, he does. And Leo's "first word" isn't a first word, but a sentence: "I made it!"

My thoughts: I did not grow up with this one. In fact, I didn't meet Leo until I was in college. But I definitely connected with him once I met him. I liked the optimism of the mother tiger. I could understand, in part, the frustration of the father. And I cheered the happy, happy ending. Overall, I'm not sure that it's perfectly-perfect in terms of modeling what to do if your child has learning difficulties. But I'm not convinced that it has to be. This isn't a how-to book for children or parents.

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

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Make A Wish, Molly

Make A Wish, Molly. Barbara Cohen. 1994. 48 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I didn't know about birthdays. In Russia we hadn't celebrated birthdays. But I learned once we came to Winter Hill. I had started school in the fall, and I'd hated it. But by spring I didn't hate it anymore. That's because I had a friend. Her name was Emma. Her desk was next to mine.

Premise/plot: Molly gets the chance to learn about birthdays--and birthday parties--in this early chapter book by Barbara Cohen. But perhaps more importantly she gets the chance to learn something about herself.

Molly sees a BEAUTIFUL decorated cake in a shop window. Her friend says she'll have a cake like that and her birthday party in a few weeks. Molly might get a chance to taste such a delectable cake for herself--it seems almost too good to be true.

Unfortunately, the birthday party takes place during Passover week. Molly does NOT want to take her own food to snack on--not while her friends are enjoying that incredible cake. Could she--should she--eat the cake anyway?

My thoughts: What a lovely little story! It's historical fiction--presumably early to mid-twentieth century. The family of our wonderful little heroine is Jewish--recently arrived from Russia. Their traditions are not the same as everyone else. Part of Molly longs to fit in no matter what. Coming-of-age novels address the question who am I? This does just that. I loved Molly's confidence by the end of the novel!

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Diary of a Killer Cat

The Diary of a Killer Cat. Anne Fine. Illustrated by Steve Cox. 1994. FSG. 64 pages.

First sentence: Monday. Okay, okay. So hang me. I killed the bird. For pity's sake, I'm a cat. It's practically my job to go creeping around the garden after sweet little eensy-weensy birdy-pies that can hardly fly from one hedge to another.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. This early chapter book is a diary of a killer cat. Tuffy's human is Ellie; Ellie and her family are horrified by the things their cat kills and brings back home. We get it all from Tuffy's perspective.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I didn't love, love, love it. But I enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy read. The narrative was quite funny, for the most part. It was probably for the best that there's a twist with one of his 'killings,' but it did make me have reservations about Tuffy until matters were clarified.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake. (Mr. Putter & Tabby #3) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was wintertime. Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, sat at their window every night to watch the snow come down.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake is the third book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers learn that Mr. Putter and Tabby LOVE Christmas. They love giving Christmas presents. But Mr. Putter isn't sure what to give his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, for Christmas. She loves fruitcake. Mr. Putter doesn't understand why a person would love fruitcake, would even like fruitcake. Cakes should not be able to break your toes. He decides he will bake her a cake for Christmas. In the second chapter, readers learn of all the obstacles standing in the way. "The cake was not a cinch. In the first place, Mr. Putter did not know how to bake a cake. He could bake instant muffins. He could bake instant popovers. But he had never baked a cake. He didn't know how. In the second place, Mr. Putter had no pans. He had muffin pans. He had popover pans. But he had no cake pans. If he baked a cake, it would have to be in a shoe. Or maybe in a flowerpot. Or even in a hat." The third obstacle: no cookbook. In the third chapter, Mr. Putter finds a solution to his problem. He will learn to bake a cake from Mary Sue. Mary Sue doesn't entirely seem trustworthy. She sells him $100 worth of STUFF though. "She sold Mr. Putter seven bowls. She sold Mr. Putter three sifters. She sold Mr. Putter ten spoons, five cups, two spatulas, a roll of waxed paper, and a Christmas tree pan. Then she sold him an Easy Baker cookbook and sent him out the door. Mr. Putter had spent one hundred dollars. And he still didn't have any flour." In the fourth and final chapter, Mr. Putter and Tabby get ready to bake. Will the cake turn out light and airy? Will Mrs. Teaberry enjoy the cake? Will this be a happy Christmas?

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was FUN. It was MERRY. I am continuing to love this series. The writing is just delightful. Rylant knows how to craft an entertaining story. There is a lot of characterization packed in as well--a lot of showing and not telling.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog

Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog (Mr. Putter & Tabby #2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her small dog, Zeke.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog is the second book in the early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, Mr. Putter decides to help a neighbor for a week when she becomes unable to walk her dog. Mrs. Teaberry assures him that Zeke is a DREAM dog who never tugs, who never wraps around trees, who never chases other dogs. The second chapter opens with this sentence, "Zeke was a nightmare." The chapter chronicles the first three days. Zeke misbehaves; Mr. Putter and Tabby return EXHAUSTED and in need of treats. The first day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and pudding and a nap." The second day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and popovers and a nap." The third day: "When Mr. Putter and Tabby got home, they had to have some warm milk and shortbread and a nap." The third chapter chronicles the last four days; Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to approach walking the dog differently. They've resorted to bribery. Will Zeke be a dream dog if he's rewarded for good behavior?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The writing was excellent. I loved the narrative style. Rylant is a great storyteller. I would definitely recommend this series. And treat yourself by beginning at the beginning.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea (Mr. Putter & Tabby #1) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 1994. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Before he got his fine cat, Tabby, Mr. Putter lived all alone.

Premise/plot: Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea is the first book in the Mr. Putter & Tabby early chapter series by Cynthia Rylant. In the first chapter, readers meet Mr. Putter. "He had warm muffins to eat. He had good tea to pour. And he had wonderful stories to tell. Mr. Putter was tired of living alone. Mr. Putter wanted a cat." In the second chapter, readers meet Tabby. Tabby is not a kitten; she is an old cat. "The shelter man brought Mr. Putter the old yellow cat. Its bones creaked, its fur was thinning, and it seemed a little deaf. Mr. Putter creaked, his hair was thinning, and he was a little deaf, too." In the third chapter, readers see these two living together happily. "After a while it seemed as if they had always lived together. Tabby knew just what Mr. Putter was going to do next. Mr. Putter knew just where Tabby was going to sleep next. In the mornings each looked for the other as soon as they opened their eyes. And at night each looked for the other as their eyes were closing. Mr. Putter could not imagine life without Tabby." It has a PERFECT ending.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I had read a few books in this series--those published the past few years--but never went back to the series beginning. It is a WONDERFUL book.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You. Sam McBratney. Illustrated by Anita Jeram. 1994. Candlewick Press. 32 pages.

Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you," he said. "Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. "But I love you this much," he said.

 Are you familiar with Guess How Much I Love You? Are you one of its many fans? I liked this one. I found it sweet and sentimental. If you're looking for a loving, affectionate parent-child relationship--within a picture book--it doesn't get much better than this. The dialogue between Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare--while repetitive--is undeniably sweet and loving.

But. While I liked this one. I don't feel that it is the best book ever. Or the most perfect picture book of all time. I liked it. I think it would be a good fit for most home libraries. And it's a sweet, gentle book that would be nice for bedtime. But. It's not one that I would want to again-again forever and ever.

It's available as a picture book and a board book. Don't forget the book-and-toy gift set and the baby book.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers