110-113 Board Books by Fiona Watt

110. That's Not My Tiger. [Board book] Fiona Watt. Illustrated by Rachel Wells. 2010/2023. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: That's not my tiger. Its ears are too fluffy. That's not my tiger. Its paws are too smooth. That's not my tiger. Its tongue is too rough.

Premise/plot: One of the books in the THAT'S NOT MY....series by USBORNE. This one stars a tiger. Each spread features a touch-and-feel element for little ones to experience. The text--as you can see from my "first sentence" is predictable. (Which is not a bad quality for a board book for the youngest of readers). It is patterned. 

My thoughts: I have a weakness for touch and feel books. That does not mean I approach them without a critical eye. One of my pet peeves is when publishers try to pass off "shiny" as a texture to touch or feel. I enjoyed this one. The elements to touch (and feel) were good--for the most part. I think the tongue's rough texture could have been rougher if I'm being completely honest. The most satisfying texture to touch (and feel) was the BUMPY texture which represented the tiger's teeth.

111. That's Not My Lion. [Board book] Fiona Watt. 2001/2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: That's not my lion. Its ears are too soft. That's not my lion. Its paws are too rough. That's not my lion. Its tail is too fluffy.

Premise/plot: One of the books in the THAT'S NOT MY...series by USBORNE. This one stars a lion. Each spread features a touch-and-feel element for little ones to experience. The text--as you can see from my "first sentence" is predictable. (Which is not a bad quality for a board book for the youngest of readers). It is patterned. 

My thoughts: I have a weakness for touch and feel books. That does not mean I approach them without a critical eye. One of my pet peeves is when publishers try to pass off "shiny" as a texture to touch or feel. I enjoyed this one. The elements to touch (and feel) were good--for the most part. My least favorite texture to "touch" was the "shiny" teeth. Shiny is NOT a texture. My favorite texture to touch was the rough texture of the paws. 

112. That's Not My Teddy [Board book] Fiona Watt. Illustrated by Rachel Wells. 1999/2021/2024. 12 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars]

First sentence: That's not my teddy. Its nose is too soft. That's not my teddy. Its feet are too rough. That's not my teddy. Its patch is too squashy.

Premise/plot: One of the books in the THAT'S NOT MY....series by USBORNE. This one stars a teddy bear. Each spread features a touch-and-feel element for little ones to experience. The text--as you can see from my "first sentence" is predictable. (Which is not a bad quality for a board book for the youngest of readers). It is patterned. 

My thoughts: I have a weakness for touch and feel books. That does not mean I approach them without a critical eye. One of my pet peeves is when publishers try to pass off "shiny" as a texture to touch or feel. I enjoyed this one. The elements to touch (and feel) were good--for the most part.

This board book I'm rating five stars because ALL of the touch and feel elements were solidly good. There were many that I found appealing and fun. I enjoyed the rough feet of the Panda. If the book has a weakness, which I didn't really feel was a deal breaker for me, was the similarity between all of the textures. There were only two textures that offered differences--the "squashy" texture of the patch and the rough texture of the paws (of the Panda). The rest were just variations of "woolly, soft, fuzzy, and furry." Again, I loved all those textures so I didn't find it problematic for me.

 113. That's Not My Tractor... [Board book] Fiona Watt. 2001. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

First sentence: That's not my tractor. Its trailer is too rough. That's not my tractor. Its wheels are too smooth. That's not my tractor. Its window is too shiny. 

Premise/plot: One of the books in the THAT'S NOT MY....series by USBORNE. This one stars a tractor. Each spread features a touch-and-feel element for little ones to experience. The text--as you can see from my "first sentence" is predictable. (Which is not a bad quality for a board book for the youngest of readers). It is patterned. 

My thoughts: I have a weakness for touch and feel books. That does not mean I approach them without a critical eye. One of my pet peeves is when publishers try to pass off "shiny" as a texture to touch or feel. I enjoyed this one. 

On the one hand this book has the widest variety of textures to those in the series that I've read. On the other hand, several of the textures were not textures at all. SHINY is not a texture you can feel. Neither is sparkly. Smooth is technically a texture--but more a lack of texture perhaps. This one offers "rough, lumpy, and bumpy." Now that I'm analyzing more closely--perhaps this one doesn't have the best variety. Three essentially smooth textures and three essentially bumpy textures. 

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. A Fine, Fine School

A Fine, Fine School. Sharon Creech. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 2001. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Keene was a principal who loved his school. Every morning he strolled down the hallway and saw the children in their classes. He saw them learning shapes and colors and numbers and letters. He saw them reading and writing and drawing and painting. He saw them making dinosaurs and forts and pyramids. "Oh!" he would say. "Aren't these fine children? Aren't these fine teachers? Isn't this a fine, fine school?" 

Premise/plot: What happens when Mr. Keene, the school principal, gets CARRIED away with the idea of having a fine, fine school??????? Mr. Keene is so incredibly proud of how wonderfully FINE his school is, that he always has to push, to strive to make things even better. But is there such a thing as TOO much????

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one so much. I can't believe I'm only now discovering this one. I had no idea Sharon Creech ever wrote picture books. So what led me to seek this one out? to discover it? I saw that there is a sequel coming SMART, SMART SCHOOL. The premise to that one sounds awesome. I knew I needed to go back and pick this one up.

This is a funny picture book that I'd recommend to teachers and students.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

29. The Secret School

The Secret School Avi. 2001. 157 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On a cool Monday morning in early April 1925, Ida Bidson, aged fourteen, carefully guided her family's battered Model T Ford along a narrow, twisting dirt road in Elk Valley, Colorado. "Brake and clutch!" she shouted. Ida, only four-feet-eleven and unable to reach the floor of the car, knelt on the torn seat and gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her seven-year-old brother, Felix, hunched on the floor before her and used his hands to push the brake and clutch pedals down. 

Premise/plot: Ida desperately wants the chance to go to high school. Ultimately she wants to go to "normal school" and get her teaching certificate as well. But this eighth grader may not get the chance to graduate eighth grade dashing all her future dreams. Why? Well, their current teacher is leaving abruptly--a family emergency. The school board had decided to end the term early. The two eighth graders wouldn't get a chance to take their final [final, final] exams and graduate. The two wouldn't be permitted to go on to high school the next school term. But Ida, well, she has BIG dreams. And when someone suggests that she should be their teacher for the rest of the term, well, it makes a lot of sense. It has risks, for sure. She'll be a secret teacher at a secret school. Will she get a chance to take her exam? Will she be going to high school after all?

My thoughts: I love, love, love stories of one-room schoolhouses. This one was a PERFECTLY PERFECT fit for me. I loved getting to know Ida. I loved getting to know all her classmates/students. I felt the story was fleshed out. It felt very REAL. I cared about these students and their families. I wanted more, more, more. 

I don't know WHY I'm just now discovering this one. But I am super thankful I read it.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Hanukkah A Counting Book

Hanukkah: A Counting Book. Emily Sper. 2001/2010. Scholastic. 20 pages. [Source: Review copy]

 First sentence:
Worker candle
Light one more candle every night
to make EIGHT candles burning bright...
or NINE candles, if you count
the sha-MASH...or SHA-mes!

Premise/plot: This board book is an adaptation of a picture book. (The picture book is eight pages longer; I'm not sure if there are any changes or differences in the text or illustrations.) It is written in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. (There is a pronunciation guide for adult readers.) So this is a concept book doing at least double duty--if not triple. It teaches about Hanukkah. It teaches other languages. It teaches numbers.

My thoughts: I like this one. Can a book be both simple and complex? If that's possible this one is. At its simplest, it's a counting book that even the very young can enjoy. At its most complex, it offers information that can teach readers of all ages. (Learning numbers in Yiddish and Hebrew. There is one page explaining Hanukkah.)  I really like the candle cut-outs. Board books with cut-outs are fun.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Just a Secret

Just A Secret. Gina and Mercer Mayer. 2001. 24 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I asked Dad to help me make something. It was special. It was a secret.

Premise/plot: Little Critter has a secret to keep--an actual secret to hide. Can he keep it secret? Can he keep it hidden? Or will he hide it a little too well?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It was sweet; it was sweeter than I was expecting from Little Critter. Little Critter often makes me laugh.. 

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Beach Day

Beach Day. Karen Roosa. Illustrated by Maggie Smith. 2001/2018. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 30 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Waves roar,
Rush, and soar!
Rolling, crashing
To the shore.

Premise/plot: Beach Day was originally published as a hardcover picture book in 2001. It is newly reprinted in board book format. This board book CELEBRATES a fun day at the beach--a fun day OUTDOORS--and the celebration is ALL VERSE.

My thoughts: Those that know me know that I can be harsh when it comes to books written in rhyme. I have nothing but praise to offer for Karen Roosa's Beach Day. Her rhymes go above and beyond my expectations or standards. Lovely rhythm and rhyme throughout. Everything feels NATURAL and never forced.

Waves lapping,
Babies napping.
On the water
Sails are snapping.
Launch a boat,
Help Father float,
Build a castle
With a moat.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Case of the Troublesome Turtle

The Case of the Troublesome Turtle. (High Rise Private Eyes #4) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 2001. 47 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bunny enjoyed painting on Sundays. "Why don't you paint me?" asked Jack. "Because you won't sit still," said Bunny. "Yes, I will," said Jack. "No, you won't," said Bunny.

Premise/plot: Bunny and Jack have a new case to solve. Someone is stealing balloons from Mr. Paris' toy store. Can these two detectives figure out who or why? Often with these two they begin by focusing on the why to figure out the who. Why would anyone want to steal green and yellow balloons? Why are the balloons only stolen on Friday nights?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It may be my favorite of the series. I'm not sure if kids enjoy the banter between Bunny and Jack as much as I do. I don't always love it. In some books it can be more annoying than amusing. But this one opens with Bunny painting a portrait of Jack. That illustration is hilarious!

I believe I've now read all the books in the series.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Case of the Puzzling Possum

The Case of the Puzzling Possum (High Rise Private Eyes #3) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 2001. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bunny collected buttons. She had a lot of them. Probably a million. "Bunny, you've got probably a million buttons," said Jack every time he visited. "Yes," said Bunny proudly.

Premise/plot: Jack and Bunny have a new case to solve in this early chapter book mystery series. Someone is "borrowing" a trombone. The mystery thief steals the trombone and then returns it--time and time again. Who is the thief? What is his (or her) motive for taking the trombone?

My thoughts: I like Jack and Bunny. In this one, Jack is trying to "prove" how nice he is--or how nice he can be. Unfortunately, being nice on purpose leads to a few messes. Does being extra nice make up for his accidents? Perhaps.

I enjoy this series. Rylant's writing is always enjoyable. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Poppleton in Winter

Poppleton in Winter. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Mark Teague. 2001. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Poppleton's house grew very long icicles in winter.

Premise/plot: This early chapter book starring Poppleton and friends features three stories: "Icicles," "The Bust," and "The Sleigh Ride." In the first story, Poppleton may love his icicles a little too much. What will happen when they fall?! In the second story, Poppleton decides to make something. Winter is his best time for making. This year, what he decides upon is making a bust of his friend Cherry Sue's head. If only he could remember what she looks like! In the third story, Poppleton's disappointment turns to joy as his friends surprise him on his birthday.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed Poppleton in Winter. I want to read all the Poppleton books now. I enjoy spending time with him and his friends. The stories are delightful and charming. My favorite in this collection was "The Sleigh Ride."

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish

Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish (Mr. Putter and Tabby #10) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2001. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, loved going to the fish store. Mr. Putter loved it because he had owned goldfish as a boy. He had always liked goldfish. Tabby loved it because it made her whiskers tingle and her tail twitch. Tabby was old, but she still loved excitement. And fish were exciting!

Premise/plot: What will happen when Mr. Putter decide to buy three goldfish for his home?! Will Tabby be able to take all the excitement?! Maybe. Maybe not.

Mr. Putter watched. And Tabby batted. Bat. Bat. Bat. "Don't bat the fish, Tabby," said Mr. Putter. But Tabby couldn't help it. She got all twitchy. Bat went her paw on the glass. "No batting," said Mr. Putter. Bat. Bat. Bat. Bat. Finally Mr. Putter said, "Come on, Tabby, let's go to bed. We'll watch the fish tomorrow." Tabby wanted to go to bed. She needed to go to bed. She was tired from all that batting. But she couldn't move.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. Tabby steals the show in this early chapter book. I loved the writing. Even though this is the tenth book in the series, readers continue to learn new things about these two.

In one of my favorite scenes, Mr. Putter puts a bucket over the goldfish bowl so that Tabby can be "freed" of her addiction, her fascination. In the next scene, we see them watching birds out the window:

They watched birds instead of fish while they ate. Tabby didn't have a bird problem. Mr. Putter was glad. He wasn't sure he could get all those birds under one bucket.

And Howard's illustrations of Tabby are so expressive, so amusing! I would definitely recommend this series!
 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Cats

Cats. Larry Dane Brimner. Illustrated by Tom Payne. 2001. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Cats! Come in, cats. Let's play, cats. Please, cats! Stay on the floor.

Premise/plot: If you have a beginning reader who loves cats, this one is an absolute must. It has just thirty-three different words, most of them quite simple to read. If you tend to think that beginning readers must by necessity lack story, again this is a must. The story is about a little girl and her crazy cats.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. There are not a lot of words per page, but it's not light on story. It's a fun, engaging, SILLY story starring LOTS of CATS.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Grump

Grump. Janet Wong. Illustrated by John Wallace. 2001. Simon & Schuster. 32 pages.

Look how tired this Mommy is
Tired and frumpy
Grouchy chumpy
Oh, what a grump!


Look at Baby
Smart, good Baby
Happy Baby
Making gravy
Applesauce and ketchup gravy
Not too lumpy
Not too bumpy
Squish squish
DUMP!

Grump is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite books. I almost don't even need to make the qualification of favorite picture book. It's a book that begs to be read aloud again and again and again. The rhythm of it is almost magical--at least to me! I love the use of language, I do. I love the way it sounds, the way it feels on my tongue. It's real life. It's poetry. It just works.

The story of this one is simple. It's been a LONG, LONG, LONG day for this Mom and her Baby. And even if the Baby doesn't think he needs a nap, he needs a nap. But will this baby go down for a nap? Not without an all-too-familiar-struggle!

Baby's going to take a nap now
Baby's going to take a nap now
Baby's going to take a nap now
Take a nap now
Little lump.

She puts him in his crib and...

And oh of course that baby cries
Cries and whimpers
Cries and whimpers
Cries and whimpers
Play with me!
So Mommy sits 
And reads to Baby
Reads so pretty
Reads so softly
Reads and reads and reads until--

Can you guess what happened to the oh-so-tired, oh-so-grumpy Mommy?

This one is such a GREAT book. I loved how true-to-life it was. Not only for the baby, not only for the mommy--but it captures the ups and downs of the whole relationship.

This one has been a favorite going on ten years. Today I was looking to review some board books, hoping to find something great to share with you, when I thought again of Grump. Why isn't Grump still in print? Why hasn't it been reprinted? Why??? It's just a WONDERFUL book. And it would be a great board book!!! The combination of this story with that format would be just perfect!!!!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Everywhere Babies

Everywhere Babies. Susan Meyers. Illustrated by Marla Frazee. 2001/2011. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 30 pages.

Every day, everywhere, babies are born~
fat babies, thin babies, small babies, tall babies
winter and spring babies, summer and fall babies.


Every day, everywhere, babies are kissed~
on their cheeks, on their ears, their fingers, their nose,
on the top of their head, on their tummy, their toes.


Every day, everywhere, babies are dressed~
in diapers and T-shirts, in buntings and sleepers,
in playsuits and dresses, in sweaters and creepers.

I really enjoyed this board book! I loved the text. It was simple. It was rhythmic. It flowed well. And, the subject matter--it being ALL about babies--well, it works! I loved the art. (It's Marla Frazee!!! Whose work I just adore!!!) On every page readers see babies being babies. Capturing the simple little things that make up a baby's day, a baby's life. And I *liked* the message. That babies are babies are babies no matter WHERE you live. Yet this book is NOT message-driven.

The board book is large--much larger than most board books. And the art while not being bright, bright, super-bright should engage little ones nonetheless. 

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Rattletrap Car

Root, Phyllis. 2001. Rattletrap Car. Illustrated by Jill Barton. Candlewick.

What's a family to do when they need a vacation--a relaxing day at the lake--but their car doesn't go fast or far? Read and see in Rattletrap Car.

Junie was hot. Jakie was hot. Even the baby was hot, hot, hot.
"Let's go to the lake," said Junie and Jakie.
"Go," said the baby.

Even though the father thinks the car isn't in any condition to make it all the way to the lake and back, he's game to give it a try. So they all make preparations. What do they bring? Razzleberry, dazzleberry, snazzleberry fizz; chocolate marshmallow fudge delight; a beach ball; a surfboard; and a three-speed, wind-up, paddle-wheel boat. Do they make it? Is there day everything they hoped it would be? You'll have to read and see for yourself.

Loved everything about this one: the story, the characters, the language, the illustrations. (The rattletrap car, for example, goes "flippita fluppita fizzelly sizzelly wappity bappity lumpety bumpety clinkety clankety bing bang pop!") This one is fun. Purely silly. Worth a giggle or two at least.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers