31. Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

31. Board book: Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct. Mo Willems. 2006/2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [animal fantasy]

First sentence: Everyone in town knew Edwina. She was the dinosaur who played with the neighborhood kids. She was the dinosaur who did favors for anyone who asked. Edwina helped little old ladies cross the street. And she baked chocolate-chip cookies for everyone. Everyone loved Edwina...except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie.

Premise/plot: Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie spends most of the book trying to convince everyone [and Edwina] that dinosaurs are extinct. Can Edwina's awesomeness convince Reginald to become a better, kinder person???

My thoughts: I liked this one well enough. I love Mo Willems most of the time. Edwina is a great dinosaur. I enjoyed this one.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

192. Thanks a Million

Thanks a Million. Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. 2006. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Reward
"Thank you"
is a seed I plant
in the garden
of your heart.
Your smile
is the flower.
A slow and sweet surprise,
it blooms before my eyes!

Premise/plot: A picture book poetry collection containing sixteen poems by Nikki Grimes. It is a themed collection. There are many ways to show/express gratitude or thankfulness. There are many reasons to be thankful [to give thanks]. 

My thoughts: This is not particularly a "Thanksgiving Day" themed picture book. I am glad of that, in a way. One should be thankful 365 days of the year. Gratitude is an attitude that one should strive towards every day. I appreciated the variety of the poems. There are MANY, MANY things to be thankful for.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. The Phantom Mudder

The Phantom Mudder. (Jack Russell Dog Detective #2) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2006. 76 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: One wet Friday, Sarge told me about the Doggeroo Dog Show.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our hero dog-detective, returns for his second adventure in The Phantom Mudder. Once again we have a mystery to solve. The action occurs at a local dog show. SOMEONE--the Phantom Mudder--is muddying ALL the dogs before the show. Can Jack Russell push past the smell of soap, soap, and more soap and find out WHO is determined to ruin the dog show?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I think I do love it more than the first book actually. Jack is as adorable a narrator as ever. And the mystery seems more solid in my opinion. Once again Jack is sharing his Jack Facts and his glossary.

Jack's Facts

• Dogs understand what humans say. Humans think they understand what dogs say. Therefore dogs are smarter than humans. This is a fact. (2)
• A Jack Russell may be sweet. A Jack Russell may be little. A Jack Russell is never a "sweet little doggie." This is a fact. (18)
• Dogs don't do anything if there's nothing in it for them. People sometimes do. That makes dogs smarter than people. This is a fact. (34)

Jack's Glossary

• Daching. The way dachshunds move about.
• Skulldoggery. Wicked goings on that concern dogs.
• Bathwater. One of the worst swear words I know.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

64. Dog Den Mystery

Dog Den Mystery (Jack Russell Dog Detective #1) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2006. 76 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Round and round and round. The paws are faster than sound. Round and round, round and round, round and...

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our hero, is moving with his human, Sarge (a police detective), to a new town, Doggeroo, in this first installment of a mystery series for young readers. As he's settling into his place--in particular his new back yard--he discovers some disconcerting smells and makes some observations. His yard HAD an old boot when they arrived, but, soon after the boot is gone. At first he's fine--it's not HIS boot--but then his own things (like his food bowl, his blanket, his squeak bone, etc) go missing. Can Jack Russell solve this case of burglary and reclaim his stuff?

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I loved the narration/narrative style. Jack has a very unique voice. He includes plenty of JACK FACTS and a glossary with each chapter. It is a fun, light-hearted read. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the illustrations.

Jack Facts

• Cars have windows. Dogs have noses. When these things come together, one must be stuck out the other. This is a fact. (4)
• Scratching and yapping gets you into the house when you're out. Scratching and yapping gets you out of the house when you're in. This is a fact. (14)
  

Jack's Glossary

• Squekes. Small hairy dogs with bulging eyes and loud yaffles. (34)
• Pan-dog-monium. A lot of noise that involves dogs. (62)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

51. Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons. Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Illustrated by Jane Dyer. 2006. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy?]

First sentence: Cooperate means, How about you add the chips while I stir?

Premise/plot: Amy Krouse Rosenthal defines words (mainly virtues though not always) using cookies as illustrations. Each definition offers a 'bite-size' life lesson.

• Respect means offering the very first cookie to your grandmother.
• Trustworthy means If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back, I will still be holding your cookie.
  
• Greedy means taking all the cookies for myself. 
• Generous means offering some to others.
  

Sometimes the definitions involve dialogue. But she doesn't use quotation marks to mark it as such. She uses a different font--a cursive one.

Her book features human characters and animal characters. They seem to be very interchangeable.

My thoughts: I first read this one in October 2006. I did review it in 2006 on Becky's Book Reviews back when I didn't use book titles as post titles. I titled this one Can A Cookie Be a Teacher?

I loved it then. I loved it now. I think the definitions still ring true. The illustrations are still super-cute bordering on precious. There are other books in this cookies series. I'm not sure I'll be revisiting all of them. But I'll try to review more of her books if I can find them.

I honestly don't remember--the book was published in 2006--if I bought this book because I loved it so much or if it was a review copy. My memory is not that good!

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

6. No Bows

No Bows. Shirley Smith Duke. Illustrated by Jenny Mattheson. 2006. 32 pages. [Source: Gift from author]

First sentence:  No bows...BRAIDS. No pink...purple!

No Bows is a great book. A really great book. And I'm not just saying that. Occasionally I come across a picture book hero or heroine that is me. There's just an instant click, a connection. I see myself in that character, in that book. Such is the case with No Bows.

In just a few words, our young heroine is fully-fleshed, fully developed. And she's fun. She's just a delight.

Here's a sample of the text:

no bows...
BRAIDS

no pink...
PURPLE

no puppy...
LIZARD

You get the idea. She's an individual. She's content, happy, delighted to be just who she is. And her parents love her just as she is.

The book is so simple, so inviting, that it just is begging to be an interactive "read." It's predictable in that even if one can't technically read the words on his/her own, the pictures are there to help out, give a clue as to what word comes next.

Anyway, I love the text. I love the concept. I love the illustrations. (So bright. So happy. So right.) If I had read this as a child, there is not a doubt in my mind that it would have been an again-again book. A book that I would have insisted time and time and time and time again be read aloud.

It reminds me--in a good way--of one of my favorite books, Ann Likes Red.

It is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG that this hasn't been published as a BOARD BOOK. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

78. Bones in the Badlands

Bones in the Badlands (Time Spies #2) Candice Ransom. Illustrated by Greg Call. 2006. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Mattie peered into the dining room.

Premise/plot: In the first book in the series, Secret in the Tower, readers meet three siblings who time travel: Alex, Mattie, and Sophie. (Sophie the youngest always, always, always brings her elephant, Ellsworth, along). The first adventure has the three going to 1781 in Virginia to witness Revolutionary War heroes in action. The second adventure has the three going to the Badlands in 1898 to meet up with archaeologists hunting dinosaur bones. It is a risky life! For there's quite a competition going on between paleontologists! The children will have to use their spying skills for sure!

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I stand by what I said in my review of the first book. I think I would have definitely loved the series as a kid. This one should prove appealing to anyone interested in time travel, adventure, spying, or dinosaurs!


© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

76. Time Spies: Secret in the Tower

Time Spies: Secret in the Tower. Candice Ransom. Illustrated by Greg Call. 2006. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy] (Lexile 540L)

First sentence: Alex Chapman felt like he was entering a strange new land.

Premise/plot: Alex Chapman and his family have moved to an old house in Virginia--a really, really old house, a house that was there during the American Revolution. He's not happy about the move--at least not at first. But after an incredible adventure with his two sisters--involving time travel--he might just be beginning to change his mind. This time travel adventure takes readers to 1781 and they can "meet" George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (among others). Guest appearances by Ellsworth (the stuffed elephant) and Winchester the cat.

Ransom's former blog starring Winchester and Ellsworth; it's been removed but thanks to the wayback machine I was able to snag this!!!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, crazy love Candice Ransom. I'll disclose that from the start. My heart filled with joy when I spotted the Winchester and Ellsworth references. As for the time travel, I can't remember a time when I wasn't fascinated with time travel. I would have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this series as a kid. I'd have worn the covers off and practically memorized them word for word. But I didn't read them as a child. But I can recommend them to your child.


© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mercy Watson Goes for A Ride

Mercy Watson Goes For A Ride. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 2006. Candlewick Press. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy. Every Saturday, Mrs. Watson makes a special lunch.

Premise/plot: Mr. Watson loves driving fast almost as much as Mercy loves eating buttered-toast. On Saturday, this father-daughter duo enjoy spending time together. First, they go for a drive. Mr. Watson drives. Mercy Watson rides. That is how it is supposed to go. But one Saturday, well, Mercy Watson gets the notion--reckless or not--that SHE is going to take Mr. Watson for the ride. She wants to be the one DRIVING super-speedy-fast. That just happens to be the day that one of their neighbors decides to join in the fun...

My thoughts: Mercy Watson Goes For A Ride is the second in Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series for young readers. The books are short and funny. If you like quirky. Because even though these books may be for younger readers--a younger audience than Tales of Despereaux and Because of Winn Dixie and Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane--DiCamillo still brings quirky characters to life, still brings plenty of humor. I liked the introduction of Officer Tomilello. I think he is great fun!

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spin the Yarn. (Mr. Putter and Tabby #15) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2006. 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, lived next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. Mr. Putter liked Mrs. Teaberry. She was a good neighbor. She made chocolate crunchies and shared with him.

Premise/plot: In this early chapter book, Mr. Putter fears he isn't a good neighbor. In the first chapter, he muses: "All I do is eat Mrs. Teaberry's food," Mr. Putter told Tabby one day. "I should do something nice for her." That something nice he decides to do is to serve the ladies of her knitting club tea. In the second chapter, Mr. Putter and Tabby arrive at the club meeting. It doesn't quite go according to plan. Tabby sees all that yarn--and, well, it takes Mr. Putter's quick thinking to prevent a problem. But Tabby isn't the only potential trouble-maker. Remember Zeke is only a good dog sometimes. Will the club meeting go well?!?!

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I typically enjoy the series. The fourth chapter in the book, "One Less Potato" has to be one of the most entertaining chapters in chapter book history.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Pusskins

Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story. Sam Lloyd. 2006. 32 pages. [Source: Library] (2006, UK)

First sentence: This is the story of a little girl called Emily and her dear cat, Mr. Pusskins. Emily adored Mr. Pusskins.

Premise/plot: Mr. Pusskins does not appreciate Emily. At least not when our story opens. What we have here is a story of a prodigal cat: "He went places he wasn't meant to go and did things he wasn't meant to do, and made friends with the Pesky Cat Gang." But after some adventures and misadventures, Mr. Pusskins may be ready to come home again. Will Emily be waiting for him?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, LOVED Mr. Pusskins. Whether or not it's intentional or not on the part of the author, Mr. Pusskins is a near-perfect adaptation of the Prodigal Son. I loved Emily start to finish. Mr. Pusskins is quite the character, quite the transforming character. "The things Mr. Pusskins wasn't supposed to do weren't fun anymore. And his new friends weren't really very nice. How lovely it would be to have someone brush his fur and tell him how much they loved him. He felt all alone." I thought the text was lovely and heartwarming.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This is the Stable

This Is The Stable. Cynthia Cotten. Illustrated by Delana Bettoli. 2006. Henry Holt. 32 pages.

This is the stable, dusty and brown,
in a quiet corner of Bethlehem town.
This is the star whose light shown down
on the quiet stable, dusty and brown.
This is the manger, filled with hay
to feed the animals sheltered away
from the chilly night when the star shone down
on the quiet stable, dusty and brown.

I liked this one. I didn't quite love it. But I liked it. I liked the poetic concept of it--the framework of it. I thought it worked for the most part. I also enjoyed the illustrations.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Poetry Friday: Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

Frankenstein Makes A Sandwich. Adam Rex. 2006. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 40 pages.

When Frankenstein
prepared to dine
on ham-and-cheese on wheat,
he found, instead,
he had no bread
(or mustard, cheese, or meat).
What could he do?
He thought it through
until his brain was sore,
And thought he ought
to see what he could
borrow from next door...

In 2008, I read Adam Rex's Frankenstein Takes The Cake. (It's full title is Frankenstein Takes the Cake Which Is Full of Of Funny Stuff Like Rotting Heads and Giant Gorillas and Zombies Dressed As Little Girls and Edgar Allan Poe. The Book We Mean--Not The Cake.) I loved it. I just LOVED it. I knew there was a previous book, Frankenstein Makes A Sandwich, but it's taken me until now to read it.

The full title of this one? Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich And Other Stories You're Sure to Like Because They're All About Monsters, And Some Of Them Are Also About Food. You Like Food, Don't You? Well, All Right Then.

Even if you're not the world's biggest poetry fan, you should pick up these two by Adam Rex. They're very funny! And they offer a little bit of everything. There's sure to be something that satisfies!!!

I enjoyed following the misadventures of The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom was being tortured by different songs he couldn't get out of his head... And I also really enjoyed the opening poem "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich."

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Click, Clack, 123

Click, Clack, 123. Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. 2006/2010. Little Simon. 22 pages.

1 farmer sleeping.
2 feet creeping.
3 buckets piled high.
4 chickens standing by.
5 cows type a note.

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these spirited books by Doreen Cronin. Have you read Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type? How about Giggle, Giggle, Quack or Thump, Quack, Moo? Then there is Dooby Dooby Moo and Duck for President!

Like the previous books in the series, this one offers a few surprises!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts!

Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts. Frances O'Roark Dowell. 2006. Simon & Schuster. 176 pages.

My name is Phineas Listerman MacGuire.
Most people call me Mac.
It's okay if you call me Phin.
You can even call me Phineas.
Forget about calling me Listerman.
I am allergic to fifteen things. My mom says this is not true, that I'm only allergic to two things, peanuts and cat hair. But I am a scientist, and she's not.

I really enjoyed Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts. This is the first in a series of books starring a science-loving young boy named Mac. Curious as to what he's allergic to besides cat hair and peanuts? Well, the color purple and girls to name just two. Also telephone calls, celery, cottage cheese, and kissing.

In this book, Mac is preparing for the fourth grade science fair. He would have loved to pair up with his best friend, Marcus. But. A few weeks after the school year started, his friend moved away. Which leaves Mac without a best friend. He does have an un-best friend. "Mac R." is the new kid in the class. And, well, he's not terribly popular. Which means when it is time for the class to pair up, the two Macs are without a teammate. Can "Mac R" and Mac learn to work together for the science fair? Can Mac convince the other Mac NOT to do a dinosaur project?

What did I love best about this book? The writing and the characterization. There's something so likable about Mac. He just felt very real to me. The book is funny too.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson Fights Crime. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 2006. Candlewick. 80 pages.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy. Each night, they sing the pig to sleep. Then they go to bed.

This book concerns what happens one night when Mr. and Mrs. Watson (and Mercy) do not sleep soundly in their beds. (And no, this isn't because Mercy breaks their bed again.) No, this is what happens when a wanna-be-cowboy breaks into their house. He's a thief. Leroy Ninker is his name. And the noise he makes--particularly the noise he makes handling the toaster--awaken Mercy from her sleep. Will Mercy stop this burglar? Will she save the day again?

This is the third book in the Mercy Watson series. What I like best about this series are the characters. How Kate DiCamillo can say so much in so few words. How well she shows readers instead of telling them.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mercy Watson Goes For A Ride

Mercy Watson Goes For A Ride. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 2006. Candlewick Press. 80 pages.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy. Every Saturday, Mrs. Watson makes a special lunch.

Mercy Watson Goes For A Ride is the second in Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series for young readers. The books are short and funny. If you like quirky. Because even though these books may be for younger readers--a younger audience than Tales of Despereaux and Because of Winn Dixie and Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane--DiCamillo still brings quirky characters to life, still brings plenty of humor.

In this adventure, Mercy decides she wants to do the driving. Mr. Watson knows that pigs should not drive. Even if they are porcine wonders. Even if they're toast-and-butter-loving porcine wonders. But when Mercy decides she wants to do something, well, you better get out of her way. Because this is one stubborn pig! Will Mercy get to do more than ride?!

I liked the introduction of Officer Tomilello. I think he is great fun!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

God Gave Us Christmas

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Illustrated by David Hohn. 2006. Waterbrook Press.

Mama and Little Cub are back for another adventure in God Gave Us Christmas. (They also star in God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, God Gave Us Heaven, and God Gave Us Love.) In this holiday picture book, Little Cub, inquisitive as ever, asks who invented Christmas. At first, Little Cub is convinced that Santa had to be the one who invented Christmas. After all, he is the one who brings all the toys. But Mama Bear lets Little Bear know that Christmas is all about God. The two, in fact, set off on a journey to see how God gave us Christmas. By looking at His creation, Little Bear soon accepts that God's gift is amazing. This is enthusiastic Christmas tale starring a lovable bear family.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. Susan K. Leigh. 2006. Concordia Publishing House. (Board Book)

This little board book is just right for your little ones at Christmas. It tells the real story of Christmas in simple sentences. It is very Jesus-focused. (Something that I just love, love, love!) Here's how it starts off:

Christmas is here.
Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

Jesus is the Son of God.
The Bible tells us about Jesus.

I love the simplicity of it. Yet at the same time I love how much substance there is. Each sentence says something important, something significant. If you're looking to share a non-Santa message with your little ones to prepare for Christmas, then this one might work for you.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

My Father The Dog

Bluemle, Elizabeth. 2006/2008. My Father The Dog. Illustrated by Randy Cecil.

"My father pretends to be human, but I know he is really a dog. Consider the evidence..."

Thus starts this fun and playful tribute to dog-like fathers everywhere. What's the evidence?

"When he wakes up, he's fuzzy around the edges. He starts off the day with a good scratch.

He fetches the newspaper every morning.

My father loves to roughhouse and play tug of war.

He hates to lose."

And that's only the beginning. I think most readers will enjoy this one. It's a cute premise that works well in the hands of Bluemle and Cecil. I enjoyed both the text and the art. Overall, I liked it and I think you will too.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers