68. Scaredy Squirrel

68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy.

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. He'd rather stay in his safe and familiar tree than risk venturing out into the unknown. The unknown can be a scary place for a squirrel.

I really liked this picture book. I liked Scaredy Squirrel a lot. I could relate to him in some ways. Because the unknown can be a bit scary. Readers may not share Scaredy Squirrels exact fears--green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, and sharks--but chances are they can relate to fearing something. Scaredy Squirrel is thrust into an adventure and forced into facing the unknown. And he learns that sometimes fears are just silly, and that life is meant to be enjoyed, to be lived. Out of the nut tree.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

174-178. Kitty Picture Book Parade

174. 10 Cats. Emily Gravett. 2022/203. [May 2023 in U.S.] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: 10 Cats
1 white cat
2 black cats
3 cats with stripes
4 cats with patches

Premise/plot: 10 Cats is a super fun concept book starring ten lovable, adorable, precious cats. It is a counting book and a color book. These curious and mischievous kittens are exploring the wonders--for better or worse--with three paint cans. The three cans of paint are primary colors. This has a similar concept to Mouse Paint--an awesome picture book everyone should know. But it is unique as well.

My thoughts: I loved this one so much! I loved this Mama cat and her nine kittens. I loved the adventures and misadventures! The illustrations are so expressive. The text keeps it simple. But the illustrations are more than capable of telling--of carrying--the story.

Highly recommended as a read aloud.

 175. Being A Cat A Tail of Curiosity. Maria Gianferrari. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Can you be a cat?
Being a cat
is seeking--
watching, wondering, wandering,
surveying everything around you.
Can you search like a cat?
Perch high. Look low.
Lurk under and around.
What have you found?

Premise/plot: A little girl and her cat star in this picture book. Apparently there is also a BEING A DOG.

My thoughts:  I enjoyed many aspects of this one. I love the questions and answers. I love the imagery. I love the illustrations. My favorite section:

How do you say I love you like a cat?
Jump. Rub. Bunt. Twine. Twist. Wind. Blink once, then twice. Knead. Cuddle. Curl like a question mark. 

Again, highly recommended for cat lovers of all ages. 

176. The Perfect Present. Petr Horacek. 2022/2023. [May] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Tom and Mot were best friends. Today was Tom and Mot's birthday. 

Premise/plot: Tom and Mot are cats who are best, best friends. They share a birthday. Tom gives Mot a feather. Mot gives Tom a marble. The two use their imaginations throughout the book. The presents are very abstract. 

My thoughts: I hoped to enjoy this one. I think it is still enjoyable if your expectations are reasonable. It is very abstract, in my opinion. The two presents represent very abstract, yet vibrantly creative and imaginative concepts. These two know each other very well. They "speak the same love language" if you will. These are much-appreciated gift. Not just a marble. Not just a feather.

177. This Story is Not About a Kitten. Randall de Seve. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. 2022. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: This story is not about a kitten. A kitten, hungry and dirty, scared and alone, meowing sadly, needing a home. This story is not about the dog who stopped when it heard the kitten, hungry and dirty, scared and alone, meowing sadly, needing a home. This story is not about the dog's people who listened, or the dog who stopped when it heard the kitten...

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates a community that come together to rescue a kitten. The storytelling format is loosely inspired by "The House That Jack Built...." but perhaps lacking some of the clever rhythm. 

My thoughts: I don't know that the repetitive nature of this format works when the rhythm is so clunky and not quite right. I think the story of a community coming together could be super compelling. And for many readers--less picky readers--this one could still work quite well.

178. A Kitten Tale. Eric Rohmann. 2008. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Once there were four kittens who had never seen snow. \

Premise/plot: A Kitten Tale is a fairly basic tale about four kittens. Three of the four kittens are nervous/intimidated/scared of snow. Mind you, the book takes you through ALL of the seasons. So the snow isn't imminent. But the fourth kitten is EXCITED about future snow. This one can't wait. He can't wait in spring. He can't wait in summer. He can't wait in fall. He is READY for whatever may fall from the sky. Will the other three kittens end up liking snow?

My thoughts: I liked this one. The illustrations are super, super adorable. I love the style of the illustrations. I definitely enjoyed the story. It isn't always entertaining to "learn" about the seasons of the year. But if you sprinkle in enough kitten illustrations, I'm hooked.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. Roscoe Riley Rules #1: Never Glue Your Friends To Chairs

Never Glue Your Friends To Chairs (Roscoe Riley Rules #1) Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Brian Biggs. 2008. 79 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hey! Over here! It's me. Roscoe. Welcome to the Official Roscoe Riley Time-out Corner. Want to hang out with me? I have to warn you, though. We're going to be here for a while.

Premise/plot: Roscoe Riley has GLUE, but not just any glue, it is Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue. It is PERMANENT. Of course, how and why he uses this super-permanent glue is an interesting, humorous story. (He's only got the best intentions, right????) 

My thoughts: This is my first introduction to Roscoe Riley. Apparently there's a series! This one strongly reminds me (in the best way) of Junie B. Jones. It also reminds me of Robert Munsch's humor. I like this early chapter book very much. I could see how it could hook young readers and make them want to read more, more, more.

I am so glad I revisited Katherine Applegate's earlier works. I'm definitely going to see if the library has more of this series.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

76. The Buried Biscuits

The Buried Biscuits (Jack Russell Dog Detective #7). Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2008. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The Case of the Buried Biscuits began early one morning.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell has another mystery to solve in his seventh adventure. This one involves two boys who are up to no good. The problem? Dogs are getting the blame. Biscuits are being stolen--and buried--and Jack Russell KNOWS its not any of his dog friends. And when he investigates the scene, his nose is pointing him to two BOYS that have been hanging around. This may be the toughest case for him--in some ways--because his human, Sarge, isn't exactly letting him investigate it properly.

My thoughts: I definitely appreciated this one more than The Sausage Situation. What I loved most about this one was that Jill Russell has quite a big surprise--leading up to the cutest tail wag ever. Of course, readers also get plenty of Jack's Facts (and his end-of-chapter glossaries and nose maps).

Jack's Facts:

• Dogs wag tails. Now and then, tails wag dogs. This happens if a dog is especially pleased. This is a fact. (63)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40. The Story of Growl

The Story of Growl. Judy Horacek. 2008. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: This is Growl. Growl is a little monster. She lives in a castle at the end of Eucalyptus Drive.

Premise/plot: The Story of Growl is....you guessed it...the story of Growl. Growl, our delightful monster-heroine, has a great life. She's as happy as can be. As is evidenced by her singing, skipping, hopping, and above all her GROWLING. But her neighbors, well, they don't love living next door to a monster. Especially a monster that growls. Can Growl become friendly with her neighbors?! Or will she be silenced....forever?!

My thoughts: Oh. How. I. Loved. This. Book. Growl is a monster, a purple monster, a monster who loves, loves, loves to growl. Oh. And she loves, loves, loves to sing about herself and her love of growling. Could a book be more perfect for me? Here is what the jacket flap says,

"What's wrong with a little growling--or a little singing--anyway? Plenty, if you ask Growl's neighbors. But sometimes, you don't know how important something is until you don't have it anymore.
A story of neighbors, compromise, monsters, and singing, that will having them shouting growling, "read it again!"

And this is how the book begins,

"This is Growl. Growl is a little monster. She lives alone in a castle at the end of Eucalyptus Drive. Growl likes to hop...and skip...and jump...and run around her garden. But most of all she likes to...GROWL."

That's just a small glimpse of what this monster is like. I loved this book so much. I could (but I won't) quote *everything* because I loved everything just that much. The text. The illustrations. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.



Definitely recommend this one if you have little monsters of your own.

 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

7. My Chocolate Year

My Chocolate Year: A Novel with Twelve Recipes to Make Your World A Little Sweeter. Charlotte Herman. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 2008. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "Fifth grade with Miss Fitzgerald is going to be the best grade ever!" I said to my friend Sunny Shapiro as I tried balancing myself along the curb.

Premise/plot: Dorrie Meyers stars in this lovely coming-of-age novel set during the 1945/46 school year in Chicago, Illinois. The war has ended, but its effects are far from over: especially for this Jewish American family. 

Dorrie hears or overhears much. Her family is concerned about their relatives in Europe. Did they survive the war? Were they among those murdered by the Nazis? Not knowing weighs on the family. Dorrie is just getting to the age where she's thinking beyond herself to others. But much of her thinking is consumed with the SWEET SEMESTER. Mrs. Fitzgerald, a fifth grade teacher, is known for putting on THE SWEET SEMESTER, a celebration of their time spent together. Each student brings ONE DESSERT that they prepared all by themselves. An essay is also involved. A 'best' dessert and 'best' essay will be recognized...

My thoughts: I enjoyed this historical middle grade novel! I did. It follows the whole school year. It contains plenty of family scenes and school scenes. I loved the characters. I loved the story. I would definitely recommend this one.

As far as age appropriateness--that depends on the child. Readers learn through the dialogue of the characters the fate of some of the extended family. To the overly sensitive child who has never learned anything at all about the Holocaust, it may come as a bit of a shock. It is not melodramatic or manipulative, in my opinion. The fate of those relatives is not the one and only point of the novel. 

You certainly can't please everyone. As I'm scrolling through the reviews on GoodReads I'm struck by two camps: HOW DARE A BOOK ABOUT CUPCAKES TALK ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST vs. HOW DARE A BOOK ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST TRIVIALIZE IT BY TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT CHOCOLATE. Life is complex. A girl can both LOVE, LOVE, LOVE desserts and spending time with her family and friends and listening to her most favorite radio programs AND be concerned about her extended family. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. Gold in the Hills (Time Spies #8)

Gold in the Hills: A Tale of the Klondike Gold Rush. (Time Spies #8) Candice Ransom. 2008. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "We're in charge," Mattie Chapman said to to her brother.

Premise/plot: Mattie, Alex, and Sophie are back for their eighth time travel adventure in Gold in the Hills. The three children time travel to the Alaskan Territory in 1897 in the midst of a gold rush. The siblings meet several different rushers--including a young Jack London. Their quest has them helping a young boy rescue his kidnapped dog!

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. This is the last book in the series that I own. (There are two more that I do not own. Since they were published in 2008, I'm not likely to come across them easily. If I do spot them, I'd probably buy them.) Overall, I've enjoyed the series very much. I like how each book can stand alone.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

47. Dandelion Fire

Dandelion Fire. (100 Cupboards #2) N.D. Wilson. 2008. 480 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Kansas is not easily impressed.

Premise/plot: Henry York stars in the second book of the 100 Cupboards trilogy, Dandelion Fire. The novel opens with Henry fearing that his days in Kansas are numbered. His parents have returned to the states after their adventure, it’s only a matter of days or weeks. There isn’t a strong connection or bond between parent and child. Henry loves his uncle and aunt, his three cousins, his new life in Kansas. He worries that it will be years before he can try to find out more about his birth parents, his home country, the whys of how he came to be in this world...if he has to go back to Boston.

Henry and Henrietta seek to explore the cupboards more during these last weeks...but there are a few obstacles...

My thoughts: I found this a compelling fantasy. I greatly enjoyed revisiting the main characters, especially Uncle Frank, Henrietta and, of course, Henry. I may have loved this one even more than the first book. The writing style is delightful.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys. Lois Lowry. 2008. 174 pages. [Source: Library][j fiction]

First sentence: Once upon a time there was a family named Willoughby: an old-fashioned type of family, with four children.

Premise/plot: Tim, Barnaby A, Barnaby B, and Jane Star in this tongue in cheek tribute to children’s books of yesteryear. Four children realize that they are so old-fashioned that they should really be orphans. Two parents realize that one fairytale had the right idea: Hansel and Gretel. It’s a race of sorts to see who will dispose of the other first.

The parents end up hiring an odious nanny (she’s really a hoot!!!) and taking off on a world wide trip packed with dozens of perilous potentially fatal adventures. They plan to sell the house—leaving their kids homeless. If the house sells, the nanny is instructed to not pack the kids clothes—they could be sold to a secondhand shop. Fortunately the nanny takes a liking to these quirky, devious children.

The book contains their adventures and misadventures.

My thoughts: I absolutely loved it the first time I read it. But the second time was a little less delightful. Some of the humor didn’t hold up to a reread, even though it was twelve years later. I think adults who love, love, love children’s literature, especially older books and series will find it charming and punny. I think children who are a bit precocious in their reading choices—I think MATILDA would have loved it, for example—may find it equally a joy.

Tim, to be fair, is insufferable. The parents are wrong about so very much...but insufferable does sum up their firstborn. 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow Hears Things

Board book: Bow-Wow Hears Things. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2008. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Honk. No. Splash? No. Tick-tock? No.

Premise/plot: This one stars a little bird and Bow-Wow. It is a simple story doubling as a concept book teaching sounds. (But I think that is a far, far, far stretch of an imagination.) What sound should the bird be making?

My thoughts: This is a STRANGE board book. I've appreciated the other books in the Bow-Wow series. They've been short, simple, even very-very simple. Yet they've been funny too. This one is just bizarre. Of course, I am bringing my adult perspective to it. If I was a toddler would I find the idea of a bird going tick-tock hilarious? Maybe?!

If your little one has enjoyed the other books in the series then this one might be worth it as well. But don't start with this one. It might not be the best one to try out in terms of appeal.
 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites

Board book: Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites. Mark Newgarden. Illustrated by Megan Montague Cash. 2008. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Up. Down. In. Out. Over. Under.

Premise/plot: Bow-Wow starrs in several board books. This board book doubles as a concept book teaching opposites. But it is also a very simple--yet funny--story.

You don't have to use a lot of words to tell a good story--if you let the illustrations do the talking for you. In this one, Bow-Wow chases a cat.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I am not sure that it is my favorite Bow-Wow story but it's nice.

I really love the bright and bold illustrations.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story. Sam Lloyd. 2008. 32 pages. [Source: Library] (2007, UK)

First sentence: This is the story of a little girl called Emily and her dear cat, Mr. Pusskins. They thought life couldn't get any better. Then, one day, Emily announced that she had a fabulous surprise for Mr. Pusskins. He was very excited.

Premise/plot: Mr. Pusskins is home again. But does he stay happy and content? Or does he become an ungrateful grump when Emily introduces a new kitten into the house? Will Little Whiskers and Mr. Pusskins make friends? Or will Mr. Pusskins run away again?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I didn't love, love, love it as I did the first book. But I was very happy to see Mr. Pusskins star in another book. What I loved most about this one--and the other one, if I'm honest--was how expressive the illustrations are. The faces Mr. Pusskins makes are priceless. Forgiveness is also part of this second story.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

There Are Cats In This Book

There Are Cats In This Book. Viviane Schwarz. 2008. Candlewick. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The cats aren't on this page. The cats aren't on this page either. They're on the next page. They'd love to play with you. They're very friendly.

Premise/plot: In Viviane Schwarz's There Are Cats In This Book, readers meet three cats: Moonpie, Tiny, and Andre. These three cats want to play with YOU the reader. Will you play with them? (Please say yes!)

My thoughts: This picture book is interactive. It's addressed directly to readers. There are pages to turn and flaps to lift. For example:

Could you turn a whole page? Because there's YARN on the next page. LOOK! Hooray! You DO turn pages! Lovely tangly yarn. There's more! Quick, turn another page! Aaaaaah, LOTS of yaaarn. Throw me some.

This one would pair well with The Cat Book by Silvia Borando.

This is a fun book for parents and little ones to share.

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



© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Peedie

Peedie. Olivier Dunrea. 2004/2008. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 16 pages.

This is Peedie.
Peedie is a gosling.
A small, yellow gosling who sometimes forgets things.

Peedie may forget plenty of things--to eat all his food, to take a nap, to come in out of the rain. But he NEVER forgets to wear his lucky red baseball cap. Or almost never. Readers learn what happens when Peedie puts his special hat in a secret place. (I think secret places are like safe places. And you probably know how tricky those can be!) Can Peedie remember his secret place? Or is his lucky red cap gone for good?

I liked this one! I think this series is very fun, very playful.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl (#2)

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl (#2) Meg Cabot. 2008. Scholastic. 230 pages.

Mom didn't think I should wear a skirt with jeans on my first day at my new school.

Allie Finkle is nervous about her first day at a new school. True, she's already made a good friend, Erica, and met a few girls with good potential, Caroline and Sophie, but she's nervous all the same. Will the kids at Pine Heights Elementary like her? Or will they think she's weird? Will they want to be her friend? Or will they laugh at her?

The New Girl is all about the many changes going on in Allie Finkle's life. The changes going on at home and at school. It isn't easy getting along with two brothers--Mark and Kevin--especially when one of them insists on wearing a pirate costume after Halloween. And there's some tension in the house between Allie's mom and Dad. He's invited his mother to visit them a few weeks. Her mom is NOT happy. She's still unpacking, for one thing, and the house is far from being a cozy home. It's definitely still a work in progress. And Allie's grandmother, well, she's something else. (I really felt for Allie at Red Lobster--when her grandmother was criticizing her for not eating seafood.)

But while many things are changing, some things stay the same. Allie is still super-super excited about getting a kitten. But even that comes with a surprise or two!

I liked The New Girl. I am excited about continuing on in this series by Meg Cabot.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day (#1)

Cabot, Meg. 2008. Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day.

"I like rules. The reason why is, rules help make our lives easier. For instance, the rule about not killing people. Obviously, this is a good rule.
Another good rule is Everything that goes up must come down. This includes helium balloons. People don't know this, but you shouldn't let helium balloons loose outside, like at weddings or the Olympics or whatever, because what happens is eventually all the helium comes out and the balloons fall down, possibly in the ocean, and sea turtles eat them.
Then they choke to death.
So really that is two rules: Everything that goes up must come down and Don't let go of helium balloons outside.
Science has a lot of rules (like the one about gravity). So does math (like that five minus three will always be two. That is a rule).
That's why I like science and math. You know where you stand with them, rulewise.
What I'm not so crazy about is everything else. Because there are no rules for everything else.
There are no rules, for instance, for friendship. I mean, besides the one about Treat your friends the way you'd want them to treat you, which I've already broken about a million times. Like earlier today, when my best friend, Mary Kay Shiner, and I were making the strawberry frosting for her birthday cupcakes. (1-2)

Allie Finkle has lots of rules. Rules on how to live. But nothing has quite prepared her for the challenges ahead. You see, Allie Finkle is about to move across town and that changes everything. She's losing her best friend (for multiple reasons). She's losing her school. She's losing her room, her house, her neighborhood. And maybe just maybe it would be worth it all if only...if only the house where they're moving wasn't haunted, wasn't so spooky, so dark and uninviting and ugly. Allie, when she's honest, will admit that Mary Kay isn't a great best friend. She cries too much. That plus she will only play one boring game over and over day after day. And the thought of making a new best friend, a great best friend is tempting. So is the thought of a kitten. Her parents have promised--actually promised--to get her a pet of her very own, a kitten--if and only if she behaves during this transition. If she doesn't whine and complain and act out about how awful the move is. But there's one consistent concern as far as Allie is concerned, she knows that the new house has a zombie hand in the attic. She knows her family's life at risk--her mom and dad, her two younger brothers. So it's a definite dilemma. What's a nine year old girl to do?

I loved Allie. I loved her family. I loved how this one was written. Allie's voice is unique and wonderful and above all authentic.

I loved, loved, loved this book. And I can't wait to get to the second book in the series.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Cows Can't Jump

Cows Can't Jump by Dave Reisman. Illustrated by Jason A. Maas. 2008. Jumping Cow Press. 44 pages. 

Cows can't jump...
...but they can swim.
Gorillas can't swim...
...but they can swing.
Giraffes can't swing...
...but they can gallop.

I liked this one. I really liked it. I especially LOVED the illustrations. In Cows Can't Jump readers meet a wide variety of animals--snakes, lizards, kangaroos, elephants, cats, fish, ducks, etc. Each animal has something they can do--and do well--but not every animal can do everything well. Each animal is presented as having differences. These differences are celebrated throughout the book. I enjoyed the concept of this one. I thought it worked well. (Perhaps it is a little too long--depending on your audience, of course, it may not hold attention spans throughout the entire book--but for the most part I really liked it.) I think children could easily adapt this one and create their own  story based on this pattern.

You can read sample pages of this one at Jumping Cow Press.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Will Surprise My Friend

I Will Surprise My Friend: An Elephant and Piggie Book. Mo Willems. 2008. Hyperion. 64 pages.

Look!
Hee hee hee!
What are you doing?
I am going to surprise my friend! Shhh... Here she comes! Boo!
Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!
Hee hee hee!
Hee hee hee!

Inspired by two playful squirrels, Gerald and Piggie decide to "surprise" each other by the big rock. But things don't go quite they way they planned! Oh, they end up surprised. But not in the way they thought they would be. When Gerald can't find Piggie, and Piggie can't find Gerald, Gerald begins imagining the worst. He must save Piggie! Meanwhile Piggie is a little worried about Gerald. But. Thoughts of lunch interrupt!

I Will Surprise My Friend is a funny book. It is part of the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. I would definitely recommend this series!!!

Other books in the series:

Can I Play Too?
Elephants Cannot Dance
I Am Going
Pigs Make Me Sneeze
Watch Me Throw The Ball
Are You Ready to Play Outside
I Love My New Toy
I Am Invited to A Party
My Friend is Sad
Today I Will Fly
There Is A Bird On Your Head
We Are In A Book

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Goodnight Goon

Goodnight Goon. Michael Rex. 2008. Penguin. 32 pages.

Just in time for Halloween comes a monster-filled parody of a children's classic, Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Goon has it all--Martians, mummies, bats, werewolves, and much, much more. This book will make a great read aloud treat in October. And would definitely be a fun addition to school and classroom libraries everywhere. (This may just inspire a few more parodies of Goodnight Moon.)

In the cold gray tomb
There was a gravestone
And a black lagoon
And a picture of--
Martians taking over the moon
And there were three little mummies rubbing their tummies...



To find out what else there is...to eventually say goodnight to...in this parody, you'll need to track down a copy at your local bookstore or library and read it yourself.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Five Little Ducks

Five Little Ducks. Beth Harwood. Illustrated by Emma Dodd. 2008. Amazing Baby. 10 pages.

Five little ducks went out one day,
over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said,
Quack, quack, quack!
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks went out one day,
over the hill and far away...

I enjoyed this board book. It's predictable. It's repetitive. It's fun. It makes a great read aloud. If your little one loves ducks--loves hearing the quack, quack, quack--then I would definitely recommend this one!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers