Mr. Monkey Visits a School

Mr. Monkey Visits a School. Jeff Mack. 2018. Simon and Schuster. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Monkey learns a trick. Almost. He tries it again. And again. And again! He gets it! Now he's ready to put on a show!

Premise/plot: Mr. Monkey has been invited by a school librarian to visit the school. It's a good thing he's just learned a new trick. But performing a trick and learning a trick aren't quite the same thing. So many unexpected things happen--even before he arrives at the school. What kind of show will Mr. Monkey put on for the students?!

My thoughts: Jeff Mack has a new early reader series for young readers. The first two books are Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School. I really enjoyed both books. My library's "hold" sticker covered up the number on the spine, so I happened to read the two books out of order. Would I have enjoyed Mr. Monkey Visits a School more if I'd read the books in order? Maybe. I don't know. I definitely enjoyed it. Mr. Monkey--as I mentioned earlier--is a HOOT.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Mr. Monkey Bakes A Cake

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake. Jeff Mack. 2018. Simon and Schuster. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mr. Monkey makes a cake. He adds sugar. He adds an egg. He adds bananas. That's okay. Monkeys like bananas. Mr. Monkey mixes the cake. Mr. Monkey bakes the cake. Mr. Monkey frosts the cake. Good job, Mr. Monkey! Now you can eat your cake!

Premise/plot: Jeff Mack has a new early reader series for young readers. The first two books are Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School. In the first book, Mr. Monkey bakes a cake. But it isn't as simple as you might think: mix a cake, bake a cake, eat a cake, or share a cake with a friend. No this is a FUNNY story with plenty of twists and turns. Also plenty of BANANAS.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I read both books in one sitting. This was my favorite. I loved Mr. Monkey's comical adventures. He is a HOOT. Dare I say an absolute hoot?! 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Little Brown

Little Brown. Marla Frazee. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Little Brown was cranky. Probably because no one ever played with him. Or maybe no one ever played with him because he was cranky. At this point, it was hard to know.

Premise/plot: Little Brown is the star of this picture book. When the book opens he is cranky and lonely. When the book closes he is cranky and lonely. In between Little Brown and the other dogs--whose names we learn on the end pages--wonder about life's complexities.

Why doesn't Little Brown have friends? Does his crankiness keep the other dogs from liking him, playing with him, being his friends? Or is it his loneliness--his lack of friends and playmates--making him cranky? If the other dogs were his friends--if they took the first step--would he stop being cranky? What if he took the first step--would they reject him? Wouldn't that make him even crankier to be rejected?

Here is a line that got to me, "But Little Brown did nothing and did it alone."

My thoughts: The first time I read this book I was frustrated. I didn't want to think about the complexities of friendship--of life--and the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). I wanted a lesson tied up with a bow. I wanted Little Brown to return what he'd stolen. I wanted Little Brown to have been forgiven by the other dogs. I wanted Little Brown to have been accepted by the other dogs. I wanted him to make a friend. Or else I wanted another dog to step forward and make the first step of friendship. In short I wanted a happy ending--to be assured that even cranky, lonely people dogs are worthy of love and friendship. But that is not this story.

The second time I read this one I liked it better. I identified with it more. Who hasn't been Little Brown at some point? (Is Little Brown the dog version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day?!) Who hasn't experienced cranky days? Who hasn't experienced loneliness? The truth is that it is almost always scary to take that first step. I don't know that kindness is ever super-super easy. But. It is true that it easier to be a kind to someone who is "nice" and "friendly" and "cheerful." It is more difficult to be kind to someone who is "cranky" or "mean" or "sad" or "angry" or "lonely" or "bitter." The people who need our kindness the most can be the most difficult to reach out to.

"First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--"
"Sir?"
"--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, 30)

If there is a lesson in Little Brown, perhaps it's an interactive lesson in perception and empathy. When Little Brown is cranky what other emotions could he be feeling?

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Kindergarrrten Bus

Kindergarrrten Bus. Mike Ornstein. Illustrated by Kevin M. Barry. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ahoy, boy! What? It be ye first day of kindergarrrten? Well, don't worry, laddie--it be my first day as a bus driverrr! Climb aboard!

Premise/plot: What if your bus driver was a pirate? Such is the case in this humorous picture book about important firsts. It is his first day on the job--will he run the bus like it is a ship? It is the boy's first day of kindergarrrten--assuming that the bus makes it to the school. The bus driver may just inspire some courage to the boys and girls, and the boys and girls may just inspire some courage to the bus driver. For he loses his courage when his faithful parrot, Polly, flies out the window.

My thoughts: This was a fun read. I think it would make a great read aloud--especially if you can do voices.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Parade of Elephants

A Parade of Elephants. Kevin Henkes. 2018. HarperCollins. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look! Elephants! One, two, three, four, five. Five elephants. Marching. A parade of elephants! Big and round and round they are. Big and round and round they go.

Premise/plots: Does your little one love elephants? Kevin Henkes' A Parade of Elephants is a charmer. (At least this life-long elephant-lover found it to be so!) This picture book invites readers to spend the day with elephants. The book ends with a surprise: the elephants TRUMPET the stars up into the night sky.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I love, love, love elephants. This isn't a realistic elephant story. It's a fantastical one. The elephants are colorful: blue, yellow, purple, green, and pink. The text is more lyrical than factual. I love the ending.

And when the day is done, they are done, too.
They yawn and stretch. They stretch and yawn.
But before they sleep they lift their trunks...
and they trumpet--scattering stars across the sky.
Good night.

The illustrations are pastel and have a whimsical feel about them.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Wall in the Middle of the Book

The Wall in the Middle of the Book. Jon Agee. 2018. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There's a wall in the middle of the book. And it's a good thing. The wall protects this side of the book...from the other side of the book. This side of the book is safe. The other side is not.

Premise/plot: A knight is convinced that his side of the wall is safe...but is it really? Could the knights have his facts wrong?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It is a quirky--but fun--read. Adults may enjoy this one just as much--if not more--than children. I loved seeing the action unfold on both sides of the wall. The text is very understated, in my opinion. The illustrations were quite revealing. (Dare I say that one could "read" this one without being able to read the text?)

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Who Eats Orange?

Who Eats Orange. Dianne White. Illustrated by Robin Page. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who eats orange? Bunnies in their hutches do. Chickens in the henhouse too. Who else eats orange? Goats. Pigs. Gorillas too. Gorillas? No! Gorillas don't eat orange. They eat...

Premise/plot: This nonfiction concept book focuses on the colors various animals eat.

My thoughts: I picked this one up because of the awesome cover. It said--to me--READ ME, READ ME. I had high expectations because of the cover. The book didn't meet those high expectations, but that says more about me than the book itself. If you choose a book based solely on a cover without reading any reviews, then that's a risk you take--being disappointed.

So this one goes through a rainbow of colors. White chooses a few animals to highlight per color. My slight issue with the book--again this says more about me--is that animals rarely eat just one color. So while bunnies do eat orange carrots--they eat plenty of other vegetables that are not orange. You could just as easily list them under green. I read the notes on each animal, and more often than not, the animals eat a rainbow of colors. It just seems arbitrary to me to assign one color per animal.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Bath! Bath! Bath!

Bath! Bath! Bath! Douglas Florian. Illustrated by Christiane Engel. 2018. 18 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Today we had such fun! fun! fun! But now the day is done! done! done! You're so full of dirt! dirt! dirt! Take off your pants and shirt! shirt! shirt!

Premise/plot: Who's ready for BATH TIME?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I wish my library had Douglas Florian's Play! Play! Play! I'd love to compare these two. If the children in Bath! Bath! Bath! are the same children in Play! Play! Play! I bet they play hard. These kids are happy and filthy--absolutely filthy. The good news is that bath time is an extension of play time as far as they are concerned. Baths are FUN.




© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Don't Wake the Tiger!

Changing Faces: Don't Wake the Tiger. Nathan Thoms. Illustrated by Carles Ballesteros. 2018. Abrams. 18 pages. [Source: Review copy]

 First sentence: Oh no! You woke the tiger! Quick, turn the page...Shhh...Don't wake the panda!

Premise/plot: Little ones "wake" up animals in this cute, new interactive board book. The turning of the pages opens the closed eyes of the animal. The animals readers wake up are the tiger, the panda, the lion, and the elephant.

My thoughts: If your little one LOVED Meet Happy Bear, then Don't Wake the Tiger! might be a great addition to your home library. I personally love Meet Happy Bear more. In my opinion it had more story to it. The changing faces is still fun in Don't Wake the Tiger, but there is definitely less story.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Good Rosie

Good Rosie. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 2018. Candlewick Press. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Rosie lives with George. Rosie is a good dog. Every morning, Rosie and George eat breakfast together. George has two poached eggs. Rosie eats kibble from a big silver bowl.  When the bowl is empty, Rosie can see another dog staring back at her. "Hello!" says Rosie. Ruff! "Hello?" says Rosie. The other dog never answers. That makes Rosie feel lonely.

Premise/plot: Will Rosie make a friend? Will Rosie make two friends? Essentially that is the plot of Good Rosie! Will this shy dog be brave enough to make friends with the other dogs at the local dog park. At first Rosie is not a fan. Why did her person, George, bring her here?! Why doesn't George understand that she is NOT happy and wants to go back home?! Will Rosie learn how to make friends?

My thoughts: I like this one. The dog park is a bit intimidating. Rosie is a lot braver than I would be in her situation. For Rosie to witness what she did and to forgive Maurice and be his friend is something. (Maurice is a giant of a dog.) Same goes with Fifi/Fif. Perhaps this says something about the nature of dogs? I'm not sure.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise. David Ezra Stein. 2018. Candlewick. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was after school for the little red chicken. "Well, Chicken," said Papa, "did you have a good day at school?" "Yes, Papa! And today my teacher told us every story has an elephant of surprise. So let's read a story, and we'll find the elephant." "Chicken, she wasn't talking about an elephant. She was talking about an element of surprise.

Premise/plot: The Interrupting Chicken is back for a second book. In this picture book sequel, Papa is trying to teach his daughter, Chicken, about the ELEMENT of surprise. He reads her three stories: The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid. There are no elephants in those stories. Or are there?! Will Chicken introduce ELEPHANTS to these classic fairy tales?!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I didn't know how much I NEEDED a sequel until I saw this was being released. I don't know that I've ever put myself on the hold list so fast for a book.

This picture book did not disappoint. I loved every page of it. It was just a fabulous read. I adore Chicken and her Papa. I love their relationship. I love their dialogue. There is just something funny and sweet about these two.

I loved the illustrations. I enjoyed Chicken's illustrations for Papa's original story as well. Both text and illustrations are ADORABLE.

Once there was a Papa whose daughter LOVED elephants. And she thought she saw them everywhere. But there were no elephants! Every day, he got her dressed, but there were no elephants in the dresser. Every day, he fixed her breakfast, but there were no elephants in the refrigerator. And every day, he packed her off to--

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Am Human

I Am Human. Susan Verde. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. 2018. Abrams. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am Human. I am always learning. I'm finding my way and choosing my path on this incredible journey. I have BIG dreams. I see possibility. I have endless curiosity. I make discoveries. I have a feeling of wonder. I am amazed by nature. I have a playful side. I find joy in friendships. I am Human.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get.

What does it mean to be human? That is the question tackled in Susan Verde's newest picture book. It is very much a message-driven book. When a book's message is especially well-received, readers--critics--praise it. Otherwise message-driven books are called didactic.

The book is a good reminder that all books--even picture books--have a world view.

My thoughts: If I could unread the author's note, I might have a more open mind. But I can't. The author's note is a "guided meditation." Will children read the author's note? Will parents? Will teachers? How important is the author's note to the text as a whole? I can't answer all those questions. Obviously.

I was bothered by the capital H. This may or may not be Significant to the Message. I'm assuming it is. On the one hand, I suppose "Human" could be the proper name of narrator. There is no hidden-meaning or significance. On the other hand, it could be making a statement--spiritual, psychological, or philosophical.

I admit this could be an overreaction but. It felt like humanity was being elevated to deity, to God. I am Human. I am the Center of the Universe. I answer to no higher power. I define my own meaning; I make my own place in the universe. I am who I say I am. The book screams humanism. I read an article on humanistic psychology and it captured the message of the book perfectly.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10



© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stealing the Sword (Time Jumpers #1)

Stealing the Sword. Time Jumpers #1. Wendy Mass. Illustrated by Oriol Vidal. 2018. Scholastic. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Sold!" Chase shouts. His younger sister, Ava, hands the cat sculpture to their latest happy customer.

Premise/plot: Chase and Ava are a brother and sister about to embark on quite an adventure. It starts at a flea market when they chance upon an old suitcase. The owner is reluctant because it's a locked case--she doesn't have the key--but when the case opens, as if by magic, for the kids, it soon has a new owner after all. The contents of the case are unusual without a doubt. The two soon find themselves traveling back in time....

My thoughts: Ava and Chase love history AND adventure so they are quite excited that this case found them.

I definitely liked this one. I like time travel stories. I would recommend this one easily--to children. Adults seeking time travel stories should probably look elsewhere. But for adult readers who love, love, love time travel and can't wait to introduce the genre to the children in their lives (their own children, nieces, nephews, etc.), it's worth considering.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sloth at the Zoom

Sloth at the Zoom. Helaine Becker. Illustrated by Orbie. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One bright day, a truck whizzed up to the front gate of the Zoom. There was a new animal being delivered. It was a sloth.

Premise/plot: The sloth was supposed to be delivered to the Zzzzoo. Instead the sloth is delivered to the ZOOM. She was looking forward to all the REST and RELAXATION promised to her at the Zzzzoo. She'll have some adapting to do. Her animal neighbors at the Zoom are....well, zoom-y.

At the Zoom, the zebras galloped so fast they left their stripes in puddles.
The monkeys climbed so fast they forgot to stop at the treetops.
And the parrots flew so fast their tails drew rainbows across the sky.

Will she ever make friends? Yes. But in her own time and in her own way.

My thoughts: I'm not sure if I'd rather visit a Zzzzoo where all the animals are sleeping or the Zoom where all the animals are crazy-busy-fast. The residents in this town--as evidenced by the end papers--don't have to choose. They have both.

I really enjoyed this one. I did. I enjoyed the writing style. The narrative was fun. I liked all the plays on words. I liked the theme of friendship as well. It does take time to make friends and to keep them. But friendship is worth slowing down for.

I loved, loved, LOVED the illustrations.

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





© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Itchy Book

The Itchy Book (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading) LeUyen Pham and Mo Willems. 2018. Hyperion. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Dinosaurs do not scratch." Who knew?

Premise/plot: The Itchy Book is an early reader in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series. Each book in the series opens and closes with a few pages of Gerald and Piggie.

Gerald! Do you like books that make you feel things?
I do.
Do you like books that make you feel things all over?
I DO!
Then I have a book for YOU!
"The Itchy Book"?
I feel you will love it!

The Itchy Book stars dinosaurs who really feel the need to scratch an itch...but...a sign reading, "DINOSAURS DO NOT SCRATCH" is holding them back. But for how long?! One dinosaur is insistent that HE would never scratch no matter how itchy he felt. The others are out to get him to see if he is really as "tough" as he claims.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I think my favorite part was when one of the dinosaurs asks, "If I say I am not a dinosaur, can I scratch?!" Did the book make me feel itchy? Not particularly. I think a book about yawning would work better perhaps. I almost always catch a yawn.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10



© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour

Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour. Laura Krauss Melmed. Illustrated by Sarita Rich. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We're home! Thud go our backpacks on the front hall floor. Daddy starts cooking, while I run around like a super hero yelling, KAPOW! and Mommy feeds the baby.

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates family life. A little boy LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the "magic hour" of the evening in which he gets to have alone time with his dad. After supper, the two go on an evening walk. Though this book just gives us one excursion, it is the ritual or tradition that comes through.

My thoughts: Love in action. That is what this picture book celebrates. It would be a shame if it only came out for Father's Day.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stop, Go, Yes, No!

 Stop, Go, Yes, No! A Story of Opposites. Mike Twohy. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Asleep
Awake
Over
Under
Smile
Frown

Premise/plot: A cat and dog star in Mike Twohy's latest picture book. Though this picture book doesn't have even one complete sentence, it does in fact have a story. Each page has a single word. Pre-readers could easily "tell" the story without having to read a single word.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I have not read Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run: An Alphabet Caper. But I do have it on hold now. That picture book appears to star the same exuberant dog. There is something joyful, exuberant, lively, spirited, just plain old-fashioned FUN about the story.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Fiona the Hippo

Fiona the Hippo. Richard Cowdrey. 2018. Zonderkidz. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On a cold winter's night, a baby hippo was born.

Premise/plot: This picture book is loosely based on a true story. It is the story of a premature hippo named Fiona who lives at the Cincinnati Zoo. The perspective is not from the zookeepers but from Fiona herself and other animals at the zoo. There is a LOT of dialogue. I would recommend Saving Fiona by Thane Maynard instead because it is more factual and realistic. It is also packed with photographs.

My thoughts: If you enjoy stories where animals at the zoo run free from their cages, where all animals are best good buddies, where animals talk to one another, then this is the book for you. Here is where I stand: I don't mind animal fantasy I don't. I really don't. Give me a picture book with talking animals, animals in clothes, animals going to school or having their tonsils out, I'm fine with it. It is clearly a story. But because Fiona is real and this is based--however loosely--on a true story, I'm bothered by it.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Lit for Little Hands: Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland (Lit for Little Hands). Lewis Carroll and Brooke Jordan. Illustrated by David Miles. 2018. 16 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One fine day, Alice saw a White Rabbit checking his pocket watch. Curious, she followed the rabbit down a deep, deep hole and found herself in wonderland.

Premise/plot: This one is part of the Lit for Little Hands series. Brooke Jordan has adapted Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for young readers. This is an interactive board book. The interaction starts with the cover. Notice the arrow on the top. Alice can grow! And that's just the start. The next page has her falling down, down, down the rabbit hole. But my favorite may just be the spinning wheel for the caucus-race. There is a surprise on almost every single page of this one making for a WONDERful read.

My thoughts: I love and adore this one. I was skeptical at first. Could a book be adapted down to a new, much younger audience? I'm not sure how little ones will respond--but if I'd let myself get carried away, I might have squealed in a couple of places. It's just a fun and delightful read.

Granted I may be a little biased. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite books. As the youngest in my family, I often got to hear books twice. Once when she was reading them aloud to my sister and I was super-tiny, and again when I was "old enough." (For example, when my sister was three and I was a newborn, and then when I was three.)

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board books: Nita's First Signs

Nita's First Signs. Kathy MacMillan. Illustrated by Sara Brezzi. 2018. 12 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Nita is in her high chair eating crackers. Nita likes crackers. All done? Daddy signs. Eat more, signs Nita.

Premise/plot: This board book is designed to teach caregivers and their little ones ten signs that they can use to communicate with one another. The ten signs included are: all done, eat, more, please, thank you, hungry, milk, ball, play, and love. The board book has sliding pages which reveal the signs and give a description.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I'm not sure why Nita has blue hair--but other than that I liked it just fine! Parents can learn more about American Sign Language by visiting the author's website. There is a YouTube video of the author teaching these ten signs. 

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers