58-59. Two Jonathan Fenske Picture Books

58. After Squidnight. Jonathan Fenske. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]

First sentence: The sky is black.
The clouds are inky.
The salty air
is still and stinky.
You're snug in bed.
You're softly sleeping...
...while to your house
the squids are creeping.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
Midnight sounds.
At the beach,
the ocean pounds.
And from the surf
a suckered hand
drags itself
onto the sand.

Premise/plot: After Squidnight is a quirky rhyming book by Jonathan Fenske. After midnight, sneaky squid come into a child's house and make a TREMENDOUS mess. But the child's parents, well, they are less convinced that it was the work of squids and not the kid.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I do. It's quirky. It's weird. It's got the BEST rhythm and rhyme. It is just a JOY to read if that is your thing. I happen to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a great rhyming book....and well, I don't have kind thoughts to those that get it wrong. Jonathan Fenske is a favorite of mine. I also love and appreciate the DESCRIPTIVE narrative. And the illustrations are very atmospheric.





59. A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Were Riding a Bicycle. Jonathan Fenske. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark were riding a bicycle.

Premise/plot: The unicorn, dinosaur, and shark spend most of the book arguing with the narrator of the book. This is much like the first book in this strange series. In this one, the narrator is trying to convince the three that they want to ride a bicycle. They do not. They want to do all the relaxing. Will these three end up riding a bicycle by the end of the book????

My thoughts: It was decent. I feel that there's a certain type of reader who will love the 'rebellious' and 'argumentative' nature of seeing the characters in the book talk back to the narrator/author. It is very silly and ridiculous for characters to be self-aware. But once you get over the novelty of that (and many other picture books have done the same), it becomes a bit dull--I would say probably more so for adult readers. It was definitely okay.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

73-74. A biography and "biography"

73. The Story of Jim Henson. Stacia Deutsch. 2021. 70 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jim Henson was 13 years old when he saw his first television show.

A early chapter book biography of the legendary Jim Henson. It is a biography that covers his whole life focusing mostly on his career and legacy. It isn't just the story of Sesame Street or the Muppet Show. 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed the illustrations. It was great for nostalgia. I don't know that I learned anything as an adult reader. (I grew up watching many though not all of Henson's works). I think for the target audience it would be a good--though basic--introduction. I do love the inclusion of Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Though it would have been awesome to see the inclusion of the BEST Christmas production that he did--The Muppet Family Christmas (1987). 

74. What is the Story of Captain Picard? David Stabler. 2023. 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On the evening of September 28, 1987, Star Trek fans all over the world turned on their TV sets with great anticipation.

Is it a biography? Not really. Only a little. It is the story of Star Trek's Captain Picard. It explains a little bit about Star Trek and the fandom, the restart of the series in the "next generation," and provides a fictional biography of Captain Picard. But it also does give a tiny biography of the actor who played Picard, Patrick Stewart, as well as the tiniest biography of Star Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry. 

My thoughts: Is this one necessary? Probably not. Is it fun? A little. I do remember watching Star Trek the Next Generation as it aired [for the first time.] I have very fond memories of watching the show. I did read Patrick Stewart's memoir earlier this year.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

50-53. Board Book Parade

50. Butts. Katrine Crow. [Board book] 2020. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who has a fluffy butt like this? A bunny! Who has a feathery butt like this? A chicken!

This is an admittedly silly and playful book featuring photographs of animal butts. There are a series of questions and answers--the question shows the back side, the answer the front side. 

I really LOVED some of these photos. Some of the photos are so incredibly cute and adorable. I think this would be a fun book to read aloud to a little one. 

51. Bellies. Katrine Crow. [Board book] 2020. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who has a furry belly like this? A lynx! Who has a wet belly like this? A sea turtle! 

I'm not sure if Bellies or Butts was published first. But these two are good companions, and, of course, they are by the same author. This one features photographs of animal bellies. Again, a series of questions and answers. 

I really enjoyed some of the photographs. I do think the answers are perhaps not quite as obvious in this one. Lynx bellies, Bengal bellies, they don't look all that different from any/every cat. Both books--both Butts and Bellies--feature a range of animals. 

52. Counting Our Blessings. Emma Dodd. [Board book] 2020. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We're counting our blessings one by one. How many will there be? Let's count together, just us two, and very soon we'll see.

Two dogs count their blessings in Emma Dodd's newest board book. The illustrated dogs--parent and pup--are SUPER, SUPER, SUPER, SUPER adorable. The text itself--written in rhyme--is serviceable. Nothing objectionable about it, perhaps a tiny bit bland, but it gets the job done. It celebrates an attitude of gratitude AND counts to ten. 

53. (Little Chunkies) Animals in the Forest. DK Publishing. 2023. [Board book] 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The bees swarm around the nest. The bear wakes up from its afternoon rest. The wolf howls at the glowing moon. The birds sing their pretty tune. 

I was disappointed. Despite it saying this is a "touch and discover" book, there are no touch and feel elements. There are cut-outs, but holes aren't a touch and feel element. There are raised elements, but cardboard in and of itself is not a touch and feel element. The holes might make for an amusing way to turn pages for little hands. Raised elements may or may not catch the eyes and keep attention. But this is hardly an interactive board book.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

271. Horace and Bunwinkle

Horace and Bunwinkle. PJ Gardner. 2020. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [Animal fantasy; early chapter book mystery series]

First sentence: Horace Homer Higgins III was gravely ill. His head throbbed. His stomach ached. And his sniffer was clogged. This happened every time he rode in the car.

Premise/plot: Sometimes a cover can 'sell' a book. This cover just screams out read me, read me. The premise is simple: Horace, a Boston Terrier, teams up with a potbellied pig, Bunwinkle, to solve mysteries on the farm and surrounding neighborhood. Animals are going missing. Horace is new to the country and farm life. Bunwinkle is new to the family and the farm--having just been separated from her mother and siblings. 

My thoughts: I liked it. I really found the cover appealing. I was excited to check this one out from the library. I was so convinced that I was going to love this series that I checked out all the books at once. I'm not sure I have any interest in reading more. It was entertaining enough, cute enough. But there wasn't much plot--at least in my opinion. Maybe others in the series would have more plot since the characters won't be new and needing to be established.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

240-242. Miscellaneous Parade

240. The Horseback Librarians. Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. 2023. [April] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book] [Fiction based on true story] 

First sentence: The sun is barely poking its head over the horizon. A young woman on a tan horse called Sand, saddlebags packed full of surprises, has already begun her rounds. She is delivering books to readers in the backwoods of Kentucky.

Premise/plot: Anna Mary (rhymes with library) delivers books in the Appalachian mountains during the Great Depression. The book follows her journey over the course of several days. She makes one or two stops per day in this book. Her last stop is a schoolhouse. 

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I didn't quite. Readers are reminded a million times--okay probably six times--that Anna Mary rhymes with library. She brings books to individual families; she's more than someone who delivers books: she's a family friend. She chats, visits, reads aloud, shares meals, etc. She also seems to bring books to a schoolhouse. The book keeps things very simple and not all that detailed. It might be serviceable as an introduction, but it won't satisfy those who actually want to know more about this program. Not much context is given in the actual story though there is an author's note.

The illustrations are very bright and colorful.

241. Fox in Winter. Corery R. Tabor. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Early reader]

First sentence:  Fox does not like winter. In winter, Elephant and the Birds go south. 

Premise/plot: Fox does not like being all alone in the winter. He misses his friends. Can he scheme a way to bring them back? Can he fight winter and win? Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps he can find something to like about winter....if he looks hard enough.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one so much. It was such a fun read. The illustrations were hilarious (in my opinion). I loved the idea of him fighting winter.

242. Feeding the Ducks with Lily and Milo. Pauline Oud. 2023. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book/board book]

First sentence: Lily and Milo are going to feed ducks in the park. Before they go outside, they put on their coats. There are two coats: a purple coat with flowers and a little orange coat. Which coat is Lily's? And which one is Milo's?

Premise/plot: Lily and Milo are friends. This is apparently the latest in a long-running series starring these two animals. In this adventure, they will feed the ducks...or will they??? The text is 'interactive.' The text has scripted-in questions for little ones to answer. Of course plenty of other books allow for questions and answers, but this one is more scripted. (I couldn't help hearing the narrative in the voice of the narrator of Peppa Pig).

My thoughts: This is neither a board book or a picture book. The pages aren't a sturdy cardboard (like a board book), but they aren't paper either. They are VERY thick paper. So if your little one has "outgrown" board books yet doesn't seem quite ready for traditional picture books, perhaps this is perfect for you.

Readers do need to pay careful attention to the illustrations. I needed to read this one twice because I was lazy the first time around. Apparently. Parents can either let readers be completely surprised by the twist ending and then come back to hunt for clues, or, they can build in questions of their own the first time through. Do you see what I see? What is Milo doing? Should he be doing that? 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

169. Extraordinary Warren's World

Extraordinary Warren's World. (Previously published as Extraordinary Warren and Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day) Sarah Dillard. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Once there was a chicken. Just an ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill chicken. He lived in a little barnyard on a quiet farm. His name was Warren.

Premise/plot: Warren is a chicken who does not want to be ordinary. However, in his quest to be extraordinary--or supreme, as the case may be--he's a bit gullible and naive. Will Warren (and the other chicks and chickens) be safe in the barnyard? 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this early graphic novel chapter book. Did I love, love, love it? Maybe not that enthusiastically. But I enjoyed it--solidly. I don't regret my time. I liked getting to know Warren and Egg. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

98. Newton & Curie: The Science Squirrels

Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels. Daniel Kirk. 2020. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Newton was sitting under a tree when an apple bounced off his head. 

Premise/plot: Newton, a squirrel, becomes fascinated with how the world works [aka science] after an apple falls on his head. Curie, his sister, is perhaps less fascinated but she is super playful. [She likes the end results.] These two squirrels observe the humans, in particular he observes the nearby SCHOOL (and playground). He takes advantage of proximity and learns (not without some failures). This one focuses on simple machines. 

My thoughts: I was looking for an "N" title for my Alphabet Soup Challenge. This science-themed picture book stars two adorable squirrels. It definitely packs a few science lessons into the main story narrative. There's even a glossary at the back of the book. It was cute to see science-in-action since it was squirrel-sized science. (Newton figures out how to make a squirrel-sized seesaw and a squirrel-sized swing.)

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

73. The Summer We Found the Baby

The Summer We Found The Baby. Amy Hest. 2020. 192 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I'm the one who found her. A real, live baby girl and I saw her first. I saw the basket. Right over there, on the steps of the new children's library. A tiny little baby! All by herself in that basket! She was so brave, though. She wasn't even crying. I just wanted to hold her awhile. I didn't mean to take the baby.

Premise/plot: This children's book is set during the Second World War. It opens on a summer day--August 31. Three children (Julie and Martha Sweet, and their neighbor, Bruno Ben-Eli) find a baby in a basket on the steps of the [new] children's library. Each chapter features narration by all three--Julie, Martha, Bruno. Each chapter reveals details fleshing out their story. Everything leads to the big day--August 31. As you might have guessed, this one is not a linear or chronological story. Readers learn about the characters, the story, the setting--slowly but surely. 

My thoughts: I really loved this one! I did. There were a few [subtle] moments of sadness. But nothing overwhelming or heavy. Observant readers can read behind the lines as to how the characters might be feeling. It has a great premise--children finding an 'abandoned' baby on the steps to the public library. It has dimensional characters--I really loved getting to know all three protagonists. I loved the complex relationships. Readers learn relatively early on that Bruno and Julie have fallen out; they were friends once, but no more. I love how human all these characters are. I felt empathy for all three.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

14. The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Bob. Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Patricia Castelao.  2020. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look, nobody's ever accused me of being a good dog. I bark at empty air. I eat cat litter. I roll in garbage to enhance my aroma. I harass innocent squirrels. I hog the couch. I lick myself in the presence of company. I'm no saint, okay?

The One and Only Bob is a sequel to Katherine Applegate's One and Only Ivan. Is it a sequel or more of a companion novel? Definitely a sequel. The novel opens with Bob living with his new family (George, Sara, Julia), and Ivan (the gorilla) and Ruby (the elephant) in their new homes at the local zoo. There are flashbacks--of sorts--to their time living together at the mall (as well as other flashbacks). 

The One and Only Bob has enough action for ten books. (I jest, mostly). You could argue that The One and Only Ivan was a character-driven, contemplative/reflective story with tons of heart. The One and Only Bob doesn't lack any in the character department. It doesn't. (There are new characters introduced too). And it certainly has HEART. (It is all the feels all at once.) But the action is INTENSE. Now take what you're imagining and magnify by about five. For 98% of this one expect to have your stomach in knots and an ache in your heart. 

So a storm is coming...and it's a BIG storm. It will catch all the characters--especially the animals, but also the humans--a bit unprepared. 

I really LOVED this one. It is a love in a different way. It complements One and Only Ivan. It does. But the intensity of the action is something that I could NEVER have handled in a million years as a kid. Bravo to those who can read it without becoming a total wreck. And the ending is 1000% worth it. It is a GREAT book. But oh the journey for these characters!!!!!

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

206. Lily to the Rescue: Dog, Dog, Goose

Lily to the Rescue: Dog, Dog, Goose. W. Bruce Cameron. 2020. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am a dog, and my name is Lily. I have a girl, and her name is Maggie Rose.

Premise/plot: This is the fourth book in W. Bruce Cameron's Lily to the Rescue early chapter book series for young readers. Lily is a working dog. He goes with Maggie Rose's mom to 'work' at the animal shelter. He has a special gift with working with ALL sorts of animals--often time stressed animals. In this one, for example, he's "working" with BABY geese that have been abandoned. Maggie Rose doesn't know that by introducing Lily to the geese, that they will "imprint" and think that Lily is their actual mom. So that's one story line. The other is with Maggie Rose's siblings. One of her brothers has bonded with the oldest dog at the shelter....will the family be bringing home another dog?????

My thoughts: I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one so much. It may just be my favorite so far. I loved both stories so much. I love seeing Lily as a mama to these geese. So very adorable. I also liked getting to know Maggie Rose's brother(s) better. These three have really come along way since book one. (I remember they used to tease her more than they do now.)

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

180. Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us

Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us. Lauren Castillo. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sometimes you make a friend and it feels like you have known that friend your entire life. Hedgehog, Mutty, Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen and Chicks, and me, Annika Mae. You might think it has always been this way, but it has not. There was a series of events that brought us all together. This is our friendship story. This is the story of us.

Premise/plot: What you see is EXACTLY what you get. This is the story of how Hedgehog's friendship circle expands beyond a stuffed animal [Mutty]. It begins--as many stories do--with a storm. When the storm "steals" Mutty away, Hedgehog sets off on a quest to find her best [and only] friend. Along the way, she'll encounter Mole, Owl, Beaver, a Hen [and her Chicks] and Annika Mae. 

My thoughts: I love, love, crazy love the illustrations. If this cover doesn't shout read me, read me, I don't know what does. The illustrations are so super-sweet and adorable. The story is packed with adventures. Hedgehog is determined on her quest. And it turns out others are kind, welcoming, and helpful. I love that Hedgehog's family expands.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

177. Lily to the Rescue: The Not So Stinky Skunk

The Not So Stinky Skunk (Lily to the Rescue #3) W. Bruce Cameron. 2020. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Lily, Lily, Lily!" Maggie Rose said to me. "We're going camping, Lily!" Maggie Rose is my girl, and I am her dog. When she is happy, I am very happy. When she is excited, I am very excited. She was obviously excited and happy at this moment, so I jumped up to put my feet on her knees and then dropped down to run in circles around the kitchen. Whatever was going on, it was the best!

Premise/plot: Maggie Rose and her dad are going on a special father-daughter camping trip (and bringing Lily, of course). He'll be working, in part, relocating prairie dogs. But this qualifies as quality family time as well. On the trip, Lily encounters a not-stinky skunk. She is NOT sprayed. The dad realizes this skunk needs help because without the ability to spray the skunk will be helpless when it comes to defense. So with a little help from Lily they rescue the skunk and take her to a safe place.

My thoughts: I really love Lily. I do. I love the narrative voice of Lily in these early chapter books. (Animal fantasy if you want to be super specific). I love seeing the world through a dog's perspective. Lily is super cute and adorable.

I definitely recommend the series as a whole. This would be a great series to read with your young readers.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

159. Snail's Silly Adventures

Snail's Silly Adventures. Mary Peterson. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Snail lived in a bucket.

Snail's Silly Adventures combines two previously published early chapter book graphic novels. (Snail Has Lunch; Snail Finds a Home). Snail loves, loves, loves, loves his bucket. And he loves his bucket-life. True, he never leaves his bucket, but that is just fine with him. Ladybug, his only visitor, keeps urging him--kindly, gently, firmly--to expand his horizons beyond the bucket. But it takes a little more nudging from fate to get Snail out of his bucket....

Once out of his bucket, Snail has two adventures. 

I loved this one. It was a recommendation from my sister. I thought this was a great read. It is something that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own, but something I am so glad that I read. Definitely recommended.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

154. How To Build An Orchestra

How To Build An Orchestra. Mary Auld. Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. 2020. [October] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is Simon. Simon loves music. He loves to listen to it, and loves to make it. Sometimes Simon hums to himself, sometimes he sings and occasionally he whistles. But that really isn't enough for him--he wants to share music with everyone. That's why he is a conductor. A conductor is the person who leads an orchestra.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. The premise of this one is that Simon, the conductor, is holding auditions for the London Symphony Orchestra. The readers "listen in" on these auditions and subsequently have the opportunity to learn all about how to build an orchestra. 

My thoughts: Packed with facts--that's how I'd describe this one. The story is very loosely structured. The story holds up, I suppose, to a certain degree. But plenty will be able to guess this is just a "fun" way to teach young(er) readers to orchestra and orchestral music. I appreciate the layout and organization of this one. It is so structured. There are facts here, there, and everywhere. I'm definitely leaning towards this one being for older readers (upper elementary school).

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

147. The Year of Miss Agnes

The Year of Miss Agnes. Kirkpatrick Hill. 2000/2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "What will happen now?" I asked Mamma as we watched the plane take the teacher away. 

Premise/plot: Fred (Frederika) is skeptical that the new teacher will last long. Life in their small Alaskan village is too rough and tough on most teachers. But their small village has enough students--the minimum is six--for a school to be established if only they can get a teacher to come...to come and stay. Their last teacher didn't last long at all. But this teacher, Agnes Sutterfield, is all kinds of wonderful. Different in every way that matters, that counts. For the first time, the students feel their teacher has invested in them. But will she stay? That one question drives the narrative forward. 

Historical fiction set in Alaska in 1948/1949. This is a one-room school house in a small village.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I enjoy historical fiction novels. (That is probably obvious by now). I love teaching stories. (I do.) This one was solidly good. If I had one complaint--and I suppose I do--it was just a little too short. It's like we get in-depth coverage of her first week or two of school and then super-super-super fast forward to the last day of school. When we only had two or three pages left of the novel and the story still hadn't come to any satisfying conclusion, I was VERY WORRIED. But it got there just in time. Barely. Another fifty to seventy-five pages and this one would have been A++++++. 

I really loved the inclusion of Bokko, Fred's sister, who is deaf. I loved how Miss Agnes taught her as well and got the whole town excited about including her.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

138. Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies

Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies (Lily #2) W. Bruce Cameron. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Snow had melted, the birds were in the trees, and I was in the backyard playing ball with my girl, Maggie Rose, her older brother Bryan, and her even older brother Craig.

Premise/plot: Lily's family goes to the rescue yet again in this installment of the series. This time, the family is responding to a call reporting PIGLETS found at a truck stop. With Lily's help, her family may just make it through this fostering experience. 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one as I was reading it. Lily and her human family are so delightful that I wouldn't mind a hundred books. Even if they were all mainly same-same. Find an animal. Rescue an animal. Have Lily help out. Rescued animal finds a new home. The narrative style is so super cute and adorable. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

133. Charlie and Mouse Outdoors

Charlie and Mouse Outdoors. (Charlie and Mouse #4) Laurel Snyder. 2020. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Charlie was in the car. Mouse was in the car. Charlie and Mouse were in the car. "This is boring," said Charlie. "Why don't you make up a story," said Dad. "Stories aren't boring." 

Premise/plot: The family is out for an outdoors adventure. There are four interconnected stories: "Boring" (about the car trip there), "The Hike" (about an adventure/misadventure they have in the "great outdoors), "Kittens" (an adorable story about how they un-scare themselves from their previous hike), "The fire" (about a family celebration WITH s'mores). 

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, crazy love these characters. This is their fourth book of adventures. I love Charlie. I love Mouse. I love them both together. These two make my day. This one is about their camping adventures with the family. Highly recommend the whole series.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

132. I Can't Feel My Feet (Trouble at Table 5 #4)

I Can't Feel My Feet (Trouble at Table 5 #4) Tom Watson. 2020. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was Friday. It was cold. Super cold. 

Premise/plot: Rosie, Molly, and Simon are back for their fourth adventure. These three friends (all of whom sit at table five in their classroom) are teaming up to solve (yet another) problem. The weather is about to turn (even) cold(er). These three want to figure out a way for them all to keep warm on their walk to school. And maybe just maybe science can help them do just that. These three are about to learn all about friction.

My thoughts: I personally enjoyed the first three more than this latest addition to the series. But I do like the series as a whole. I'm not sure the effort it took all weekend and early in the morning would actually actually be worth it. But that could just be me. It does make sense for their personalities.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

120. Lily to the Rescue

Lily to the Rescue (Lily to the Rescue #1) W. Bruce Cameron. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My name is Lily, and I have a lot of friends. My best friend of all, of course, is Maggie Rose. In the nighttime, I sleep on Maggie Rose's bed, pressed up against her warm legs. I get to lie there until Mom or Dad pokes a head in the doorway and says the word school. Maggie Rose will groan a little, and then she climbs slowly out of bed and puts on her clothes and goes into the kitchen for breakfast with her brothers. While she's changing clothes, I lie on the bed, missing her legs and trying to show her that we would all be happier if she just climbed back under the covers. But she never does that on days people say school. I don't know why. I think school must be a place....

Premise/plot: Lily, our dog protagonist, loves, loves, loves her life. At home she's surrounded by her people. At work she's surrounded by animals. Maggie Rose's mother is a veterinarian at an animal shelter. Lily helps out at the animal shelter...

In this first adventure, Lily is helping out a crow (named Casey) with a broken wing...

My thoughts: Animal fantasy is nothing new for young readers. But surely they can't all be as delightful as Lily to the Rescue????? I definitely enjoyed her voice and point of view. It was cute without being nauseatingly so. (At least in my opinion.) The book was just a joy to read from start to finish.

Highly recommended and no need to worry...even though there is a dog on the cover.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

114. Board Book: This Is My Daddy

This Is My Daddy. Mies van Hout. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Who is my Daddy?

This Is My Daddy is a board book that delighted me. The premise is super simple yet clever. On the left side of each spread, readers meet an animal--or is creature the right word???--asking one question: WHO IS MY DADDY? (Repetition can be such a good thing in picture books!) On the right side of each spread, readers see FOUR options. Readers are being asked to match the baby and daddy. 

The premise is fun and clever. Because sometimes babies and daddies do NOT look like one another. For example, like the tadpole and frog OR the caterpillar and butterfly. (Sometimes it is more obvious) It ends with a fun twist--a human child--asking the question. But the four options...well...you'll see when you pick this one up for yourself.

I'm not sure this is truly thirty-two pages. I read a board book of this one. I think there might be a picture book edition as well.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers