Since I find it unlikely that I'll review any children's books this week, I'm going to share my favorites now. Will I keep reviewing books at Young Readers next year? Maybe. Maybe not. Will I have a high goal of a hundred books? Definitely not.
In January, I read one five-star book:
4. Mustache Baby. Bridget Heos. 2016. HMH. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]
In February, I read two five-star books:11. Noodles on a Bicycle. Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Gracey Zhang.
2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Caldecott Honor, historical
picture book, picture book]
20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele.
2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal
fantasy]
In March, I read five five-star books! 22. Lone Wolf Gets a Pet. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-fai Steele.
2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, humor,
animal fantasy]24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [board books, cats] 25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle. Sasha Mayer. 2025. 40 pages.
[Source: Library] [5 stars, cats, jealousy, toys, picture book]28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40
pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5
stars]
30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source:
Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]
In April, I read four five-star books!34. Board book: This Dog. That Dog. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [dogs, pets, board book, 5 stars]
37. Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Lucy Ruth
Cummins. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book,
humor]
42. It's Hard To Be a Baby. Cheryl B. Klein. Illustrated by Juana
Medina. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book,
babies]
43. You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems. Sean Taylor.
Illustrated by Sam Usher. 2025. [March] 72 pages. [Source: Library]
[nonfiction, poetry, 5 stars]
In May, I read five five-star books!44. Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (Orris and Timble #2) Kate
DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2025. 80 pages. [Source: Library]
[5 stars, early chapter book, animal
50. Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! Yuko Ohnari. Translated by
Emily Balistrieri. Illustrated by Koshiro Hata. 2025 (2018). 40 pages.
[Source: Library] [picture book, 5 stars]51. Leo the Late Bloomer. Robert Kraus. Illustrated by Jose Aruego.
1971/1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]
53. Our Gorgeous Baby. (Board book). Smriti Prasadam-Halls. Illustrated by Eve
Coy. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, babies, 5 stars]
54. Can't Stop Kissing That Baby. K.L. Going. Illustrated by Fiona Lee. 2025. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]
55. The Peddler of Puddles. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]
In June, I read six five-star books!57. Piggle the Pig #1 The Perfect Pigsty. Dudolf. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, 5 stars] 58. The Monster At The End of This Book. Jon Stone. Illustrated by Michael
J. Smollin. 1971. Golden Books. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]
65. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals. Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by
LeUyen Pham. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [picture book]
67. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean. 2010. 40 pages. [Source: Online Audio]
68. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. Eric Litwin.
Illustrated by James Dean. 2012. 40 pages. [Source: Online Audio and
picture book]71. Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme. Betsy Bird. Illustrated by Andrea
Tsurumi. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor,
fractured nursery tales, 5 stars]
In July I read four five-star books!72. Mouse and Spoon: Owlets and Tarts. (Ready to Read Level 2) Cynthia
Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025.
75. Lone Wolf On Vacation. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2025.
48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, early reader] 76. Lone Wolf Goes to the Library. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-fai
Steele. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book,
series book, animal fantasy]
78. Zebra and Yak The Backwards Alphabet Book. Paul Friedrich. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]
In August I read three five-star books! 83. A Scrub in the Tub. Jan Thomas. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, 5 stars]84. The Elephant's Birthday (Mouse and Spoon). Cynthia Rylant.
Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early
reader, ready to read level 2, animal fantasy, series book; 5 stars]85. George & Lenny Are Always Together. Jon Agee. 2025. 40 pages.
[Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, friendship, picture book]
IN September, I read one five-star book!94. Rabbit Tea (Mouse and Spoon) (Ready to Read Level 2). Cynthia
Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
[5 stars, animal fantasy, early reader]
In October, I read two five-star books!102. Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town. Li Chen. 2025. 208 pages.
[Source: Library] [j graphic novel, animal fantasy, 5 stars]103. Tuck Me In. Nathan W. Pyle. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture books, science, bedtime stories]
In November, I read one five-star book!106. The Dog and Pony Show: Dance Pants. Jeff Mack. 2025. 64 pages.
[Source: Library] [5 stars, if the Cybils exist in 2026 which is
questionable, this one would be eligible] [early reader, early comic]
In December I didn't read a five-star book.
© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers
