11. Noodles on a Bicycle

 

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]

First sentence: When the deliverymen set off in the morning, we sit outside
and watch
and wait
for the flicker of pedal and wheel.

Premise/plot: Noodles on a Bicycle is a historical picture book set in Tokyo, Japan. Soba deliverymen are the star of the show--the scene stealers. 

My thoughts: This one left me speechless-mostly. This was my first introduction to the subject! It would be an understatement to say I was captivated and in awe--at the whole concept let alone the execution. I loved learning something new. I loved the story. I loved the WRITING. Such a beautiful narrative style. I enjoyed the illustrations.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

19. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre. Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.  2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Once upon a time near Tulsa, Oklahoma, prospectors struck it rich in the oil fields. The wealth created jobs, raised buildings, and attracted newcomers from far and wide, seeking fortune and a fresh start.

There are no words. Okay, there are words, but not adequate words that do justice to the experience of reading this one. (If that makes sense.) This is without a doubt an emotional read that takes the readers on a journey.

I do think it is for mid-to-upper elementary school. I wouldn't necessarily choose it for the preschool crowd. But what a story--marvelous text, incredible illustrations. Together text and illustrations will break your heart. The first half is filled with so much hope and the possibilities while not endless perhaps seem tangible, within reach. The rest is horrifying. But just because something is horrifying doesn't mean you can ignore it or wish it away. 

A hard read, to be sure, but worth it. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

172. A Chair for My Mother

A Chair for My Mother (Rosa Books #1) Vera B. Williams. 1982. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My mother works as a waitress in the Blue Tile Diner. After school sometimes I go to meet her there. Then her boss, Josephine, gives me a job too. I wash the salts and peppers and fill the ketchups. One time I peeled all the onions for the onion soup. When I finish, Josephine says, "Good work, honey," and pays me. And every time, I put half of my money into the jar.

Premise/plot: Rosa and her family (mother, grandmother) save up their coins in a jar so they can buy a chair. I believe this is after a previous fire destroyed their home.

My thoughts: I remember--vaguely--A Chair For My Mother being a Reading Rainbow book. I'm not sure when I first read it for myself. But every now and then I'll be in a mood to seek out the story again.

In many ways, it is a simple story. The family is hard-working and patient. Filling the jar will not be quick and easy. Every day the family looks ahead to the goal--the day the jar will have enough money so they can go together and pick out a chair. The mindset in some ways is so different from the "modern" or "contemporary" [entitled] outlook of if I want it, I'll buy it NOW. And this is something that is actively encouraged, buy it TODAY, pay for it later. It is always refreshing to pick this one up. 

I also love the subtle [and simple] celebration of family.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Grace Lin. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Little Star's mama laid the Big Mooncake onto the night sky to cool. "Now, Little Star," Mama said, "your Mooncake took us a long time to take, so let's see if you can make it last awhile. Can you remember not to touch this Big Mooncake until I tell you to?" "Yes, Mama!" Little Star said, nodding.

Premise/plot: Will Little Star be able to resist nibbling on her mooncake? Or will this mooncake get smaller and smaller and smaller with each passing night?

My thoughts: The book description calls this a 'whimsical origin story' for the phases of the moon. As such I suppose it works well enough--at least for most readers. On GoodReads, 80% of the ratings are four or five stars.

How did I feel about this one? Honestly, I can't say I loved the story or the illustrations. (For the record, I can't say that I hated the story or the illustrations either.) Indifference is the word that comes to mind. I just didn't find his Caldecott Honor book to be engaging. But as I've said a thousand times in the past--why not make it a thousand and one--picture books are super-super subjective. What one person loves and adores another person just doesn't get.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Alma and How She Got Her Name

Alma and How She Got Her Name. Juana Martinez-Neal. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela had a long name--too long, if you asked her. "My name is so long, Daddy. It never fits," Alma said. "Come here," he said. "Let me tell you the story of your name. Then you decide if it fits."

Premise/plot: After Alma hears the story of her name will she change her mind? This picture book celebrates families and individuality. Also storytelling.

My thoughts: I love, love, love the premise of this one. I love the story telling. I love the emphasis on family and belonging. I love the celebration of life.

Alma And How She Got Her Name is a Caldecott Honor book for 2019.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Rough Patch

The Rough Patch. Brian Lies. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Evan and his dog did everything together.

Premise/plot: Evan and his dog do everything together...until they don't. After Evan's dog dies, Evan enters a ROUGH PATCH. Will Evan ever want to live again? Will Evan ever be happy again?

My thoughts: The Rough Patch received a Caldecott Honor in 2019. I do like the illustrations. I'm not sure I loved, loved, loved the illustrations, but I definitely liked them. But do I like the story? Honestly I'm not sure that I do. Perhaps that says more about me than anything else.

The Rough Patch is a picture book about death, loss, grief, and depression. It is also a book about gardening. I am thankful that this book is NOT a copycat of The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst. I read the book with this dread that I'd turn the page and it would go there--the dog's decomposing body helped make the pumpkin grow so big. But thankfully it never did!

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Thank You, Omu

Thank You, Omu! Oge Mora. 2018. Little, Brown and Company. 34 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On the corner of First Street and Long Street, on the very top floor, Omu was cooking a thick red stew in a big fat pot for a nice evening meal. She seasoned and stirred it and took a small taste.

Premise/plot: Omu is making a thick, red stew. It smells AMAZING. The smell is so amazing that it brings people--one at a time--to her home. Omu begins to share her meal. Will she have enough for herself?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. Omu is such a sweet, generous soul. And as she opens her home and her heart to others, they are blessed indeed. This one has the best possible ending all things considered: though she may run out of her amazing stew, the community returns with their own gifts to thank her.

Thank You, Omu! is a Caldecott Honor book for 2019.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Freight Train

Freight Train. Donald Crews. 1978. 26 pages. [Source: Borrowed]

First sentence: A train runs across this track. Red caboose at the back. Orange tank car next. Yellow hopper car.

Premise/plot: Freight Train is a concept book teaching colors, a train-themed concept book teaching colors. It received a Caldecott Honor in 1979, I believe. If I had to guess the most memorized picture book ever, I bet it would be Freight Train or Goodnight Moon. What do you think it would be?

My thoughts: What's not to love about this children's classic? It wasn't the first train book, it certainly won't be the last. What is it about kids and trains?!

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Relatives Came

The Relatives Came. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. 1985. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was in the summer of the year when the relatives came. They came up from Virginia. They left when their grapes were nearly purple enough to pick, but not quite.

Premise/plot: The Relatives Came is a celebration of family, and, in part a celebration of summer. In this picture book, relatives come to visit, come to stay for a few weeks of FUN and LAUGHTER.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. It's a joyous book: a celebration of the good life.

Then it was hugging time. Talk about hugging! Those relatives just passed us all around their car, pulling us against their wrinkled Virginia clothes, crying sometimes. They hugged us for hours. Then it was into the house and so much laughing and shining faces and hugging in the doorways. You'd have to go through at least four different hugs to get from the kitchen to the front room. Those relatives!

Rylant is a wonderful author. The Relatives Came earned a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are well worth a closer look. So much detail squeezed in that adds to the narrative.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

When I Was Young In the Mountains

When I Was Young in the Mountains. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Diane Goode. 1982. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When I was young in the mountains, Grandfather came home in the evening covered with the black dust of a coal mine. Only his lips were clean, and he used them to kiss the top of my head. When I was young in the mountains, Grandmother spread the table with hot corn bread, pinto beans, and friend okra. Later, in the middle of the night, she walked through the grass with me to the johnny-house and held my hand in the dark. I promised never to eat more than one serving of okra again.

Premise/plot: When I Was Young in the Mountains was Cynthia Rylant's first book. It would not be her last. It was only the beginning of a LONG career. Perhaps it is fitting--RIGHT--that her career began where she began--in the mountains of West Virginia. The book--beautifully, almost poetically--recounts her childhood memories. She was raised by her grandparents. Each page begins, "When I was young in the mountains..."

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I love it for the text. I should mention that it earned a Caldecott Honor in 1983. And the illustrations are nice enough. But it is the text itself that practically sings: a tribute to all things beautiful, simple, and true.

When I was young in the mountains, we went to church in the schoolhouse on Sundays, and sometimes walked with the congregation through the cow pasture to the dark swimming hole, for baptisms. My cousin Peter was laid back into the water, and his white shirt stuck to him, and my Grandmother cried.

When I was young in the mountains, I never wanted to go to the ocean, and I never wanted to go to the desert. I never wanted to go anywhere else in the world, for I was in the mountains. And that was always enough. 

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers