Meet Miss Fancy

Meet Miss Fancy. Irene Latham. Illustrated by John Holyfield. 2019. Penguin. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Frank loved elephants. He loved drawing elephants and talking about elephants. He loved their hosepipe trunks and their flap-flap ears, their tree-stump feet and their swish-swish tails. But not once, not ever, had Frank seen a real elephant.

Premise/plot: This picture book is set in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1913. It is loosely based on a true story. There was an elephant, Miss Fancy, whom schoolchildren helped to purchase from a circus for Avondale Park. Miss Fancy lived in her new home from 1913 to 1934. Birmingham, Alabama, as adult readers will no doubt know was segregated at that time--only whites were allowed. Frank, our fictional hero, is not allowed in the park nor allowed to visit Miss Fancy. But where there's a will, is there a way? 

My thoughts: I loved this one. First I just have to say that I love, love, love Frank. We're kindred spirits. I also love, love, love elephants. I love their hosepipe trunks and their flap-flap ears. Which brings me to the second thing I love: the writing or the narrative. What else did I love? The illustrations. The author's note. The fact that this is based on a real elephant and keepers. I found it a satisfying read. Frank did find his own way. In all honesty, I enjoyed it all.

The book is a good example--in my humble opinion--of an author showing instead of telling.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Llama Llama Home With Mama

Llama Llama Home With Mama. Anna Dewdney. 2011. Penguin. 40 pages.

Llama Llama, morning light. Feeling yucky, just not right. 
Down to breakfast. Tiny sneeze. Sniffle, snuffle. Tissues please!
Llama's head is feeling hot. Llama's throat is hurting lots.
Achy, fever, stuffy head...Llama Llama, back to bed.

Llama, Llama Home With Mama is the newest in the Llama Llama series by Anna Dewdney. The first Llama Llama book--perhaps the best of the bunch--is Llama Llama Red Pajama. All of the books are good. (The holiday drama is perhaps my least favorite.)

In Llama Llama Home With Mama, Baby Llama wakes up sick. He is too sick to go to school. He is too sick to have any fun. No, he'll be spending all day with Mama Llama. She takes care of him, but, then Mama Llama starts feeling horrible as well. Good thing, Baby Llama is feeling well enough to take care of Mama in return.

If you've read even one Llama Llama book you know exactly what to expect from this one. That's what makes series books so much fun, in a way. Anna Dewdney offers plenty of rhymes in her Llama Llama books. And if you love the rhythm of them, then they're a real treat!

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

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Your Mommy Was Just Like You

Your Mommy Was Just Like You. Kelly Bennett. Illustrated by David Walker. 2011. Penguin. 32 pages.

Your mommy was born bright-eyed and fuzzy-topped. Just like you.
I'd rock her and blow on her tummy and tickle her toes.
She'd giggle and coo, and play 
"Where's Baby Peek-a-boo?"
Just like you.

I really enjoyed this sweet picture book. It's a great story focusing on family life. It's narrated by Grandma! And does she have some stories to tell to her granddaughter! All about when the little girl's mommy. Stories about when she was sweet as sweet can be, and stories about her fits and tantrums! In each story the grandmother shares with her granddaughter, she points out her mommy was once just like her.

It's predictably cute and adorable and sweet. I really found it enjoyable. I loved reading the stories and looking at the illustrations.

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

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama, Llama Red Pajama. Anna Dewdney. 2005. Penguin. 40 pages.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney is one my favorite favorite picture books. The reason I haven't blogged about it is simply that I hadn't started my blog yet when it was released. And sometimes it does take a little while to go back to old favorites when there are so many new books being released each month.

Baby Llama with some separation anxiety issues. As his mother is putting him to bed, he is happy and soothed. But as soon as she leaves the room, he begins to miss her.

Llama llama
red pajama
feels alone
without his mama.

Baby Llama wants a drink.
Mama's at the kitchen sink.

Llama llama
red pajama
calls down to
his llama mama.

Mama says
she'll be up soon.
Baby Llama hums a tune.

But as the Mama Llama becomes distracted with household tasks and phone calls, Baby Llama goes from a little fretting to a full-out llama drama. But soon all is calm once again as Baby Llama is reassured of his mama's loving care as he drifts off to sleep.

I love the rhymes. I love the rhythms. I love the flow of it all. It's just so fun to read aloud. So fun. And I love the illustrations.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Llama Llama Holiday Drama. Anna Dewdney. 2010. Penguin. 40 pages.

Llama Llama holidays.
Jingle music. Lights ablaze.
Sparkly candles. Yummy bread.
Dress-up clothes in green and red.
How long till that special date?
Llama Llama has to wait. 
Llama Llama holidays.
Ads and signs and store displays.
Fluffy snow and funny elves.
Goodies piled high on shelves.
Just how many days to go?
Llama Llama wants to know.

I first met Llama Llama in Llama Llama Red Pajama. It was love at first sight. I just LOVED Llama Llama. I loved his llama drama. I thought it was a great picture book. I loved the rhyme, loved the story. It just felt right. I then read Llama Llama Mad at Mama and Llama Llama Misses Mama. I loved these as well. Especially Llama Llama Mad at Mama. It just felt right, it felt true. It is VERY VERY hard to stay in a pleasant mood while shopping, running errands. (I could SO relate to Llama Llama's latest drama.) Llama Llama Misses Mama deals with Llama Llama's first experience with school.

In this book, Llama Llama is excited about Christmas. He is very, very anxious. He wants it to be Christmas now. He likes some of the Christmas preparations, some of the holiday activities. Readers see this family shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping presents, etc. But. There are times when it all seems too much, and he gets impatient. It wasn't a big surprise that this was leading to a "holidrama" meltdown.

I liked this one. I didn't love it. I certainly didn't LOVE it. But. I liked it. I still like Llama Llama. I can still relate to his frustrations and anxieties.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Hallelujah Flight

The Hallelujah Flight. Phil Bidner. Illustrated by John Holyfield. 2010. Penguin. 32 pages. 

The day I first met James Banning, he said, "Mr. Allen, my dream is to fly a plane from sea to shining sea, and this here 0XX6 Eagle Rock is our plane. But first I'll need you to overhaul the engine." 
I just about coughed up my coffee. "Replace the entire engine? How will we pay for that?" Times were hard, and most folks didn't have a nickel to spare.
"I've got an idea," Banning replied. "Whenever people give us food, fuel and supplies along the way, they can write their names on the tip of the wing.They'll fly into the history books right along with us!"
"That might just work," I declared.

Though The Hallelujah Flight is a work of fiction--historical fiction--it is based on a true story. It is based on the story of the first African American pilot to complete a transcontinental flight of the U.S. (Also, the first black aviator to obtain a license from the United States Department of Commerce.) The year is 1932, and the story is told from the point of view of his copilot-mechanic, Thomas Allen.

I liked this one. I really liked it. The author mentions how he was shocked that this story hasn't been told before--that it's not widely known--at least not as known as it should be. And I agree. I think more stories like this need to be written, brought to light.

I loved the illustrations. I just LOVED them. I think they are wonderful!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Furious George Goes Bananas: A Primate Parody

Furious George Goes Bananas: A Primate Parody. Michael Rex. 2010. May 2010. Penguin. 32 pages.

George was a great big ape. He lived in a beautiful jungle.
One day a man in a funny hat saw George and said, "Ooh, What a big monkey. I want him."
The man made a pile of bananas.
When George went to eat the bananas, the man threw a sack over him.
"I got you!" said the man.
The man tried to lift George, but George was too heavy. So the man cut holes in the sack and took George out of the jungle.

Michael Rex is the author of two other parodies: Goodnight Goon and The Runaway Mummy. I enjoyed reading Furious George Goes Bananas. I enjoyed reading his interpretation of Curious George. It was interesting to see which elements from the original series got highlighted in the parody. One of the things that is stressed throughout is that George is not a monkey. He doesn't have a tail. It reminded me of one of my favorite Veggie songs, Monkey.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Runaway Mummy

The Runaway Mummy: A Petrifying Parody. Michael Rex. 2009. Penguin. 32 pages.

Once there was a little mummy who wanted to run away.
"If you run away," said Mother Mummy, "I will get you! For you are my rotten little mummy!"
"If you try to get me," said the little mummy, "I will turn into a serpent that lurks at the bottom of the sea."
"If you turn into a serpent," said Mother Mummy, "I will become a sea monster that will wrap around you and never let go."

The Runaway Mummy is a parody of The Runaway Bunny. It is one of three picture book parodies by Michael Rex. The others include Goodnight Goon and Furious George Goes Bananas.

I enjoyed this one! I thought Rex did a great job.

© 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

Nonfiction Monday: Lost Boy

Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan. Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Steve Adams. 2010. August 2010. Penguin. 40 pages.

Once upon a time, on May 9, 1860, a baby boy was born in a low-built house, one of a row of such houses known as The Tenements, in the small town of Kirriemuir in Scotland. He was the seventh child, third boy. James Matthew Barrie wrote that his birth was of such little event in the family, what was celebrated on that day was that they'd bought six chairs. He talked of their poverty and how little they had. But though it was a story that he elaborated on for the rest of his life, it was not strictly true.

I loved this picture book biography of J.M. Barrie by Jane Yolen. I just loved it. Readers learn of Barrie's life--birth to death--and of his legacy. The focus is on his writing life, but it does share certain aspects of his personal life. For example, his friendship with the Davies family.

My favorite part of this one? How each spread incorporates quotes from J.M. Barrie's works. For example, for the first page--what I've quoted above--we have, "One girl is worth more than twenty boys." Readers are told that that quote comes the play Peter Pan. I thought Yolen did a great job of pairing up these biographical details with these fictional quotes. It made the book charming!


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

We're All in the Same Boat

We're All In The Same Boat. Zachary Shapiro. Illustrated by Jack E. Davis. 2009. Penguin. 32 pages.

It rained and it rained. It rained so much that Noah had to build an ark to protect all the animals.

As much as I like the story of Noah. I can be a bit of a harsh critic when it comes to picture-book-Noah's. But. I did like this one. I liked it for what it was. A playful story showcasing the animals and the alphabet. And manners. I shouldn't forget that element of the story! (Don't expect God and his grace (or man and his sinfulness) to enter into this one. It's not a religious story.)

What do I mean when I say that it showcases the alphabet? Shapiro's text is playful. What were the animals on the ark like during these days and nights of relentless rain???

The ants were antsy.

The bees were bored.

The camels were complaining.

The dogs were demanding.

The elephants were enraged.

The foxes were frantic.

What was it like to be Noah? To be this Noah? It's no wonder that he has to yell and shout, "We're all in the same boat!" Can Noah make these animals behave? Can he turn the mood of this boat around?

It's a playful book. A silly book. I can appreciate it for that.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Good Luck Bear

Good Luck Bear. Greg Foley. 2009. [February 2009]. Penguin. 32 pages.

One day while lying in the grass, a little bear found a clover with three tiny leaves. He showed it to his friend Mouse. Mouse said, "If you find one with four leaves, it means that you're lucky." Bear started looking for a four-leaf clover.

Will he find one? Or will he find something even better, something even more unexpected? Bear is back for his third book. (The previous titles include Thank You Bear and Don't Worry Bear. I reviewed Don't Worry Bear just yesterday.)

I liked this one. Perhaps not quite as much as I loved the first one. But I found it charming and cute. I thought it worked. I loved hearing from Bear's friends as well.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Don't Worry Bear

Don't Worry Bear. Greg Foley. 2008. [March 2008] Penguin. 32 pages.

Late one afternoon, a little bear found a caterpillar hard at work. "What are you doing?" asked Bear.
"I'm making a cocoon," said Caterpillar. "I'll stay inside for a while. But I promise you'll see me again."

Bear is worried. Very worried. He's met a new friend. A caterpillar. One preparing his cocoon. First Bear is worried that his new friend is going to get scared of the dark or too wet or cold. But again and again his friend assures him (and reassures him) that there's no reason to worry. Everything will be just fine. What can this little bear learn from a good friend? I like this one because I can identify with Bear.

Follow-up to Thank You Bear.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Nonfiction Monday: Tarra & Bella

Tarra & Bella. The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends. By Carol Buckley. 2009. (September 2009). Penguin. 32 pages.

Meet Tarra, the elephant, and Bella, the dog who won her heart.

This is a sweet story--a true story at that--about friendship. Who would have thought--who could have known that a dog could be best friends with an elephant? Tarra and Bella live at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.

What did I love about this one? Besides the sweet story I mean? Well, I loved the photographs. They are the heart and soul of this one.

In addition to the story--which has appeal for elephant lovers of all ages--we also have the opportunity to learn more about elephant sanctuaries.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

When We Were Very Young

Milne, A.A. 1924. When We Were Very Young. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.

I love A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh and House At Pooh Corner. And while these two poetry books, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six, can never even come close to the magic of those other books, the all-Pooh-and-friends books, I enjoy them nonetheless. Why? Because Milne can have a way with words. A way of saying the very ordinary in a memorable, sometimes magical way. There's something sentimental about them without being overly sentimental. If that makes any sense at all. Included in this first poetry book, we see "Buckingham Palace," "Lines and Squares," "Independence," "Politeness," "Missing," "Teddy Bear," and "Halfway Down." These are the highlights...for me...the best of the best.

To me, there's no denying the perfection of pieces like "Teddy Bear" and "Halfway Down."

Here's how Teddy Bear starts off:

A bear, however hard he tries,
Grows tubby without exercise.
Our teddy bear is short and fat
Which is not to be wondered at;
He gets what exercise he can
By falling off the ottoman,
But generally seems to lack
The energy to clamber back.

Here's how Halfway Down starts off:

Halfway down the stairs
Is a stair
Where I sit.
There isn't any
Other stair
Quite like
it.
I'm not at the bottom,
I'm not at the top;
So this is the stair
Where
I always
Stop.

Have you read When We Were Very Young? Have you read it recently? Do you have a favorite poem or two from it? If you haven't read it yet, you should! Of course, the two Pooh books are most important to read if you haven't read any Milne, but still.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Eric Carle's Animal Sounds

Carle, Eric. 2007. My Very First Book of Animal Sounds.

Eric Carle has many board books coming out this year. And he has many books in print at any given time. The book's pages are in two halves. A top half that features a picture of an animal. And the bottom half that features the word representing the sound the animal makes. It's a mix and match book. You could have a cat saying "squeak" or "quack" or you could make him say the proper "meow."



List of animals:

cat
rooster
dog
duck
cow
mouse
lion
owl
chicks
sheep

List of sounds:

squeak
roar
meow
moo
hoot
quack
peep
crow
baa
bark

Knowing that babies are the only judges that matter. I put this book to the test. Here is what SugarCookie, who is roughly ten months, thought. He really seemed to like looking at the pictures. It was really fun to watch his face light up with a big smile. He seemed to especially like the cow, dog, and cat. He loved to "pat" or "pet" the pictures. He liked turning the pages. And he seemed to like that there were more pages to turn. He'd go back and forth between the pictures. Of course he was way too little to understand that the bottom pages, the words, meant anything or correlated with sounds. And I wasn't about to demonstrate since this book activity was during church. But he thought the book tasted good as well. Overall, it kept him entertained and still for a good bit of time. His other entertainment seemed to be playing with the velcro on his shoes. He would take turns between those two activities. That and munching on Gerber fruit puffs cereal. But overall he was a very happy baby.