69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear

69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the BIG Hungry Bear. Don and Audrey Wood. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture books, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Hello, little Mouse. What are you doing? Oh, I see. Are you going to pick that red, ripe strawberry? But, little Mouse, haven't you heard about the big, hungry bear? Ohhh, how that Bear loves red, ripe strawberries!

Premise/plot: Little Mouse has JUST picked a red, ripe strawberry. Now Mouse is worried--and rightfully so perhaps--that a BIG HUNGRY bear might just come along and take it from her. Is there a way Mouse can make sure NO hungry bear eats her strawberry?

My thoughts: I'm honestly not sure if it's the narrator who "helps" Little Mouse solve the problem, or if it's meant to be you, the reader, who "helps" save the day. I'm guessing probably the narrator--but I could see it going either way. That's how it goes with books written in the second person.

This one is SUPER fun. I love, love, love, love the illustrations. I love how gigantic the strawberry looks because everything is through the perspective of Little Mouse. And I love the story. Who could resist cheering for Little Mouse????

Definitely one I love to read again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

68. Scaredy Squirrel

68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy.

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. He'd rather stay in his safe and familiar tree than risk venturing out into the unknown. The unknown can be a scary place for a squirrel.

I really liked this picture book. I liked Scaredy Squirrel a lot. I could relate to him in some ways. Because the unknown can be a bit scary. Readers may not share Scaredy Squirrels exact fears--green Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs, and sharks--but chances are they can relate to fearing something. Scaredy Squirrel is thrust into an adventure and forced into facing the unknown. And he learns that sometimes fears are just silly, and that life is meant to be enjoyed, to be lived. Out of the nut tree.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

67. Hairy and Scary!

67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Hello! We are the Rhyming Dust Bunnies! Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob! We rhyme all the time! Well, actually I don't rhyme. This is a fan! What rhymes with fan? Tan. Can. Oh no.

Premise/plot: This is the THIRD book in the Rhyming Dust Bunnies series by Jan Thomas. It has been FOREVER since she last released a book in the series. But the good news is a whole new generation of little ones are ready to be introduced to the awesome Jan Thomas. In this one, the rhyming dust bunnies are in danger....or are they????? Bob is definitely trying to tell them SOMETHING. If only they would stop rhyming long enough to listen.

My thoughts: I will always love Jan Thomas' picture books because I've read them so many times. They make great read alouds. You can really put a lot of enthusiasm and silliness into them. This one was fun and nostalgic.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

66. We Are All Ears

66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]

First sentence: We are ears. So are we. Don't forget us! We are ears too!

Premise/plot: Ears of corn keep inserting themselves into this early reader about ears.

My thoughts: I have loved some of Jonathan Fenske's books in the past. He's written picture books and beginning readers. Some are all the awesome and hilarious. Others are just okay. I don't think I was in the mood this time around for reading his newest early reader. It wasn't bad, I just didn't find it funny or amusing. BUT other readers might. I might even find it amusing if I reread it in a few months or years or whenever.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. Shy

65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]

First sentence: Shy was the smallest and quietest pup at the shelter. She seldom made a sound. Not at suppertime. Not at walk time. Not even at playtime.

Premise/plot: Shy finds her forever home. BUT her new human is a musician who loves to play the piano. Shy loves, loves, loves this. She loves it because she can join in with her own song to match his (her human) own. But when it comes time for him to perform on stage, will Shy join him? Does he want her to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It's a sweet story lightly inspired by a dog in Julie Andrews life that liked to sing along. Definitely enjoyable if you like music OR dogs OR both.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

64. WhoHQ: The Beatles

64. WhoHQ: The Beatles. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Fanny Liem. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, j nonfiction, j biography, music appreciation]

First sentence: Four young musicians with "mop top" hair stood onstage in black suits.

Premise/plot: This one is a Who HQ biography book for young children. It is a biography of The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. It mainly focuses on their career as THE Beatles with only a little bit of what came before and after. (Which is fair). It also gives a little bit of context about the 1960s in general.

My thoughts: There was a time when I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved the Beatles and read anything and everything I could on the Beatles. This one didn't teach me anything new, however, I didn't expect it to. This one is for young readers not adults who have read half a dozen or so books on the Beatles and watched the Beatles Anthology and other documentaries multiple times. It is a good introduction to the group. I'm not sure if this is a book young readers would pick up on their own. It might be one they'd choose if there was an assignment maybe? It would be fascinating to hear from school librarians (and children's librarians in the public library) to see if this one is being checked out by kids and how frequently.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

63. Orris and Timble Star Stories

63. Orris and Timble Star Stories. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2026. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: The rat had made himself a nest from the pages of discarded books. Arranged around the nest were his treasures: a foil-wrapped Top-Notch Butterscotch candy, a velvet slipper, a yellow marble, and an Imperial sardine can with a picture of a fish king on its label.

Premise/plot: This is the third book in the Orris and Timble series. In this one the owl (Timble) tries to convince his friend the rat (Orris) to ride on his back and fly with him. Orris is RIGHTFULLY hesitant. But Timble is persistent (dare I say manipulative). Will Orris be persuaded to try something new because his friend pressures him????

My thoughts: I'm an overthinker. I had issues with this one. I am going to guess that most readers won't. I do like the other books in the series well enough. I just think that Orris has all the reasons in the world to want to stay on the ground. It isn't a matter of trusting his one specific friend. It's a matter of ANYTHING could happen and gravity exists. Also it isn't as if Timble can guarantee his safety. I find it problematic that Timble acts in such a way that it is a MORAL failing if Orris doesn't do what he wants. That if you don't do this it means you don't trust me. That if you REALLY were my friend you'd do this risky dangerous thing. I suppose the message of the book is supposed to be: it's awesome to do new things. But I still don't like how it's done.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

62. One Mad Cat and the Missing Book

62. One Mad Cat and the Missing Book. Vicky Fang. 2026. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early reader, early chapter book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Meet Cat. She is mad. What makes Cat mad? Cat does not like toys. Cat does not like hugs. Cat does not like jokes.

Premise/plot: Cat helps her friend Hedgehog find a missing book--a book about pie. At first she is all about solving the mystery and helping out her friend. However, when the book ends up not to be missing so much as misplaced by Hedgehog, Cat can't help getting mad.

My thoughts: It was okay. I wanted to like it more than I did. I think it went on a little too long. Young readers may enjoy Cat and her friends.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

61. Pizza and Taco Scariest Sleepover Ever

61. Pizza and Taco #11: Pizza and Taco: Scariest Sleepover Ever. Stephen Shaskan. 2026. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

First sentence: Taco! Taco! Taco! Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Premise/plot: Taco and Pizza are starring in their eleventh adventure together. In this graphic novel for young readers--early chapter book, early graphic novel--Pizza and Taco are hosting a sleepover. The two are making all the plans for the sleepover activities before their guests arrived. Scary movies are out--because of parental rules--but telling scary stories is not. Will anyone sleep at this sleepover?

My thoughts: I thought this was a decent entry into the series. Taco and Pizza are hanging out with their friends. (Some of whom we've met briefly before.) There are puns and more puns. The biggest put of this one is having them dance to Taylor Swiss music. I think adults who read children's books may be tired of this series, HOWEVER, to young readers who love to pick up a series and READ, read, read, perhaps having this many books in the series is a blessing. It is important to remember that children's books are meant to be read and enjoyed by children.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

60. Dragon's Fat Cat

60. Dragon's Fat Cat (Dragon #2) Dav Pilkey. 2019. (1992) Scholastic. 64 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: One snowy day in January, Dragon heard a funny noise. "Meow!" "That sounds like a cat," said Dragon.

Premise/plot: Dragon makes a new friend in this early chapter book by Dav Pilkey. That friend is, you guessed it, a cat, a FAT, GRAY CAT. There are five chapters in this one:

• "Meow!" 
• Life With Cat
• Problems
• Left Behind
• Home Again

In the first chapter, Dragon meets a fat, gray cat and invites him inside.

In the second chapter, Dragon takes the cat inside and names him, "Cat." Dragon prepares a special bed for his new friend/pet. (The Cat takes Dragon's bed.)

In the third chapter, readers learn just how much Dragon does NOT know about owning a cat.
(Dragon does NOT know that his cat needs a litter box, for example.) He eventually finds himself at a pet store.

In the fourth chapter, Dragon realizes that he left Cat behind at the pet store. He must find and "rescue" Cat. When he finds Cat, he finds a big surprise! The reason why Cat was so FAT...

In the fifth chapter, Dragon returns home with Cat and her kittens. He starts preparing beds for all the little ones--he's named each one KITTY. Will Cat and kittens sleep in their beds?! Or will they still have ownership of Dragon's big bed?!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, CRAZY-LOVED this one. I enjoyed the writing very much. It was funny.

Dragon liked living with Cat,
and Cat liked living with Dragon.
But Dragon did not know
how to take care of Cat.
He did not know how to train Cat.
That was a problem.
Dragon did not know what to feed Cat.
That was a big problem.
And Dragon did not know what to do
about all the yellow puddles Cat made.
That was a smelly problem.

 I think this one will hold great appeal for young readers. I first read and reviewed this one in 2009. It has been newly republished this year.   


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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

57. The Biggest Cat in the Book

57. The Biggest Cat in the Book. Ben Lerwill. Illustrated by Mark Chambers. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Pippa is a kitten. She is exploring a slipper. She is NOT the biggest cat in the book.

Premise/plot: The search is on for the cat who IS the biggest in the book.

My thoughts: I like the premise of this one fine. I think it drags on a bit too long. I think this would make a great sixteen page board book. Cut the number of cats in half that aren't the "biggest" in the book, and I think it would read better after all. That being said, the cats--except perhaps for Chicken--are all ADORABLE and fun. But I think the biggest problem with this book about the biggest is that it's anti-climatic. When you finally get there, it has fizzled out completely.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

56. Jumanji

56. Jumanji. Chris Van Allsburg. 1981. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, fantasy, 3 stars]

First sentence: "Now remember," Mother said, "your father and I are bringing some guests by after the opera, so please keep the house neat."

Premise/plot: Two bored kids find a game in the park and bring it home. Peter and Judy have been told to keep the house neat and tidy. But as they play the game Jumanji, well, things get a little out of hand. Almost like how the Cat in the Hat brings chaos when he comes to visit. But Judy insists they keep playing the game until the end no matter what.

My thoughts: The book is VERY self-contained. Judy and Peter never even move from the table where they are playing the game. The movie is WILD and ZANY, erratic, chaotic. The game doesn't just effect Judy and Peter in their house but the WHOLE entire town. That's why I said this one was very self contained. Judy and Peter don't seem overly alarmed by the things happening around them. Perhaps because they don't seem to have lasting consequences? The book definitely presents more as two kids with a vivid imagination than the movie would ever have you believe.

The story is definitely more developed than the picture book. I don't dislike the picture book. And I don't love the movie. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I think both are premise-driven. Subdued is the word that just came to mind and I think it fits. The book is subdued.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

55. Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb

55. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb. Al Perkins. 1969. Random House. 36 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Hand hand fingers thumb. One thumb one thumb drumming on a drum. One hand two hands drumming on a drum. Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum.

Premise/plot: What starts out as one monkey joyfully drumming ends with millions of monkeys jamming away on their drums. Perkins' book is a jazzy treat that delights readers old and new.

Favorite quotes:

"Hello Jack." "Hello Jake." Shake hands shake hands. Shake! Shake! Shake!

Hand in hand more monkeys come. Many more fingers. Many more thumbs. Many more monkeys. Many more drums. Millions of fingers! Millions of thumbs! Millions of monkeys drumming on drums!

My thoughts: Everything I learned about rhythm and rhyme I learned by reading this one. An exaggeration perhaps, there is also Dr. Seuss. But I tend to judge the quality of all other picture books attempting rhythm with this one. Most fail horribly. There is just something magical about this one. Yes, I grew up with it. Yes, I quote it all the time. I think the book is timeless and just about perfect.

Have you read it? What did you think?

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


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

54. Cat's New Book

54. Cat's New Book. Nathalie Belhassen. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture books, cats, friends]

First sentence: This book is new. I just got it, but it's already my favorite! I love hugging its clean cover and stroking its smooth pages. It smells so good. I can read it whenever I want, because it's all mine. But I turn the pages gently so the book will stay new forever.

Premise/plot: CAT has a new book. It's a FAVORITE new book. It's a most treasured and beloved new book. But Cat lends her new book out and makes friends and more friends and even more friends. They all agree that Cat's book is FAVORITE. The book may not stay new and clean, but friendships are forever.

My thoughts: I love, love, love CAT'S NEW BOOK. It's a great book celebrating friendship AND reading. I love the text and the illustrations.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

53. Fox Catches a Wave

53. Fox Catches a Wave. Corey R. Tabor. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, I Can Read Book, early readers]

First sentence: Fox is going on a trip. Is Fox going to catch a bus? No. Is Fox going to catch a train? Nope. Is Fox going to catch a plan? No.

Premise/plot: Fox has returned for another misadventure/adventure in Corey R. Tabor's Fox Catches a Wave. What will Fox "catch" in this one?

My thoughts: I have absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED some of Fox's past books. I still really enjoy the character. I do think for an I Can Read book it is entertaining and fun. BUT I've enjoyed other books in the series more than this one. I do think if your little one LOVES the character Fox and wants to binge read the entire series, it is definitely WORTH it.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

52. Zathura

52. Zathura. Chris Van Allsburg. 2002. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, fantasy]

First sentence: "Mom!" Danny Budwing yelled. "Mom!" Walter and Danny's mother stopped at her sons' bedroom door.

Premise/plot: Walter and Danny are brothers who fight and bicker and fuss all the time, ALL the time. But will a board game bring them together????

My thoughts: I watched the movie adaptation, Zathura. I loved it. I had never read the picture book. I've never seen Jumanji. I had low expectations for the movie, but, I found it GREAT fun. Perhaps if I'd had extremely high expectations and a preconceived notion of what it should be and should not be, I would have felt differently.

This picture book is much more "basic" and "contained" than the movie. The game is still adventurous but it doesn't seem SO intensely dangerously dramatic and a fight for survival. And the ending is quite different.

I personally love the movie more. But I can see how the book is creative and could work for young readers.

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


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

51. Rebecca the White House Raccoon

51. Rebecca the White House Raccoon. April Genevieve Tucholke. Illustrated by Dave Szalay. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, based on a true story]

First sentence: The President was supposed to eat me. I was packed into a slatted box on a sunny November day in 1926 and shipped to the White House with a note that said: EAT ME FOR DINNER.

Premise/plot: Rebecca, a raccoon, the White House raccoon, narrates this historical picture book based on a true story. Is Rebecca reliable narrator? Maybe. Maybe not. But according to Rebecca she was the FAVORITE pet of the President and First Lady. But readers do learn about other pets as well. Pets that may have been slightly less problematic. Many of these 'pets' were a bit 'wild' in addition to the more traditional pets.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I definitely learned new things while reading it. It's good to have a "political" picture book that isn't divisive. There's plenty of action in this story as well! Overall, I think it would be a fun book to share with young readers.

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



© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

50. Next Door There Is a Dinosaur

50. Next Door There Is a Dinosaur. Saskia Gwinn. Illustrated by Leanne Coelho. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Next door there is a dinosaur. I saw its sneaky, scaly claw. It whipped out quick, then shut the door of Mrs. Shaw's at eighty-four.

Premise/plot: A young boy is CONVINCED that the next door neighbor, Mrs. Shaw, HAS a dinosaur. Day after day after day, he tries to convince his family that it is TRUE. He's collecting all the evidence. Finally he decides he just has to KNOW for sure, for sure. So he goes and asks her directly.....

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. It celebrates the imagination, or does it?!?! Maybe there are dinosaurs attending parties in your neighborhood! I love the rhyming. It is just SO much fun.

I climbed our tall green sycamore.
You'll never guess the THING I saw,
sitting in the yard next door...
...a POO so big it blocked the door!
It smelled so bad that I am SURE
the pooper was a dinosaur.
And not a friendly herbivore!
NO, a whiffy, sniffy CARNIVORE!





© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

48-49. Two more Jonathan Fenske Books

48. Candy Corn Christmas. Jonathan Fenske. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, Halloween]

First sentence: Halloween had come and gone. But one confection lingered on, and pantry shelves became the haunts of candy corn that no one wants. They were the candy time forgot. They did not mold. They did not rot. They sat around the pumpkin pail, feeling bored and kind of stale.

Premise/plot: Candy Corn discovers Christmas. Essentially that is the premise of this rhyming picture book by Jonathan Fenske. But what will the Christmas candy (and decorations and like) think of having candy corn hanging around? And what will the jolly old man himself think of candy corn?

My thoughts: I have a love/hate relationship with the rhyming. On the one hand, Fenske does GREAT on some stanzas!!!! I really enjoy some verses. On the other hand, some just didn't work for me. If all verses were mediocre, then I wouldn't be torn. I do think it's a fun, silly concept. It will work as a read aloud, most likely. Particularly as a transition from Halloween to Christmas.





49. A Unicorn, A Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book. Jonathan Fenske. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture books, animal fantasy, meta fiction]

First sentence: A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark walk into a book. Ahem! I said, a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark walk into a book!

Premise/plot: The author--narrator--wants to make the best book ever. So, naturally, of course, he thinks that if he has a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark star together in a picture book then it will be a success, a sure thing. But the book doesn't have "action" at least until another character is introduced.

My thoughts: The book is silly and a bit ridiculous. I haven't decided if this is a "breaks the fourth wall" example or not. I am almost positive it is. Since the book and writing process is being discussed with you the reader. I don't love it. But I also don't hate it. I mean I've read more successful attempts of this. I do think that kids might enjoy it, maybe. And perhaps teachers could encourage students to write their own stories or follow story prompts. Or to discuss predictions. What do you think will happen next?

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers