2. Squirrel Sits Still (Board Book)

2. Squirrel Sits Still (Board Book). Christianne Jones. Illustrated by Jayri Gomez. 2026. 20 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, 5 stars, animal fantasy]

First sentence: It's hard for Squirrel to sit still. She's still working on that skill. She tries to get the wiggles out. She jumps and shakes and moves about. She hurries to her story spot. She thinks about what she's been taught.

Premise/plot: Squirrel struggles with sitting still. In this context, Squirrel is trying to sit still during a library story time. The story is written in rhyme (see quote above).

My thoughts: Rhyming books don't always work for me. BUT the rhyming in this one seems natural and not forced in terms of rhythm and flow. IT works. Squirrel is adorable enough as the protagonist. I enjoyed the text and the illustrations.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

82. Who Meows?

82. Who Meows? A Book of Animal Sounds. Robin Page. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, concept book]

First sentence: Who meows? A cat meows. Who gobbles? A turkey gobbles. Who croaks?

Premise/plot: Who Meows is a question-answer concept book for little ones teaching animal sounds. It starts with a question, always. Turn the page to find the answer and get the next question. This format gives little ones ample opportunities to guess what animal will be revealed next. The format and structure is simple. The illustrations are colorful.

My thoughts: I liked this one. Or I liked it well enough. For the target audience--toddlers through preschoolers, I think this one is a solid choice. I could see this being a good choice for reading aloud with little ones at home. It might also work for story time at the library, though I'm less clear if this would be ideal. For larger families, older siblings could read aloud with younger ones. The appeal of this text might be limited to younger audiences but that doesn't make it less important to have in the library.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

69. This Is My World

 

69. Board book: This Is My World:  High Contrast Touch and Feel Book (Board Book). Hannah Eliot. Emily Spikings Illustrator. 2025. 14 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board book]

First sentence: This is the sun that rises each day. These are the colors you'll see when you play. These are the sounds you may hear, inside and outside, far and near.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A high contrast, touch and feel book. Each spread introduces the youngest of little ones to the world around them. 

My thoughts: The book is high contrast. Black, white. Primary colors. Everything is bold. The illustrations are simple. The touch and feel elements are perhaps not as many as I'd like. Shiny isn't something you can touch and feel, for example. There are really only two textures that offer enough of a sensory experience (crinkly and soft). The book ends with a mirror which I believe is always a hit with little ones.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

123. D is for Dogs (Board book)

123. Board book: D is for Dogs. Greg Paprocki. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars]

First sentence: A is for athletic. B is for barking. C is for cuddly. D is for dogs. E is for eating. F is for fluffy. G is for good. H is for helpful. 

Premise/plot: This board book celebrates dogs a to z. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I would have loved it even more if it was cat-themed. However, this one is delightful enough. I think the illustrations are what makes this one work well. I loved how detail the illustrations are for each letter. Plenty to look at. One could definitely slow down the pace of this read aloud by asking more questions. One question, for example, you could ask for each page is how many dogs can you find in this picture? Or what are the dog(s) doing? I definitely recommend this one for dog lovers.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

122. Board Book: Let's Put That Away!

 122. (Board book) Let's Put That Away: My First Book of Organizing. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. 2024. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: All day long, we take things out and we put things away. Everything has a home! You just have to know where it is. Where do toys go? In the bins! Where do books go? On the bookshelf! 

Premise/plot: A board book concept book on tidying up. It is more about teaching kids to be responsible--at least in part--for tidying up. 

My thoughts: I never knew I needed this book. It is a simple book, in some ways. I love the question and answer format. I don't necessarily love, love, love the illustrations. However I enjoyed the text.

 

© 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

24. Kitty and Cat: Bent Out of Shape

Kitty and Cat: Bent Out of Shape. Mirka Hokkanen. 2023. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Cat! Time for a bath! Cat? Where's Cat?

Premise/plot: Kitty and Cat are back for another adventure. In this one the concept being taught is shapes. Cat is avoiding the dread B-A-T-H. But will Cat be successful? Will the others be successful when it is their turn for a bath? 

My thoughts: I liked it well enough. Kitty and Cat are both cute. The story may not be "fresh" or "new" but it is still fun enough. 

If your little one loves cats, then I'd recommend reading this one. (Especially if you can get it at your local library). The great thing about picture books is that you can preview before you buy (if you buy in person) or look at the sample pages if you are buying online.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

293-295. Picture Book Parade

293. How To Count to One: And Don't Even Think About Bigger Numbers. Caspar Salmon. Illustrated by Matt Hunt. 2023. [June] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hello! Welcome to a fun new counting book. Are you ready to start counting? As we go through the book, follow the instructions. Don't worry if you make a mistake! Let's start with something nice and easy. Do you know what an apple looks like? Good! Simply count how many apples you see.

Premise/plot: This is an interactive counting concept book with a twist. The twist is to trick little ones into breaking the rules and counting higher than one. Every page actively discourages little ones from counting higher. The text and illustrations keep getting sillier. Will your little one "accidentally" learn to count higher than one?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this reverse psychology interactive concept book. It was silly, amusing, fun. It kept surprising me. I knew the general idea of it going in, but I didn't know what silly situations would pop up next as I kept turning the pages. This one is a bit on the oversized side. I haven't decided if it would be best shared one on one or if it would be good for a group read aloud.

294. Squash, the Cat. Sasha Mayer. 2023. [August] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is Squash. You might he able to guess how he got his name. Squash is an early-breakfast followed by a midmorning nap and then another nap kind of cat. Squash's best friend is Maggie.

Premise/plot: Squash's human MAGGIE gets upset with him for squashing her new tunnel. Will she forgive him? 

My thoughts: I wish, in a way, that this one was about another topic. I mean sure forgiveness is important and all. Okay it is also extremely relevant to this target-audience (age group). But I wanted MORE Squash being adorable and less life lessons. I thought Squash was adorable.

295. Just Because. Matthew McConaughey. Illustrated by Renee Kurilla. 2023. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Just because they threw the dart, doesn't mean that it stuck. Just because I've got skills, doesn't mean there is no luck. 

Premise/plot: Rhyming couplets offer plenty of enigmas or food for thought for older readers. Each couplet starts with "just because." Each relies heavily on the illustrations. In fact, without the illustrations, the rhymes would have no point. (Though one could argue that some might still not have a point????)

My thoughts: Who is the audience for Just Because? Is it adult librarians? teachers? graduating seniors? At what age do you have to be to really appreciate many mini-life-lessons? This one is for readers who want to unpack meaning in riddles and enigmas. It might be a good conversation starter for small groups. I do think some of the couplets could be interpreted in more than one way. 

I personally was not a fan. Reading is subjective. There are probably readers--of some age--that will appreciate this one and find some depth.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

179-183. Board Books on Parade

179. BOARD BOOK: Oakley the Squirrel: Camping 1 2 3! A Nutty Numbers Book. Nancy Rose. 2023. [May] 30 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: Summer vacation has finally begun. Oakley and friends are ready for fun! They picked a nice campground right next to a lake. Let's look at and count all the things that they take! 1 Red and white camper with an awning for shade. 2 blue and white coolers filled with food that they made. 3 pads and pillows for sleeping in tents.

Premise/plot: Oakley the Squirrel (and friends) is going camping. This counting book showcases that vacation.

My thoughts: Could there be a cuter board book?!?!?! I haven't read the previous Oakley the Squirrel book. (I believe it is an alphabet book). But this one was charming. I loved seeing all the squirrels and squirrel-size objects. Just extremely cute-sy and fun. Counting books abound. But not all are this adorable and unique. 

180. BOARD BOOK: Little Chicks. Taro Gomi. 2018/2023. 26 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Three little chicks run. They run together. They run energetically. They take a rest and then keep running.

Premise/plot: Three little chicks run through ninety percent of this board book. On every spread, these three are running. Why are they running? Don't know. Should we care why they are running? Maybe. 

My thoughts: This one left me with a huh???? I'm not sure why these three chicks are running....and why I should care that they are running. Also why is the sun hot pink or red? Are these three chicks running from the apocalypse??? (Probably not). This one may appeal to other readers.

181. BOARD BOOK: It's Tummy Time! Elise Parsley. 2023. [February] 22 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Daytime. Playtime. Teatime. Tummy time! Nap time. Snack time. Screen time. Tummy time!

Premise/plot: Any time can be the right time for TUMMY TIME. This book celebrates the ordinary moments of family life. Every spread includes TUMMY TIME. But other moments are highlighted too. One of my favorites, for example, is when the baby is getting all the attention--I believe from grandparents?--and it's the older toddler who is having  TUMMY TIME (aka a tantrum on the floor). The book concludes with the mom having "tummy time" in bed getting some much deserved sleep.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I definitely liked it. The illustrations are very expressive. Some of the scenes are super relatable. I like the flow of the text. 

182. BOARD BOOK: I'M YOUR ICE CREAM TRUCK. Hannah Eliot. Illustrated by Belinda Chen. 2023. [May] 18 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am your ice cream truck! I deliver sweet treats that are cold and frosty and delicious to eat! 

Premise/plot: This novelty board book is in the shape of an ice cream truck. It is told from the ice cream truck's perspective. It is told in first person. 

My thoughts: Novelty board books abound. The production of novelty books will always, always be. This one is predictably exactly what it appears to be. It's not good. It's not bad. It's not anything but silly. I do think the FUN SHAPE will appeal to toddler-sized hands. So much of the "reading experience" of these board books is this hands-on, mouth-on, full sensory experience. It's colorful, an interesting shape, and an opportunity for some one-on-one lap time read aloud. (Or perhaps, it could even be stood up and used during tummy time).

183. BOARD BOOK: I Love You Slow Much. Rose Rossner. Illustrated by Sanja Rescek. 2022. [December] 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Just a few lines to say you're ZE-BRAvest kid I know. TOUCAN do anything! I love to watch you grow. You really stand out as a total FLOCK star.

Premise/plot: Love puns? word-play? corny "dad" jokes? Also love sugary-sweet illustrations of animals? 

My thoughts: What you see is exactly what you get. That's not a bad thing. If you're going to commit, commit ALL the way. That's good advice if you're going to be reading this one aloud. If you're going to do it, DO IT. I don't know if little ones will respond with eye-rolling like adult readers may. Then again, I'm not sure they will "get" all the word-play and puns.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

174-178. Kitty Picture Book Parade

174. 10 Cats. Emily Gravett. 2022/203. [May 2023 in U.S.] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: 10 Cats
1 white cat
2 black cats
3 cats with stripes
4 cats with patches

Premise/plot: 10 Cats is a super fun concept book starring ten lovable, adorable, precious cats. It is a counting book and a color book. These curious and mischievous kittens are exploring the wonders--for better or worse--with three paint cans. The three cans of paint are primary colors. This has a similar concept to Mouse Paint--an awesome picture book everyone should know. But it is unique as well.

My thoughts: I loved this one so much! I loved this Mama cat and her nine kittens. I loved the adventures and misadventures! The illustrations are so expressive. The text keeps it simple. But the illustrations are more than capable of telling--of carrying--the story.

Highly recommended as a read aloud.

 175. Being A Cat A Tail of Curiosity. Maria Gianferrari. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Can you be a cat?
Being a cat
is seeking--
watching, wondering, wandering,
surveying everything around you.
Can you search like a cat?
Perch high. Look low.
Lurk under and around.
What have you found?

Premise/plot: A little girl and her cat star in this picture book. Apparently there is also a BEING A DOG.

My thoughts:  I enjoyed many aspects of this one. I love the questions and answers. I love the imagery. I love the illustrations. My favorite section:

How do you say I love you like a cat?
Jump. Rub. Bunt. Twine. Twist. Wind. Blink once, then twice. Knead. Cuddle. Curl like a question mark. 

Again, highly recommended for cat lovers of all ages. 

176. The Perfect Present. Petr Horacek. 2022/2023. [May] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Tom and Mot were best friends. Today was Tom and Mot's birthday. 

Premise/plot: Tom and Mot are cats who are best, best friends. They share a birthday. Tom gives Mot a feather. Mot gives Tom a marble. The two use their imaginations throughout the book. The presents are very abstract. 

My thoughts: I hoped to enjoy this one. I think it is still enjoyable if your expectations are reasonable. It is very abstract, in my opinion. The two presents represent very abstract, yet vibrantly creative and imaginative concepts. These two know each other very well. They "speak the same love language" if you will. These are much-appreciated gift. Not just a marble. Not just a feather.

177. This Story is Not About a Kitten. Randall de Seve. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. 2022. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: This story is not about a kitten. A kitten, hungry and dirty, scared and alone, meowing sadly, needing a home. This story is not about the dog who stopped when it heard the kitten, hungry and dirty, scared and alone, meowing sadly, needing a home. This story is not about the dog's people who listened, or the dog who stopped when it heard the kitten...

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates a community that come together to rescue a kitten. The storytelling format is loosely inspired by "The House That Jack Built...." but perhaps lacking some of the clever rhythm. 

My thoughts: I don't know that the repetitive nature of this format works when the rhythm is so clunky and not quite right. I think the story of a community coming together could be super compelling. And for many readers--less picky readers--this one could still work quite well.

178. A Kitten Tale. Eric Rohmann. 2008. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Once there were four kittens who had never seen snow. \

Premise/plot: A Kitten Tale is a fairly basic tale about four kittens. Three of the four kittens are nervous/intimidated/scared of snow. Mind you, the book takes you through ALL of the seasons. So the snow isn't imminent. But the fourth kitten is EXCITED about future snow. This one can't wait. He can't wait in spring. He can't wait in summer. He can't wait in fall. He is READY for whatever may fall from the sky. Will the other three kittens end up liking snow?

My thoughts: I liked this one. The illustrations are super, super adorable. I love the style of the illustrations. I definitely enjoyed the story. It isn't always entertaining to "learn" about the seasons of the year. But if you sprinkle in enough kitten illustrations, I'm hooked.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

168. Kitty & Cat: Opposites Attract

Kitty & Cat: Opposites Attract. Mirka Hokkanen. 2023. [April] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence:  Old
new
big
little
grumpy
happy
energetic
exhausted

Premise/plot: The story is NOT lacking in this picture book starring two cats--an older cat and a kitten. Yes, the text is super-simple. But the illustrations are SO expressive, the story is communicated in just a few words per spread. 

My thoughts: I loved this one so much. It may be one of my favorite picture books of the year--so far. I have a feeling that whatever book I nominate for Cybils this year, it will likely star a cat. I highly recommend this one to cat lovers of all ages!

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

79. Ten Little Excavators

10 Little Excavators. Annie Bailey. Illustrated by Jeff Harter. 2022. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ten little excavators wake up with the sun. Can't wait to work--Vrooom! Now it's time for fun. Ten little excavators digging up a line. One breaks a pipe--Sploosh! Now there are....nine. Nine little excavators--work is going great! One throws a track--Smack! Now there are....eight. 

Premise/plot: Want to count backwards with excavators? This is the board book for you. The story is kept to a minimum. There isn't much plot--just plain and simple subtraction.

My thoughts: Construction vehicles--in particular excavators--can be super popular with little ones. This is a concept book with construction vehicles. What you see is what you get.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. How Many Squirrels Are In the World?

How Many Squirrels Are in the World? Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G). 2023. [February] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: How many squirrels are in the world?
I'm looking high
I'm looking low
I'm counting squirrels
everywhere I go

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A little girl (and company) attempt to count how many squirrels are in the world. It's a daunting task, for sure, but a fun start to a counting book. This one counts to about twenty. The plot is minimal, but, what plot there is--is fun.

My thoughts: I like this one. I like it better after searching out the song that came before and 'inspired' this one. (You can find it on YouTube. Same name as the picture book).

I perhaps would have liked this one more if it had punctuation.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

64. Yellow LIke a Submarine, Purple Like the Rain

Board book: Yellow Like a Submarine, Purple Like the Rain: A Rocking Book of Colors. Duopress Labs. Art by John Coulter. 2022. April. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Yellow like a submarine, purple like the rain...
...the world is full of colors rocking all around.

Premise/plot: This is a rock-inspired color concept books for music loving parents (and grandparents) to share with the little ones in their lives. It is a board book. The colors introduced are red, blue, black, white, silver, green, yellow,  and pink. Rainbows are also celebrated with a nod to neglected colors like orange and purple. 

Here is how red is introduced:

Red is for 99 Red Balloons soaring over Strawberry Fields on a Ruby Tuesday.

My thoughts: I liked this color concept board book. It does list the songs and artists mentioned throughout the book. Definitely this list is more for adults (obviously). While parents may choose this board book because of the "rock" theme, little ones can enjoy the hands-on experience of lap-time of read aloud time. 

Part of me is annoyed (slightly) that there is no author listed. It is never a good sign when publishers are like, well, the author just doesn't matter--no credit needs to be given. That being said, the book is bright and colorful. The text is more than adequate for teaching colors. Some spreads have a better rhythmic flow--I love the red example--than others. But overall, I definitely liked it.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

55. Night Train, Night Train

Night Train, Night Train. Robert Burleigh. Illustrated by Wendell Minor. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Train ride! Bump-bump. Chug-chug. Slow. Faster. Faster. Off we go.

Premise/plot: A little boy goes on a train ride...at night. This picture book is told in rhyming verse.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love the illustrations. I do. But I--as an adult who isn't particularly a train enthusiast--was disappointed with the rhythm and rhyme of the text. I guess part of me was hoping it would be more like Freight Train...only at night. This one does focus on colors--gray, black, red, blue, white, orange, purple, green, yellow.

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

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

160. A House

A House. Kevin Henkes. 2021. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: A house. Where is the door? What color is it?

Premise/plot: Kevin Henkes' newest book is A House. What you see is what you get--a simple drawing of a house, simple questions, very little--if any--plot. And yet despite its simplicity and repetitive nature it manages to ask and answer the question, "When does a house become a home?" It's an indirect question, to be sure.

My thoughts: Critics seem to love, love, love this one. It's received multiple starred reviews, and has even been called brilliant.

It is simple. It starts out asking extremely basic questions about the concepts of colors and shapes. It moves beyond those concepts to others--night and day, different types of weather, etc. But it isn't until towards the end where those questions become a bit more abstract. The people are drawn or rendered more like toys--think Fisher-Price Little People, old school--than actual people. I haven't decided if that is charming or weird. On the one hand, perhaps the house is a toy house??? On the other hand??? I don't have one. If it's not a toy house in a child's room and the author is playing around with us--the readers--then it's just strange.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

120. CATastrophe! A Story of Patterns

CATastrophe! A Story of Patterns. Ann Marie Stephens. Illustrated by Jenn Harney. 2021. [August] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The bait is packed and the boat is waiting. This hungry crew wants to catch some dinner.

Premise/plot: This picture book stars a crew of CATS eagerly wanting to catch some fish for dinner. This concept book is all about PATTERNS. IF the cats are to be successful they will have to reliably and consistently be able to integrate patterns into their plans...

My thoughts: It is a thinly veiled story. BUT on the plus side, if you're going to be doing math, better math WITH KITTIES than without. I didn't love, love, love this one as a story. I liked it. I think for those looking for concept picture books about patterns for young readers--preschoolers through kindergarten--it would be a good fit.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

56. Colors: My First Pop-Up

Board book: Colors My First Pop Up. Matthew Reinhart. Art by Ekaterina Trukhan. 2021. [May] 12 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: My favorite color is red. It's ladybugs and cherries, lobsters and berries. 

Premise/plot: What do you need to know about this one? It's a concept board book--the concept being colors. It's for toddlers who are careful with books or preschoolers who don't mind revisiting colors. It has some pop-ups thought not for each spread. There are some additional interactions--tabs to pull, flaps to lift, etc. The text is simple and predictable.

My thoughts: To be honest, I felt that some of the features were a little too hard to manipulate properly. I get the idea that things weren't moving as smoothly as they should to get the full effect of the illustrations. In particular I had a horrible time with the duck pop-up. And the frog pop-up was difficult as well. Though to be fair, once I did eventually get the frog to jump out of the log, it stayed unstuck. Maybe I just didn't work hard enough to get the ducks swimming properly.

I think this one should probably be a supervised activity unless you just don't care how long the book lasts. But the book retails at close to $15 so I'm just not sure why you would buy the book (at least full price) if your little one tends to be rough at handling books. I think there are probably better books if you're looking just for a good, solid books about colors. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

55. Comparrotives

Board book: Comparrotives. Janik Coat.  2021. [June] 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Noisy....noisier

Premise/plot: Comparrotives is a nonfiction concept book for little ones 'teaching' about comparative adjectives. Each spread features a PARROT illustrating the two. Think: messy AND messier, sleepy AND sleepier, etc. The illustrations really make this book work.

My thoughts: Apparently this book is part of a larger series (thought not all star a parrot of course). Other books include Hippopposites, Rhymoceros, and Llamaphones.

I think the concept being taught could be appreciated by a wider audience than just toddlers and preschoolers. For example, when you're learning to write and compose in elementary school (first, second, third, etc.) I'm not sure school teachers would want a board book to illustrate the concept or not.

I thought the book was surprisingly funny. Perhaps if I'd read the other books in the series I'd have had a better idea what to expect.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46. Ten Baskets of Biscuits

Ten Baskets of Biscuits. Kelly Kazek. Illustrated by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde. 2021. [April] 32 pages. [Best guess on pages][Source: Online YouTube video]

First sentence: The night before visiting Grandma Charley couldn't close her eyes. She was just too excited and full of butterflies.

Premise/plot: Charley is so very excited to be visiting her Grandma that she can't sleep. Her mom suggests that instead of counting sheep (to fall asleep) she should count the things she'll see at Grandma's house. Thus the counting begins:

One big Grandma kiss
And one big Grandma hug
That smelled like biscuits
And felt like love.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I discovered it on YouTube. It appears to be the whole book. I could be wrong. But we do get all ten numbers. I'm confident that even if it wasn't the whole book exactly, my thoughts are so strong--LOVE, LOVE, LOVE--that I think any missing content wouldn't change my mind.

I love books that highlight the super-special-strong bond between grandparents and grandchildren. I love the imagery in this one. We get quite an idea of what this Grandma is all about! And the book is highlighting Southern grandmas. I love the narrative. Books written in rhyme don't always work well for me. I can be a bit harsh and judgmental if they don't. A rhyming book needs to really be a great read aloud. It needs to feel natural--not forced--and authentic--not fake. This one excels!

It was a sweet read. It captures dozens of joyful moments. And to be fair, the smell of gluten does resemble the feeling of love.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers