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

101. Elvis & Romeo

101. Elvis & Romeo. David Soman and Jacky Davis. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, dogs, friendship]

First sentence: Elvis was on his way to the dog park for the first time. So was Romeo. Romeo couldn't wait to make a new friend.

Premise/plot: Elvis & Romeo are not friends yet....but they soon will be after meeting at the dog park.

My thoughts: I read two Elvis & Romeo early readers earlier this month. This picture book is their origin story--or the origin story of their friendship. All three books appear to be published in 2025. If you are a dog lover, this picture book is super cute and adorable. Elvis and Romeo each have personality. It's an enjoyable introduction to this duo.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

96-97. Two Elvis & Romeo Early Readers

96. Elvis and Romeo Visit the Vet. David Soman. Illustrated by Jacky Davis. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [animal fantasy, early reader, ready to read level 1, three stars]

First sentence: Hi, Elvis! Hi, Romeo!

Premise/plot: Elvis does NOT want to be at the vet. Romeo is trying to convince his friend that the vet isn't that bad because the vet gives treats after the visit. Will Elvis be convinced?

My thoughts: The illustrations of Elvis and Romeo are CUTE and adorable and lovely. The story itself is super-simple. Two dogs at the vet. Speech bubbles reveal their dialogue/conversation.

I liked this one well enough. It is a ready-to-read reader, level 1. At this level usually any plot you get is a treat. So this DOES have a plot and it DOES have characters. So for being a level one reader, it's good. That being said, leveled readers are never going to be super incredible most amazing thing ever reads. So recommended for the target audience for sure.

97. Elvis and Romeo Go To Dog School. David Soman. Illustrated by Jacky Davis. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library]  [animal fantasy, early reader, ready to read level 1, four stars]

First sentence: Elvis and Romeo were at their first day of dog school. Are you ready to learn new things, Romeo? I know a lot of things already. I know how to stay. Do you know how to do that, Elvis?

Premise/plot: Elvis and Romeo are attending dog school. Both dogs have a chance to playfully show off to one another. Elvis teaches Romeo how to catch a ball.

My thoughts: I read both Elvis and Romeo Visit the Vet and Elvis and Romeo Go to Dog School in one sitting. The dog school book has a bit more plot. There are more moments for humor. I liked both books well enough. I do think the illustrations of Elvis and Romeo are cute and adorable. I think for young dog lovers, these two books will be quite appealing. They are level one ready-to-read early readers. There is some plot, but, keep in mind they are early readers.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

80-81. Two Animal Board books

 80. Board book: Cute Cats: A Lift the Flap Book. Christie Williams. 2025. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board book, cats, pets]

First sentence: Rupert likes a long nap. His favourite spot? A nice warm lap! Leo leaps to catch a fish. Will it make it to his dish? 

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get! Cute cats, cute cats, and more cute cats. Little ones will meet Rupert, Leo, Snowflake, Milo, Coco and Luna. Parents can read the last page of the book to get question ideas to ask while little ones while they read. Questions like, "What's the funniest thing you've seen a cat do?"

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was cute. It was sweet. It was simple. Rhyming text. Flaps to lift. It was a solidly good read IF you are looking for a cat-themed board book to share with toddlers. Don't expect a story, a plot. But what you do have are cute cats being cute.

81. Board book: Cute Dogs: A Lift the Flap Book. Christie Williams. 2025. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board book, dogs, pets]

First sentence:  Pug likes chewing on a shoe. Let's see what her friend Tom can do. 

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get! This one is similar to Cute Cats, except obviously DOGS. Simple rhyming text. Flaps to lift. Cute dogs being cute. This one is slightly different in that it highlights the dog TOM in most of the text. The dogs your little one will be meeting: Tom, Max, Tilly, Charlie, Pug, and Milo.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Again, IF you have a little one that loves pets--cats, dogs, then this one is a delightfully cute read. Short. Simple. Cute. I do like the question section at the end. I'm not sure it's absolutely necessary, however, it is nice. It might prove a useful reminder to parents that yes they can ask questions while reading to keep the experience interactive and engaging.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

59. Rosemary Long Ears

59. Rosemary Long Ears. Susie Ghahremani. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, dogs, 4 stars]

First sentence: "Let's go find some fun!" Rosemary springs past her best friend with long ears flapping up and down...up and down...like wings flying! Nose to the ground, she sniffs this way, she searches that way, her long ears following along.

Premise/plot: Rosemary the dog with LONG ears has a messy, messy day and needs a bath by the end of it.

My thoughts: Rosemary Long Ears is exactly what you'd expect it to be. A LOVELY picture book starring a long-eared dog that is super-adorable and delightful. Rosemary and her human are out for a walk, and on the walk she gets SUPER dirty. Many adventures are had. Some of the narrative style reminds me of the early Pete the Cat books. 

I enjoyed this one. I think it's a good fit for young readers that enjoy dog stories.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Little Freddie Two Pants

37. Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, humor]

First sentence: Oh, Freddie! Why are you wearing two pants? Two pants is too many pants. Freddie! Where are you going? Come back here. Freddie! Now you're wearing THREE pants. Three pants is too many pants, too! You should not wear so many pants.

Premise/plot: Love humorous books starring dogs? Little Freddie Two Pants might be a great choice. Freddie, our extremely silly hero, is giving the narrator quite a time!

My thoughts: Little Freddie Two Pants will have definite appeal--to a certain crowd. It is over-the-top silly and features a dog wearing pants (and underwear). There's also a monkey sidekick. The running gag is wearing pants (and underwear) on one's head. Again, I think for the right crowd this one will allow for plenty of giggling. I enjoyed it because it is silly and doesn't take itself too seriously. That's not always the case with picture books. Sometimes it's good not to have a message pounded in your head.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

34. This Dog. That Dog (Board book)

 

34. Board book: This Dog. That Dog. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [dogs, pets, board book, 5 stars]

First sentence: This dog has stripes. That dog has spots. This dog is good. That dog is not. This dog's speedy. That dog's slow. Here's a third pup. Go, go, go!!! This dog's brave. Woof! That dog's scared.

Premise/plot:  This board book stars DOGS, dogs, and more dogs. The story is told in rhyming text. The text often highlights basic concepts--like opposites. Not every two-page spread necessarily is tied to a specific concept. It is not so much concept-driven as silly doggy driven.

My thoughts: Love dogs? Love rhyming texts? This is a fun read aloud to share with the youngest of young readers. Definitely recommended.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

135. Good Rosie!

Good Rosie. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. 2018. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars] [graphic novel, early reader]

First sentence: Rosie lives with George. Rosie is a good dog.

Premise/plot: Rosie is a good dog. Not all the dogs readers meet in Good Rosie are good, mind you. The plot of this one is that Rosie--for better or worse--is being taken to the dog park to make friends. Rosie has no interest in this, especially at first. Rosie may just change her mind, though perhaps it isn't the best decision?

My thoughts: Appearances can be deceiving. Truly. What starts off as a happy-go-lucky story of a dog and her owner turns dark and then in the blink of an eye, readers are supposed to believe that all is well again. The subject matter (or is it theme?????) is HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS (if you're a dog). Maurice is LOUD and BIG and let's just say he makes some truly despicable, potentially life-ending decisions, however, because the tone of the book is supposed to be happy, merry, lovely, Rosie must make friends with Maurice. Poor Fifi! Granted, I don't *love* tiny yippy dogs either, but, Fifi and Rosie should have stuck together. Why did their trauma bond have to expand to include Maurice?????? 

Definitely my least favorite Kate DiCamillo.

 

© 2024 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

105. Schnozzer & Tatertoes Take a Hike

Schnozzer & Tatertoes #1: Take a Hike. Rick Stromoski. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

First sentence: Go, baby, Go! Faster! Faster! You can do it!

Premise/plot: Two dogs--Schnozzer and Tatertoes--go on an adventure in Rick Stromoski's graphic novel for young readers. It is a graphic novel early chapter book. The dogs set off to find Tatertoes' mother, but they don't know the way--not even slightly. As a result of being lost (and somewhat unintelligent in a supposed-to-be-lovable way), the two experience some misadventures along the way.

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one more than I actually did. I'd be curious how children respond/react to this one. I think it could very well be appealing to the target audience. The book is undoubtedly silly. As an adult, I found the silliness to be over-the-top to the point of being ridiculous. However, maybe kids would not find the silliness to be too much. Reading is so subjective.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

104. Sketty and Meatball

Sketty and Meatball. Sarah Weeks. Illustrated by Alex Willmore. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [I Can Read Level 1] [5/5 Stars]

First sentence: Sketty and Meatball do everything together. They play together. They bark together. 

Premise/plot: Sketty and Meatball are the super cute, adorable stars of this I Can Read Level 1 early reader. These two dogs love to do everything together. They are always asking one another, Are you thinking the same thing I'm thinking??? The answer is almost always yes. In this adventure, these two are looking for something "new" to do. They end up at a DOG SHOW. 

My thoughts: This one was SUPER fun and enjoyable. It was a great early reader. I liked the repetitiveness of the catch phrases, the predictability of the plot, the fun characters. There is a balancing that must be done in early readers--the balance between being simple, basic, structured, written with the intent to be read by a certain age and skill level WHILE being entertaining and appealing enough that young readers WANT to keep turning the pages. 

I read the digital library book of this one that came with audio. I did read it on my own without turning the audio on. I did reread the story with the audio on so I could listen to it as well. The audio added some nice touches in regards to special effects.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

83-84. Pet Books

83. How to Love a Kitten. Michelle Meadows. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On the farm, we run and play. I kick the ball. It rolls away. Under the porch, I bend down low. No ball in sight. Where did it go? A broken toy. A silver pail. Then something moves. Is that a tail? I call out, "Hey--Look what I found! Four kittens and a cat curled around."

Premise/plot: A young girl [and her family] finds a mama cat with new kittens. The family "rescue" her and help care for the mama cat and all the kittens. They are hopeful that they will find the owner of the mama cat since she has a collar and is super-friendly (as opposed to feral). Will all the cats find homes? 

My thoughts: This is an enjoyable beginning reader. This is an "I Can Read It All By Myself" beginning book. It stars plenty of ADORABLE, SWEET, LOVABLE kitties. This would be a good fit for anyone who enjoys cat or kitten stories. 

84. Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The visitor's came to Stephen's yard one otherwise ordinary summer night. Quietly and carefully, they went about their work, collecting, bagging, and tagging specimens. Then very suddenly, they had company. The visitors raced to reboard their ship. One of the visitors wasn't quite quick enough. So one was left behind.

Premise/plot: What happens when an alien dog--a Dalmartian--is left behind on earth? Dalmartian chronicles his adventures as he adapts to life on a strange planet and becomes bonded with a human boy. 

My thoughts: I never thought this was a story I "needed," however I thoroughly enjoyed it! I enjoyed the narration. I really loved the illustrations. It is an unusual, strange but lovely twist on the familiar boy gets a dog story. I absolutely loved some of the spreads such as when the Dalmartian discovers bacon for the first time!!! 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

43. The Great Puptective

The Great Puptective. Alina Tysoe. 2024. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One day, Sasha the human came home with a strange box. I think it's about time that Truffles got a friend.

Premise/plot: Early chapter book in "graphic novel" format. (In other words, an illustrated chapter book with plenty of speech bubbles showing the dialogue). Truffles is not thrilled that his new "friend" is an enthusiastic puppy named Poppy. Poppy considers herself an amateur detective always on the case. Cases seem to find her most of the time, even if they aren't really proper cases. Truffles may just have enough of Poppy one of these days....

My thoughts: I really LOVED the characters Poppy and Truffles. The book is silly, cute, fun. I loved how the story unfolded throughout the book. Definitely reminded me of old school Garfield and Friends episodes in the best way possible. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

303-309. Picture Book Parade

303. I Want 100 Dogs. Stacy McAnulty. Illustrated by Claire Keane. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: I want 100 dogs.
That sounds fun. But where would 100 dogs sleep?

Premise/plot: A little girl declares she wants 100 dogs, but are her parents receptive to this idea????? As the discussion unfolds, will they be able to reach a compromise????

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I love that they reason through this scenario. It allows for some amusing imagery and illustrations. I love the ending as well. Very cute! The parents say something...and then the child says something. Very satisfying. Yes, I know this is super-super-super vague. But I also think giving it away before you pick up the book is like a movie trailer where ALL the best lines of the movie are revealed--albeit without context. Trust me this one is fun.

 

304. The Bear and Her Book. Frances Tosdevin. 2023. [November] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: A bear marched out on a moonlight night.
Her fur was thick, and her eyes were bright.
She sniffed the air, and she licked a paw--
she loved her home, but she wanted more...

Premise/plot: Bear wants MORE so she sets out to see the world one adventure at a time. She takes along with her a book BEAR'S BIG BOOK OF BEING WISE. She uses the book throughout as she meets others and encounters various situations. Will Bear ever settle down?

My thoughts: I liked this one. Bear loves books and living life to the fullest. Most of the book is about her world adventures, but, that's not quite how it ends. I liked that it includes both kinds of adventures--real world and bookish.

305. Out Cold (A little Bruce book) Ryan T. Higgins. 2023. [October 3] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: It is wintertime in Soggy Hollow, and there are lots of fun things to do outside. But Bruce is not outside. He is inside. With a cold. The mice are inside, too. But not for long. "It was so nice of Bruce to send us outside to play in the snow," says Nibbs. 

Premise/plot: Bruce stars in this "little" picture book. This one is part of a much larger series. There are bigger picture books and littler ones. (Some of the books focus around seasons, holidays, occasions.) These are recurring characters that continue to delight.

My thoughts: READ THE WHOLE SERIES. Read them again again again. I absolutely love, love, love these characters. Bruce is so relatable. I imagine his "children" are as well. (The children being mice.) I love how expressive the illustrations are. These books such great fun. 

306. Just One Flake. Travis Jonker. 2023. [October 10] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: I want to catch a snowflake. Just one snowflake. Right here: [points to his tongue] I'm not going back inside until I do it. This should work.

Premise/plot: Will our protagonist [a little boy] persevere and actually actually catch a snowflake on his tongue? Or will his many, many efforts be in vain? Will this day in the snow be a happy one? What's the perfect end to the day?

My thoughts: I absolutely LOVE the illustrations. Some of the spreads capture pure JOY and HAPPINESS. It is a fun, sweet seasonal story. 

307. A Very Cranky Book. Angela and Tony DiTerlizzi. 2023. [September] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Did you look at my cover and think Wow this looks like a book I should pick up and read? Well, that was the worst idea in the HISTORY OF IDEAS. Because I am a very cranky book.

Premise/plot: The protagonist of this book is a VERY CRANKY BOOK. This is written in second person, the book is speaking directly to you, the reader. The book tries to discourage readers from reading him.

My thoughts: I didn't dislike this one. I just wasn't wowed. Of course, not every book will wow every reader. This one is all about 'breaking the fourth wall' and speaking directly to readers and "interacting" with them. It is very much premise driven. There isn't much substance beyond that gimmick. Of course, some may be amused by this one? It's certainly possible that there is an audience for this type of book. (And this isn't the first or last to use this gimmick.) 

308. The Big Cheese. Jory John. Illustrated by Peter Oswald. 2023. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: They call me Cheese. The Big Cheese. Oh, say it with me please....THE BIG CHEESE! 

Premise/plot: This one is narrated by a cheese with a big ego. He spends 90 percent of the book being insufferable. Then he learns a lesson. (Will it stick?)

My thoughts: I am not a big fan of Jory John's 'food' series. I know some readers are. I know these books often do well and are well received. All seem to have a didactic message or moral attached. (Yet they do well anyway). I don't dislike the series, it's just not a favorite of mine. 

309. Lullaby for The King. Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Michelle Carlos. 2023. [October 10] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: One magnificent morning in Israel,
when the sun warmed the Great Salt Sea,
word spread to every living creature:
The Holy One has, at last, been born.
A season of celebration can begin!

Premise/plot: This holiday book focuses almost exclusively on animals. This isn't unheard of, there are other songs, stories, books about animals worshipping Jesus Christ the newborn King of the universe. Sometimes authors choose to approach the nativity from an animal perspective. This isn't one animal's journey or perspective. Each stanza of this narrative focuses on another animal or group of animals. Each animal bears a gift for Jesus. There are a LOT of animals and a LOT of gifts.

My thoughts: This one is unusual. I haven't decided if it's good unusual or just unusual. I wanted to love this one. I've really enjoyed Nikki Grime's books in the past. The illustrations are bright, bold, striking. Not necessarily realistic. The imagery is substantive. This isn't a cutesy story for toddlers and preschoolers necessarily.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

302. 10 Dogs

10 Dogs. Emily Gravett. 2023. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: 10 dogs. 10 sausages. 1 dog with all the sausages. 9 dogs with none. 2 dogs each with half of them. 8 dogs wanting some. 3 dogs with more sausages. 7 dogs with less. 4 dogs guard the sausages. 6 dogs not impressed.

Premise/plot:  Is it a story? Is it a math lesson? Why not both? This makes for a fun early-elementary read aloud. Back in the day I wouldn't be surprised if teachers had chosen to extend the book's activity with flannel figures--dogs and sausages. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I thought it was fun, playful. I don't always "love" math problems, but an entertaining story with sausages and dogs???? YES please. 

Definitely recommend this one to early grades.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

283. Critter Cam: Puppy Cam

Puppy Cam. Margie Palatini. Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. 2023. [August] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Early Reader]

First sentence: Ball? Get the ball! Get the ball! Get the ball!

Premise/plot: The dog in this one is wearing a camera on his helmet. This camera will provide readers with a unique point of view. This is very much a day-in-the-life of perspective of a fun-loving pup. Fortunately this is a forward-facing camera.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I don't know that I loved it as much as the Critter Cam early reader starring the cat. But it was good fun. I think young dog lovers will appreciate this one. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

261. Cat vs. Vac

Cat vs. Vac (Ready to Read Level 1) Kaz Windness. 2023. [August] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader]

First sentence: Door crack. Sunbeam.
Cat stretch. Daydream.

Premise/plot: What happens when a family's pets accept a delivery package and the humans aren't home? This early reader imagines such an event. The delivery is a vacuum cleaner. And it is ENEMY and FOE. Who will win the day? 

My thoughts: I did not like this one at all. I expected to. I just REALLY did not. This one doesn't have a complete sentence in the whole book. It just doesn't. It is told in rhyme. You can rhyme and write in more complete sentences. Perhaps it isn't just the fragmentation--which is a stylistic choice, for sure. There are two things that didn't quite sit right with me...personally. First, I think the author made a list of all the things that COULD be appealing to young readers--namely boys in my imagination, but perhaps young girls as well. POOP. PEE. UNDERWEAR, etc. Then I think the author tried to include as many as possible.

Vac VROOM,
Vac SCHLOOP!
Vac eat cat poop.
Vac chase. Dog WEE!
Vac GLURP dog pee.

 Such wonderful literature, right??? For those that are offended by animals--pets--in underwear, be warned. (This isn't a deal breaker for me.)

Second, I think the illustrations just aren't my cup of tea. Perhaps they will be yours. Again, illustrations are completely subjective.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

196. Dogtown

Dogtown (A Dogtown Book #1) Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 2023. [September] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Animal fantasy; J Fiction; MG Fiction]

First sentence: I know what you're thinking: That poor dog only has three legs. But don't go there. It's not that bad, okay? So, I'm not American Kennel Club material. Big deal. My eyes are sharp, my nose is wet, my coat puppy soft, and the white patch over my eye? It's a charmer, I don't mind saying. My name is Chance. I'm pleased to meet you.

Premise/plot: Dogtown is an animal shelter (dog shelter). It features dog-dogs and robot-dogs. (Presumably, this animal fantasy is futuristic animal fantasy). It stars Chance, our LOVABLE, adorable, super-kind hero. He's long been a resident at Dogtown. This is the story of his friendships at Dogtown. In particular, how he made [close] friendships with two unlikely residents: a mouse (named Mouse) and a robot dog, Metal Head. The book contains their adventures/misadventures.  

My thoughts: Does this one feature a dog in peril? Yes and no. No, in that it isn't just one dog in peril. It is DOGS (plural) in peril. Though this one doesn't feature direct-direct sads, it features plenty of potential peril. Does it have heart and substance? A thousand times yes. I loved, loved, loved, loved this one so much. I LOVE the emotional journey of this one. Very feel-good. Very warm-and-cozy. Yet not instant. Do I see myself rereading it? YES. I already want to reread it. I could reread it a million times and still be moved by how awesome it is.

I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved EVERYTHING. 

My favorite, favorite, favorite element of this one is the inclusion of the BOOK BUDDY program. Pairing school-age children with shelter-dogs for reading time. These scenes were HEART-MELTING. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

194. Cinderella With Dogs

Cinderella with Dogs! Linda Bailey. Illustrated by Freya Hartas. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book; fairy tale adaptation; humor; dogs and cats]

First sentence: Poor Cinderella, lonely and sad, was sweeping the ashes from the fireplace. Everyone else had gone off to the ball to dance. She had to stay home--and work! Poor Cinderella never went anywhere. She never had a single bit of fun. Ever! "If only I had a fairy godmother," she said. 

Premise/plot: A Cinderella retelling with a fairy DOGmother! This fairy dogmother has her own ideas of how to fulfill Cinderella's wishes. And her ideas include CHASING SQUIRRELS, running, playing, fetching ball, etc. Will this dog-loving Cinderella still make an impression at the dance? Yes....just maybe not in the traditional way.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I loved seeing all the cats, dogs, and squirrels. I loved the humor. I loved the twists. It was an enjoyable, delightful fairy tale adaptation. I think my favorite part was her 'transformation' by her dogmother! 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

192. Pepper & Boo: Paws Up for the Joy!

Pepper & Boo: Paws Up for Joy! Charise Mericle Harper. 2023. [February] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Twelve paws like to celebrate. Four paws belong to Pepper. Four paws belong to Boo. Four paws belong to the Cat. The Cat is excited. It has been raining for five whole days. But today the sun is shining! It is a special day.

Premise/plot: Joy looks different to these three friends. Pepper and Boo--being dogs--like things their way. Cat--being a cat--likes things her way. Cat spends most of the book OUTSIDE experiencing much joy. Pepper and Bo spend most of the book inside experiencing joy as well. Much of their joy is in being free of Cat. 

My thoughts: It was okay. That's the best I can say about this third entry in the series. It wasn't great. It wasn't awful. Not much happens--that's all. Which is fine. If you love, love, love the characters then perhaps it's still quite enjoyable to have sixty-four pages of not much happening. There's nothing wrong with having characters carry the story and do much of the 'heavy-lifting.' 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers