47. How To Draw a Happy Cat

How To Draw A Happy Cat. Ethan T. Berlin. Illustrated by Jimbo Matison. 2022. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Learning how to draw a happy cat is fun and easy! First, draw two rounded triangles. Next, draw two triangles for ears and two big dots for eyes. Then add a triangle for a nose and lines for stripes and whiskers. Now, draw legs and a tail. Add some color! Finally, add a mouth. Hmm, she doesn't look very happy. What do you think she wants?

Premise/plot: Will this newly drawn cat ever be happy and stay happy? Or will this cat keep the illustrator busy drawing more, more, more, more. This story soon becomes quite elaborate and silly. 

My thoughts: I love cats. I do. I was immediately drawn to this one--pun intended--because of the cover. I like the silliness of this one. It is cute, funny, a bit ridiculous. I love the interactive nature of this one.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sparky & Spike

Sparky & Spike: Charles Schulz and The Wildest, Smartest Dog Ever. Barbara Lowell. Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. 2019. Cameron Kids. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sparky's dog, Spike, is a white dog with black spots. He's the wildest and smartest dog ever. Spike rings the doorbell to come inside. He only drinks from the bathroom faucet. And he knows more than fifty words.

Premise/plot: This picture book stars a young--very young--Charles Schulz, a.k.a "Sparky." Sparky loves, loves, loves his dog. But he's also interested in drawing. He is especially interested in drawing cartoons. But it isn't easy--will he ever be good enough to get published?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is not a picture book biography necessarily. Though it is biographical. Readers catch a glimpse of Schulz as a young boy with a dream. Perhaps readers will have dreams of their own that seem--at this moment--impossible. This is a great inspirational read. And I personally LOVE Peanuts and Snoopy.

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This Is My Book!

This Is My Book! Mark Pett. 2016. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My name is Mark Pett, and THIS IS MY BOOK! I am the author, and that means I get to write all the words. I am also the illustrator, so I get to make all of the pictures, too. Here, I'll draw something. This is Percy the Perfectly Polite Panda. He's going to help me explain the rules of my book. "I prefer to be called Spike." I drew you. I get to name you.

Premise/plot: Once Mark draws SPIKE, the book ceases to be his book. Though I must say Mark fights valiantly for sole control throughout. Spike--and those Spike draws--soon have a say in the action and characterization. Who does this book really belong to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I don't love metafiction for the sake of metafiction. But I happened to enjoy this one. (Though I'm not sure I enjoyed it more than Ryan T. Higgins' Be Quiet. I loved, loved, loved that book so much!!!) Spike is a super-fun character who loves the creative process of making a book. He disagrees with Mark on almost every page. I liked it best when Spike decided the book needed a flap and a pop-up.

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

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers