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

6. Earl & Worm: The Big Mess

6. Earl & Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories. Greg Pizzoli. 2025. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: It was spring. Worm was cleaning her house. Worm loved to clean. She loved things neat. She loved things tidy.

Premise/plot: Earl and Worm are best friends. This is their second adventure. There are three stories in this book, "The Big Mess," "The Lucky Penny," and "The Sunrise."

In "The Big Mess" Earl helps Worm clean house. Worm's newly cleaned house soon acquires some of Earl's mess. "The Lucky Penny" has Earl finding a penny. But will the penny be a lucky or unlucky penny?! "The Sunrise" has Earl and Worm staying up all night so they can watch the sunrise together.

My thoughts: My favorite story is "The Big Mess." It was a GREAT story. I loved it so much. The other stories were good too.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

5. Pizza and Taco Go Viral

5. Pizza and Taco Go Viral (Pizza and Taco #10) Stephen Shaskan. 2026. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, children's series]

First sentence: What are you watching?

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco are back in another adventure. (Is this really their tenth book?!?!?!) In this one, the two become obsessed with become StewTube stars. If they start a StewTube channel, can they make a video go viral?!?! What kind of videos should they make together?!?!

My thoughts: There isn't much substance in this one. To be fair, it has its amusing moments. They talk about famous StewTubers that they watch. This allows for some fun puns.

It isn't my favorite or best from the series, BUT, I do love Pizza and Taco as characters.



© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

106. Dance Pants (The Dog and Pony Show)

106. The Dog and Pony Show: Dance Pants. Jeff Mack. 2025. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, if the Cybils exist in 2026 which is questionable, this one would be eligible] [early reader, early comic]

First sentence: Look, Pony. I can dance!

Premise/plot: Dog loves, loves, loves to dance. Dog is wearing DANCE pants and having the time of his life. Pony doesn't particularly care to dance. But Dog is insistent. If Pony can't dance well, Pony needs pants, pants, pants, and more pants. But what if the PANTS Pony needs are DOG'S PANTS?!?!?!

My thoughts: This book had me laughing out loud. I'm not just saying that. I wouldn't lie about that. I found this book amusing, fun, silly. I couldn't help myself. Granted I was reading it later at night when I'm a bit sillier-minded. But still. This one was GREAT fun.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

77. Cool Buds To The Rescue

77. Cool Buds To the Rescue (I Can Read Comics Level 3). Barbara Lehman. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early graphic novel]

First sentence: Hello, new day!

Premise/plot: This I Can Read Level 3 early graphic novel stars a handful of arctic friends: Blue (Arctic fox) Puff (Atlantic Puffin), Tip (Arctic Hare), and Sealy (Harbor Seal). The story is quite simple: Tip is a stranded sailor in need of rescue. The other animals come to his rescue and welcome him to their community. Now that there's four it begins to feel like a 'real' town.

My thoughts:  Do I think this one would be good for kids to read? Sure. Yes. Of course. It is a graphic novel for younger readers who are just beginning to read on their own and picking up graphic novels. It includes a guide on how to read graphic novels--the panels, the bubbles, etc. The story is super simple. Not sure if this is the start of a series or perhaps several into a series. Have no idea if there's plan for more books starring these friends.

As an adult reader, it's not my favorite or best. But I do think for the intended audience it works.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party

  

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party. Lauren Stohler. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, early chapter book, early graphic novel]

First sentence: Attention, everyone! I have a very important announcement! Soon, I will be one hundred and thirty-three years old! I want to do three big things for my birthday, but I don't know what!

Premise/plot: Gnome and Rat are friends--best friends--starring in the early graphic novel Time to Party. Both Rat and Gnome have things to celebrate--Rat wants to have his own something to celebrate.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this early chapter book/early graphic novel. It is both. I didn't love, love, love, love, love this one as much as the first book. The first Gnome and Rat book really wowed me with how delightful, fun, and original it was. The second and third books (yes, I read them out of order) are nice--nice enough at the very least. I enjoyed the second book more than the third. I think early readers in the again-again-again series phase, will binge through all the books in the series.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

12. Gnome and Rat: First Snow

12. Gnome and Rat First Snow (Gnome and Rat #3) Lauren Stohler. 2024. [November] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

First sentence: A four-letter word for 'something fluffy and white, that falls overnight...'

Premise/plot: Gnome and Rat star in their third adventure together in Lauren Stohler's Gnome and Rat First Snow! Rat and Gnome have been invited to Rat's family event Nest Fest. But the journey to get there, well, it is packed with a lot of missteps and adventures. 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I haven't read the second book--still on order at the library. The third book is one I wanted to love: it sounds FUN. However, it just didn't charm and delight me like the first book. Though the misadventures were technically different/distinct, the journey to get there just seemed so slow-paced to me. Granted I am NOT the target audience, obviously. I do enjoy the characters. I will definitely read the second book when it arrives.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

5. Pizza and Taco: Coolest Club Ever

 

5. Pizza and Taco #9: Coolest Club Ever! Stephen Shaskan. 2025. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book, series book]

First sentence: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Ooh!

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco have starred in nine books together. In this ninth book in the series, Pizza and Taco are excited about starting an after school club, however, they are not the only students starting a club. Can these two have the coolest club ever? And just what should their club be about?

My thoughts: I have read all nine books in the series. Some I have loved, loved, loved. Some I've barely liked. Still this series has more hits than misses as far as I'm concerned. I think the little things that might keep me from "loving" or "gushing" about an individual title in the series probably wouldn't be an issue for the target audience. Series for this age group thrive on having readers who LOVE comfort, familiarity, and predictability. Book characters are FRIENDS. And there's something awesome about coming back again and again to spend time with beloved friends. 

I do recommend the series. I am always happy to pick up the newest book in the series. 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

132. We Are Up A Tree

132. We Are Up A Tree (The Dog and Pony Show #2) Jeff Mack. 2024. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [early reader, graphic novel]

First sentence: Look, Pony, a tree!
Yes, I see that.
Can I climb it?
You can try.

Premise/plot: Dog has his heart set on climbing a tree. Will it go well? Maybe. Maybe not. Pony is a super supportive friend....for better or worse. But these two undoubtedly have a LOT of fun in this adventure.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, love, love the first book in this series. These two characters won my heart in that book. I was so pleased to read this second book in the series. For me it isn't quite as magical as the first book. But it was still SO much fun. I love the expressiveness of the illustrations. I love the characters. I enjoyed the story. It still packed in plenty of silliness.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8). Stephen Shaskan. 2024. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [graphic novel, early reader, series book]

First sentence: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Premise/plot: It may just be September, but Pizza and Taco are ready for Christmas. They must prepare their letters to Santa Slaw early so they both have time to get on his nice list. The two friends write letters listing everything--and I do mean everything--they want for Christmas. But writing it on a list is no guarantee that you'll get it! (As these two ultimately learn). 

My thoughts: Their eagerness for Christmas is certainly relatable. This one is a fun enough read for young readers who enjoy this graphic novel series for early readers. This is the eighth book. Some have been great. Some have been good. Some have been meh. However, I always enjoy spending time with these two even if the plots here and there get weak in places.

 

 

© 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

103. The Greatest in the World (Tater Tales)

The Greatest In the World (Tater Tales #1) Ben Clanton. 2022. 88 pages. [Source: Library] [Star rating: 3/5]. 

First sentence: This is Rot Poe Tater. He's a mutant potato. 

Premise/plot: Rot, Snot, and Tot are siblings. This graphic novel chapter book series chronicles a series of contests to see who is THE GREATEST in the world. Tot, the little sister, is the judge of these contests. Rot and Snot are brothers fighting it out. 

My thoughts: I really did not like this one at all. Just not a good fit for me personally. But a good example of how a book can be not for you and still might be for someone else. This book no doubt will have fans from its target audience. There's an age group that will likely get the giggles over the names Snot and Rot.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

98-102. Early Chapter Books (Mostly)

98. Roger Takes a Chance. (Book Buddies #4) Cynthia Lord. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Roger was a toy chick that lived with his mother, Olive, on a shelf in Farmer Bickford's barn. Olive the hen liked the quiet of the barn. She was happy on the shelf watching the real pigs, chickens, and cows. "Just cozy up to me, my little chick," Olive would say to Roger. "The shelf is a safe home. And safe is best." Roger thought safe was boring. He wanted to do fun things. He wanted to go to new places.

Premise/plot: Olive and Roger become the newest pair of book buddies at the local library. Children can check out "book buddies" (Olive and Roger come as a pair--a velcroed pair) along with their books. Olive and Roger are checked out by kids whose family is going to the airport to pick up the grandpa. Roger is EXCITED. Airports could be VERY exciting indeed. Especially if he can get the velcro loose enough to escape from under the wing of Olive. But does he take his independence a little too far? 

My thoughts: I really LOVE the Book Buddies series by Cynthia Lord. I could not relate as much to Roger, however, I do with Olive! The book has a LOT of adventure. Seeing Roger on his own at the airport was very entertaining. I do like all the twists and turns this one takes. Highly recommend this series.

99. Monti and Leo: A Newcome in Pocketville. Sylvie Kantorovitz. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  There were four things Monti Mole loved to do in the morning. One, he welcomed the day. Two, he stopped by the Pocketville Bakery. Three, he visited the Pocketville Library. And four, before heading home for lunch, Monti settled on his favorite rock by the river and gazed peacefully at the water. It was a perfect routine! Until one day...

Premise/plot: Monti Mole's perfect life--perfect routine--is disrupted when Leo Lizard moves to town. But can change actually be a great thing? Is his life actually improved by Leo's arrival? Could Leo be the BEST BEST BEST friend Monti never knew he needed? Not everyone in town is thrilled with the newcomer. Some people are giving him the cold shoulder (if you will), can Monti help the others in town welcome Leo? 

This is an early chapter book, the first in a new series. It is told partly in graphic novel form. In other words, highly illustrated chapter book where the narrative is mostly (though not exclusively) told in dialogue--speech bubbles. The panels are well spaced and not confusing. I enjoyed this one very much. I would definitely be interested in reading more in the series. The book celebrates friendship--going above and beyond for a friend.

 

100. Dog Gets a Pet (Dog and Pony Show #1). Jeff Mack (Ready to Read Graphics Level 1). 2024. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look, Dog. I got you a pet. What is it Pony?

Premise/pot: Dog and Pony are friends. Pony surprises Dog with a pet. What kind of pet? The one Dog has always wanted? No. Not exactly. It is a rock. A pet rock. Will Dog be grateful? Maybe. Maybe not. Can he make the most of the situation? Perhaps with a little imagination. 

My thoughts: I loved this one so much because there is a certain exuberance to it. These characters leap off the pages. There is humor and liveliness. It is an early graphic novel. All of Pony's speech bubbles have an orange background. All of Dog's speech bubbles have a yellow background. It is a full story. I think it would be easy to identify the problem (and solution) and also identify character traits and track character growth. Plenty of places to stop and pause and ask what do you think will happen next.

101. Cornbread and Poppy for the Win (Cornbread and Poppy #4). Matthew Cordell. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was almost time! The annual Small Rodents Competitive Cycling Championship Classic--the SRCCCC--was tomorrow. Cornbread and Poppy had been training for months. Cornbread arrived at Poppy's house. He checked his watch.

Premise/plot: Poppy and Cornbread and excited about the upcoming bike race. Poppy is a LOT more excited than Cornbread. Perhaps competitive is the better description. But both are ready to participate and have been diligent in training. What will happen on race day? Can their friendship survive? Perhaps even thrive?

My thoughts: This one was SO funny. I have always enjoyed Poppy and Cornbread as characters. Most of the books at least. The one about the museum was a little dull. But this one had me laughing. It also has its sweeter moments between the two. There is a CARS moment, if you will.

102. Slice of Mallow (Slice of Mallow #1) Adam Foreman. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hi, I'm Mallow the Marshmallow. I can stretch! I can squish! I'm loveable! I'm excitable! Who are you talking to Mallow? The reader. The reader? Where? There!

Premise/plot: Slice of Mallow is a graphic novel early chapter book. It stars Mallow and friends--all foods, mostly except for the ghost). Is there a plot? Is having no plot a plot? 

My thoughts: I am NOT the target audience for this one. Notice how I didn't *have* to say that about the other early chapter books I reviewed today. Because though I am not the target age of the target audience, I thoroughly ENJOYED the books. This one offers little plot, little characterization, and overloads on the ridiculous silliness. Which may prove appealing to some readers--young readers. I just wanted my time back. And that is rare for me to say that about a book with so few pages.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

68-72. Early readers and early chapter books

68. Fox versus Fox. Corey R Tabor. 2024. [March] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hi, I am Fox! No, I am Fox. I am Fox, too! Hmm.

Premise/plot: Fox is starring in yet another adventure. In this newest book Fox is meeting another Fox--a white fox. Will these two foxes get along? become friends? Perhaps. 

My thoughts: This newest book has less adventure, perhaps it has less than a plot. It is enjoyable in that it stars FOX. I have really come to love, love, love this character. Fox is always having adventures and getting into trouble. In this one, it is just two foxes getting to know a little bit about each other. This is accomplished technically by action (as opposed to conversation). 

69. Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories. Jarvis. 2023. [October 10] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bird woke  up and made herself some tea. She was thinking about the argument from the day before. She couldn't quite remember what it was about. Something to do with a spoon. Bust she knew she had fallen out with Bear and needed a new best friend.

Premise/plot: Bear and Bird are friends--best friends. This is an early chapter book for young readers. It features four stories: "The Spoon," "The Cake," "The Rock," and "The Stars." In the first story, Bear and Bird start out in the middle of a fight. Bear is looking for a new best friend. Bird is looking for a new best friend. There's an exchange of [anonymous] letters where each is seeking a new best friend... In the second story, Bird makes Bear a cake....and Bear makes something far from a cake. In "The Rock" Bear and Bird go on the search for a new cake for their tea party. Things take a twist when the "rocks" start moving. In "The Stars," Bear and Bird are reflective about the good things in life. This conversation happens when they are stargazing.

My thoughts: I absolutely love, love, love, love, LOVE this early chapter book. Bear and Bird are delightful characters. The stories are enchanting in a delightful, lovely way. I just learned that this is the second book in the series. I will definitely be checking to see if the first book is at the library.

70. Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In. Kirk Reedstrom. 2024. [March] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ahhh. What a beautiful day. The sun is shining....the birds are chirping....the bees are buzzing....Blech. I hate it. I want some quiet.

Premise/plot: Moose meets Duck. Duck is SO different from Moose. Duck definitely knows how to liven things up a bit. Moose is a little reluctant to be friends with Duck....yet Duck may just win Moose over by the end. These two may even become best friends.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I don't know that I crazy loved it. However, it was, I believe, the first in a new series. The characters may very well grow on me if I keep reading the series. And this early chapter book is graphic novel. 

71. Duck and Moose: Moose Blasts Off. Kirk Reedstrom. 2024. [March] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I wonder where Moose is. 

Premise/plot: Moose is VERY imaginative in this one. (A bit out of character maybe from his introduction???) He loves to imagine he is an astronaut in space. Duck is NOT imaginative--at least not at first. (Again not how I'd imagine him to be based on the introduction). Moose is happy to imagine alone...Duck wants to be involved. But Duck's plans for playing together and Moose's plan conflict. Duck wants dinosaurs involved. Moose decidedly does not. Can these two friends stay friends when their imaginations go wild?

My thoughts: This one was silly. I enjoyed how the imaginings were illustrated. I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. Though I still don't know if I actually KNOW-KNOW the characters. But it was silly and fun. 

72. Happy Pudding. Kimberly Gee. 2023. [August] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Is that sunshine?

Premise/plot: Arlo invites friends over to celebrate the end of a storm. Sounds relatively predictable, right????

My thoughts: This book is WEIRD. W-E-I-R-D. Namely because Arlo has a stove that HAS A FACE and TALKS back to him (and sometimes sings). Arlo and Cooky (the stove) have a strong friendship. Arlo's friends seem unusual choices--but friendships can at times be unusual and unexpected. (I just never personally thought a rhino (that is what Arlo is???? isn't it????) would be good friends with a [tiny] worm. But really it is all about the talking stove to me. It was just a NO from the get go.

© 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

31-33. Service Pups in Training, 3 Books

31. Tucker's Nose Knows: An Allergen Detection Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Diego Vaisberg. 2023. 29 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Tucker is a poodle training to become an allergen detection dog. Poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic. That means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, it is Tucker who is the star. Tucker is learning to isolate out specific scents and give alerts when the allergen is detected. Apparently, Tucker learns different scents on different days of his training. This specific day he is on the scent for gluten. The story is told in comic book form. There are speech bubbles for dialogue.

My thoughts: I hope training is taken more seriously in real life. Each book focuses on puppies in training--but they are all classmates and friends. The training aspects seem a little unrealistic, not that there aren't dogs trained for allergen detection, just the method and process seems a little sketchy. 

The book is a meh for me. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. The artwork wasn't super amazing quality. 

32. Daphne Shows Support: An Emotional Support Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Alan Brown. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Daphne is a shih tzu puppy. She may be small, but she has a huge heart! She wants to help everyone, and the best way to do that is as an emotional support dog.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, Daphne is the star. Daphne is learning to be an emotional support dog. 

My thoughts: Will readers learn about how emotional support dogs are really trained? I doubt it. I am so skeptical of the methods and processes being depicted. Again just personal opinion. The message of this one is that you have to take care of your own needs first. That is, the dog, Daphne, must take care of her own emotional needs first before she can be good at her own job in helping others. Most of the book just has ALL the puppies (each being trained in their own specialty apparently) doing an agility course and there is a "celebrity" dog. The plot of this one is just weird.

33. Rossi Guides the Way: A Guide Dog Graphic Novel. Mari Bolte. Illustrated by Alan Brown. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Rossi is a yellow lab puppy. He's training to be a service dog like his great-grandma, Roselle. She's his hero.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. A puppy is in training to be a service dog. In this instance, Rossi is learning to be a guide dog. Rossi doesn't have a great training day and gives up--or wants to give up. Will Rossi be encouraged by Daphne to keep trying?

My thoughts: Readers may be more familiar with the concept of guide dogs. This one does focus more on teaching lessons to humans on how to human than it does provide information on how dogs are trained to be service dogs. The series [all three books] seem to have this didactic nature to them. This one is about how everyone makes mistakes and that's okay.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania

Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania (Pizza and Taco #7) Stephen Shaskan. 2024. [January] 72 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel; early reader/chapter book]

First sentence: What's up? Nothing. 

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco have a dilemma of sorts. Their moms (Pizza's mom and Taco's mom) want the two to join after school sports' clubs. The problem? Well, neither Pizza nor Taco like sports or want to play sports. The two do try out for wrestling, and, to be fair they do TRY their best to get into it. Will these two find the perfect after school activity?

My thoughts: This one is not my favorite or best in the series. (This is the seventh title in the series). Several chapters of this graphic novel focus on sports and wrestling. These may appeal to some readers. I liked the solution however. 

I think my favorite part of this one was learning that a Christmas book is coming at the end of 2024. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

301. Tig & Lily #2 Party Animals

Party Animals (Tig and Lily #2) Dan Thompson. 2023. [September] 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There is not much going on around here.

Premise/plot: Lily is loving her "boring" day. Napping seems to be the oh-so-perfect way to spend the day. Tig, her smaller companion "tiger," is BORED, BORED, BORED. Tig wants to have a party. He has everything figured out...or does he?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I absolutely loved, loved, loved the first book. The second book is good just not as good--for me. Lily is adorable being persistent as she tries and fails to invite the other zoo animals to the party. Still I think Lily would have preferred to stay asleep if given a real choice. But parties are always big in children's books...and naps are to be resisted.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

296-298 Early Chapter Books Parade

296. Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum (Cornbread & Poppy #3) Matthew Cordell. 2023. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  One crisp, clear winter's day, an exciting letter arrived. It was a special invitation for Cornbread, plus one guest of his choosing.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy are friends. But are they more than friends? I am not suggesting that this book is not age inappropriate by any means. I just think that Cornbread likes likes Poppy. In this one, Cornbread wants to take Poppy to the museum. For him it is thrilling and wonderful. For her, well, it is less so. Not that she dislikes his company, mind you. But well, the museum isn't thrilling, fun, amazing, wonderful. She could think of a lot better ways to entertain herself. She wants Cornbread to go camping with her. (He doesn't want to go camping.) 

My thoughts: The "plot" of this one is just as boring--in my opinion--as my summary suggests. Cornbread is distracted by all the "wonderful" "exciting" exhibits and Poppy is uninterested and just biding time. The day isn't uneventful, by any means, just a bit unevenly paced. It felt pretentious instead of quaint and charming. Still, these two mice are adorable. 

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two books. But I still like these characters.

297. Trim Sets Sail. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Some cats are happy curling up at home. Others look for adventure. This is the story of a kitten who was always ready to go.

Premise/plot: Historical animal fantasy in an early chapter book format. Loosely inspired by the real-llife "Trim" who lived in in the nineteenth century and sailed with explorer Matthew Flinders. In this one, the first in a series, Trim is learning about life on board ship and meeting all sorts. 

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one because CATS. It wasn't quite entertaining enough for me personally but I still like the premise of imagining adventures about this explorer cat. Perhaps future books in the series will develop things more. This was very introduction-y and world-building.

298. Trim Helps Out. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. [October 24] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Trim was a brand-new ship's cat. It was his first morning at sea. He wanted to do a good job. But trim wondered, How can I help?

Premise/plot: Trim wants to be the BEST ship's cat ever. But how can he make himself useful? What jobs can he do? What jobs CAN'T he do? Will he find his place? 

My thoughts: This one is mostly Trim having mini-mis-adventures on board. He's making new friends and getting into a little bit of trouble here and there. For example, he's supposed to be watching out for rats, but he doesn't recognize what rats look like....so he befriends one. It is cute. It wasn't the most thrilling book ever, but I like the idea of historical early fiction starring cats.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

281. Fitz and Cleo: Put a Party On It

Fitz and Cleo Put a Party On It (Fitz and Cleo #3) Jonathan Stutzman. Illustrated by Heather Fox. 2023. [August] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Clack clack clack clack clack clack clack whoosh crunch

Premise/plot: Fitz and Cleo (two little ghosties, siblings) are back for their third adventure. In this one these two decide to PARTY. This starts as a way to fight boredom--bored games (pun intended) weren't working. It ends up being a great way to celebrate their cat, Boo. This graphic novel for early readers is told in chapters. The chapters are "Bored Games," "Pizzazz," "The First Rule of Party Squad," "Balloon Animal," "Holi-daze," "Put a Party On It!," "Cleo Presents: The Perfect Party," "Sighing in the Rain," "Mister Boo Presents: The Purrfect Party," "That's a Wrap!," "Fitz Presents: The Perfect Party," "The Great Boo Bash," "Slumber Party."

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one just as much as the previous two graphic novels. I really love Fitz, Cleo, AND Boo. Would I love these two ghosts just as much without the cat? I'm not sure. But together, these three are very entertaining.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers