55. Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb

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

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

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

Favorite quotes:

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

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

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

Have you read it? What did you think?

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


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

53. Fox Catches a Wave

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

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

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

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

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. Olive and Oscar: The Favorite Hat

25. Olive and Oscar: The Favorite Hat. Ariel Bernstein. Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early reader, animal fantasy, friendship]

First sentence: Hi, Olive!
Hi, Oscar!
I have a gift for you, Oscar!
You do?
It is a hat!
Thank you for my hat, Olive. It is now my favorite hat.

Premise/plot: Olive and Oscar are friends--close friends, special friends. Olive has gifted a hat to Oscar, but, throughout one day that hat goes through a LOT. Will the hat still be Oscar's favorite at the end of the day?

My thoughts: I loved meeting Olive and Oscar. They are ADORABLE. (And adorable as a couple.) I loved seeing the many, many creative uses of the hat! I thought this early reader was great fun. All the text is in dialogue bubbles. YES, it is an early reader. But it is also a good story with fun characters.



© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

13. Two Ballerinas and a Moose

13. Two Ballerinas and a Moose. James Preller. Illustrated by Abigail Burch. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, 4 stars]

First sentence: Two ballerinas. One in red. One in blue. Look at their fancy clothes. Look at their pointy toes. Me too! I want to dance too!

Premise/plot: Can a Moose dance ballet? Maybe. Maybe not. The other two dancers--to be fair--are also animals.

My thoughts: I like this one well enough. I do. Do I love, love, love it? No. Is it silly? Yes. For an early reader does it have an enjoyable enough story? Yes.

© 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

94. Mouse and Spoon: Rabbit Tea

94. Rabbit Tea (Mouse and Spoon) (Ready to Read Level 2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, early reader]

First sentence: On Littleton Street in a little town, three little mice had a bakery. Tom was the youngest, Ginger was the oldest, and Piper was right in the middle. Their shop was called the Mouse and Spoon Bakery.

Premise/plot: Ginger, Piper, and Tom love, love, love, love baking. In this book in the series, these three are catering for a a RABBIT tea party. Six mama rabbits and Two-hundred-and-sixteen children! These three bakers will keep busy, busy, busy preparing food for that many!

My thoughts: I have really enjoyed the books in this series that I have read. It's a fun idea for a series. The mice are ADORABLE and precious. I love how there is a new customer in each book. There are plenty of things that stay the same, and, yet each book is a little different.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

84. The Elephant's Birthday (Mouse and Spoon)

84. The Elephant's Birthday (Mouse and Spoon). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, ready to read level 2, animal fantasy, series book; 5 stars]

First sentence: On Littleton Street in a little town, three little mice had a bakery. They were Ginger and Piper and Tom. Tom was the youngest in the family. Ginger was the oldest. And Piper was right in the middle. They had whiskers and long tails. And like all mice, they were very clean and tidy.

Premise/plot: Cynthia Rylant's newest early reader series, Mouse and Spoon, stars three lovely mice who run a bakery shop. In this book, ELEPHANT is having a birthday party. The order at the bakery is a LARGE one since Elephant is large AND he has many, many monkey friends who will need banana bread! 

My thoughts: This one is adorable. It just is. I enjoyed spending time with Ginger, Piper, and Tom. The book is predictably delightful in that cutesy-sweet way. I will definitely be looking for all forthcoming books in the series. This is the second one I've read this year.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

72. Owlets and Tarts (Mouse and Spoon #2)

72. Mouse and Spoon: Owlets and Tarts. (Ready to Read Level 2) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, early readers, children's books]

First sentence: On Littleton Street in a little town, three little mice had a bakery. Ginger was the oldest, Tom was the youngest, and Piper was right in the middle. Their shop was called the Mouse and Spoon bakery.

Premise/plot: Owl parents are desperate for some sleep--they have three owlets at home. The mice at Mouse and Spoon know just what to do to solve the problem....

My thoughts: Could this book be any more precious? any more adorable? I absolutely love, love, love the illustrations. ADORABLE and delightful. The story is good, pleasant, enjoyable. But it's the illustrations that make this one so joyful. This is the second book, I believe, in a new series by Cynthia Rylant. I've LOVED some of her books in the past. Though this is the second book in the series, it was the first my library had available.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

61. Squid In Pants

 

61. Squid In Pants. Kaz Windness. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, ready to read, leveled reader, easy reader, 4 stars]

First sentence: Sad squid. No clothes. I would wear those. Fish friends spot kid. We found clothes, Squid! Four friends, one boat. Two socks, one coat. Two shoes. Flip-flop! One shirt. Tank top! Nice pants. Kid gone? Squid puts clothes on!

Premise/plot: Squid and friends enjoy trying on and wearing human clothes...but all does not go smoothly under the sea.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. What I enjoyed most was the rhythm and rhyme of the story. I liked the short, choppy sentences. I liked the rhyme. I liked the humor. I think it is incredibly silly. I think this one will probably have a good amount of kid appeal since UNDERWEAR.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

57. Piggle the Pig: The Perfect Pigsty

 

57. Piggle the Pig #1 The Perfect Pigsty. Dudolf. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, 5 stars]

First sentence: Piggle the Pig was quite busy with his usual morning routine when his phone rang. It was his parents, calling to tell Piggle that they were coming for a visit.

Premise/plot: Piggle the Pig is quite surprised that his parents are coming! He must clean immediately. It starts off well: one sock at a time. But soon Piggle is overwhelmed with the many, many, many things that remain to do. Surely a little nap after a planning session will help?! Will his parents be pleased with Piggle?

My thoughts: I definitely appreciated this one! It was fun and playful! Piggle was a delight! He might just have some attention issues....but he's always a delight all the same.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

18. Towed by Toad

 

18. Towed by Toad. Jashar Awan. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, early reader]

First sentence: Breakfast! 
No time, Pop! Can't stop!
Big cars. Little cars.
Old cars. New cars.

Premise/plot: This is an early reader starring a Toad who tows. Toad has a tow business. But what happens when Toad needs a tow?

My thoughts: This early reader is written in rhyme and packed with action. It isn't the absolutely most thrilling read--if you're older. But for a newly emergent beginning reader this one I think would prove enjoyable.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Sabrina Sue Loves the Mountain

 

3. Sabrina Sue Loves the Mountain. Priscilla Burris. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, animal fantasy, ready to read, chickens and farms, 3 stars]

First sentence: Sabrina Sue lived on a farm. She liked to walk through the fields. One morning in the distance she saw--a big, tall mountain.

Premise/plot: Sabrina Sue--a chicken with dreams--stars in her sixth ready to read early reader. This chicken is always dreaming big. In this one she dreams of mountain climbing.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed Sabrina Sue in the past. I do think she's an enjoyable--albeit silly--character. For better or worse if you've read one, you've essentially "read them all." I think that could be a good thing for young readers who find satisfaction in predictability and sameness, an assurance that things will stay just the way they like/love them. This one is not as absolutely silly as some of the previous books in the series. Recommended for fans of spunky chickens.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

150. Fox Plays Ball

150. Fox Plays Ball (I Can Read!) Corey R. Tabor. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [early reader, I Can Read, series book]

First sentence: Fox is ready to play ball.

My thoughts (preview): May be my favorite book about football! (I'm not a sports fan).

Premise/plot: Fox has starred in plenty of previous books. In this adventure, Fox and his friends play football! But who will win the game? The BEST player may just surprise you!

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Corey R. Tabor's books. Especially his Fox series, but, really I've never been disappointed by his work. This one was a fun, silly sports-theme read. I loved the twist!

© 2024 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

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

119-121. Early Readers Parade

119. Pizza for Pia (Ready to read level 1) Betsy Groban. Illustrated by Allison Steinfeld. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [early reader]

First sentence:  Pia loves to eat. "Mealtime is the best time," says Pia. 

Premise/plot: Pia loves to eat. Pia's family loves to eat. The problem? Pia's family all prefer pizza and they just know that Pia loves pizza too. In this early reader, Pia says she LOVES tacos--not pizza. The solution? Baking taco shells and using pizza ingredients???

My thoughts: It is an early reader. This one is full of p's. I liked it well enough. There is an actual story.

120. Nothing Fits a Dinosaur.  (ready to read level 1) Jonathan Fenske. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [early reader, bath time]

First sentence: "No more playtime," says my momma. "Take a bath. Put on pajamas. And please, tonight, no dino drama." 

Premise/plot: Will there be dino drama? YES. Of course. In this one a little boy and his dino alter ego get into a little trouble. Don't you know that NOTHING fits a dinosaur, so he'll just have to be FREE (without clothes). "These clothes shall feel my dino-might! Roar! I shed them with a mega roar!"

 My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Not a big surprise since I am a fan of Jonathan Fenske. Perhaps a slight surprise since I don't really love dinosaurs. However, this one is ALL about imagination. This little boy is a hoot. However, as all hoots are, he is difficult to parent perhaps.

121. Nothing Scares a Dinosaur. (Ready to read level 1). Jonathan Fenske. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, bedtime, imagination] [4 stars]

First sentence: My bath is done. My books are read. I brush my teeth. I climb in bed. My momma comes to tuck me in. She pulls the covers to my chin. 

Premise/plot: Nothing Scares a Dinosaur is a sequel to Nothing Fits a Dinosaur. Though these were published years apart--2021 and 2024--I imagine them taking place the same night. (Though, of course, it could be the next night.) The book series stars a little boy who loves to pretend to be a dinosaur. In the first book, this DINOSAUR had trouble getting ready for bed because he still wanted to play, play, play. In this next book, he is finally in bed, but will he fall asleep easily? NOTHING SCARES A DINOSAUR except perhaps his momma when she's stern.

My thoughts: I really LOVE both books. I'm so on the fence if they should be a four star or a five star. Fenske's early readers are, in my opinion, so much better than all the rest. These are entertaining, relatable, fun stories. I love the rhythm and rhyme. (Not a big surprise since Fenske is a great writer). I love how both books end!

 

© 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

81-82. Beach Reads

81. A Fox, a Pig, and a Dig. Jonathan Fenske. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am Fox. I am Pig. I like to nap! I like to dig! We like the sand. We like the sun. We think the beach is so much fun.

Premise/plot: A Fox, a Pig, and a Dig is an early reader starring two friends, a Fox and a Pig. This duo has appeared in other early readers. This one is set at the beach in three parts or stories. Fox is trying to be sneaky and prank Pig. But Pig isn't falling for any of it.

My thoughts: Fox and Pig are very silly characters. I have a vague memory of reading a previous title in this series. I am more familiar with Jonathan Fenske's other children's titles. I enjoyed this one. It was summer-y. It was fun. I think it would be a fun read aloud to share with kids. If you have an emerging reader or new reader, you could even take turns reading. 

82. The Squish. Breanna Carzoo. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hello, world! Here I am! What's that? What just happened to me?! That felt awful. I can't ever let that happen again! I've gotta...pick myself up, dust myself off, and be on the lookout! Nothing will get me now!

Premise/plot: Life isn't easy when you are a sand castle on the beach. Life is full of repeated squishes. This book chronicles the mental/emotional health of a sand castle. It is definitely a unique perspective or point of view. Can Sandcastle learn to overcome all of life's obstacles?

My thoughts: This is definitely a unique read. I'd never really considered the point of view of a sand castle. I hadn't thought of using it as imagery or allegory adjacent story of how to cope with life's ups or downs--or squishes as the case may be. The story can definitely be viewed more abstractly with older readers. But it doesn't necessarily lack accessibility for younger readers. It could at its most basic be a cute and silly story. Emotional coping skills are very important no matter your age. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

76. Welcome to the Woofmore

Welcome to the Woofmore. Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran. Illustrated by Josh Cleland. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Rufus tugged his jacket. He fixed his bow tie. He smoothed his fur. The boss, Ms. Coco, was coming! Everything at the hotel had to be pawfect. Even him! 

Premise/plot: Rufus works at the Woofmore Hotel. The staff at the hotel is quite excited that a celebrity, Greta Garbark, will be visiting during their grand opening. But will all go as planned? Or will there be some unexpected chaos? Will Rufus be able to handle all the situations that come up?

My thoughts: This is the first in a new chapter book series for young readers. It was fun, silly, thoroughly enjoyable.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

75. Bear and Bird The Picnic and Other Stories

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories. Jarvis. 2023. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ding-dong! Bear and Bird had a big day planned. Bird was early. "I'll be out in a minute," shouted Bear from his big bed. "I haven't just woken up. I promise!" 

Premise/plot: Bear and Bird is the first in a new early chapter book series. Bear and Bird are friends--dear, close friends. However, Bear and Bird have many differences. These short chapters, short stories, are interconnected--loosely. The first two stories are definitely closely related. 

The stories/chapters are: "The Flower," "The Picnic," "The Painting," "The Blanket."

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved this book. The writing  is WONDERFUL. 

Quotes:

This is from "The Flower" chapter:

"Sorry I'm late!" said Bear. "I thought my feet would move quicker than they did."

This is from the "Picnic" chapter:

"Have you used the bathroom?" said Bird.
"Yes," said Bear.
Bear had not used the bathroom.
"Did you pack the music player?" said Bird.
"Yes," said Bear.
Bear had not packed the music player.
"And the lawn chairs?" said Bird.
"Yes," said Bear.
No lawn chairs either.
"And most importantly--have you packed the picnic?" said Bird.
There was a bit of a pause before Bear said, "Yes, I've packed the picnic."
Bear had not packed the picnic.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers