65. This Baby. That Baby.

This Baby. That Baby. Cari Best. Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. 2024. [February] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Somewhere in the big, big city 
across a beep-beep street
along two bumpy sidewalks
up two tall buildings
to the
third
fourth
fifth
floors,
two happy babies look out their morning windows
at the very same time.
This baby.
And that baby.
This baby has a lot of curly black hair.
It bounces when he giggles.
That baby has a floppy red hat.
It falls off
when she wiggles.

I love, love, love, love, love this one!!!! It stars two babies: THIS baby and THAT baby. It chronicles their parallel lives--will these two get a proper meeting??? 

I love the celebration of family life, the ordinary moments, the oh-so-relatable moments, the blink and they're gone moments. The story is adorable. The illustrations are adorable. Highly recommended....and so rhythmic too. Loved everything about this one.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Homegrown

Homegrown. Deann Wiley. 2024. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Mama says I'm homegrown.

Premise/plot: This picture book explores the many layered meanings of the concept--the word--home. The book celebrates family life, family, love, life, kindness, etc. 

My thoughts: This book closely examines family life, home life, and gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into all things family, all things tradition; it is a celebration of community and culture. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

173. Kunoichi Bunny

Kunoichi Bunny. Sara Cassidy. Illustrated by Brayden Sato. 2022. 20 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Hiss! Hiss!

Premise/plot: This is a nearly wordless picture book "in graphic novel form" [says GoodReads]. A little girl and her father are out for a stroll. Along for the ride, of course, is the girl's bunny, Kunoichi. Time and time and time again, the little girl intervenes and saves the day as situations and problems emerge. (For example, she throws the bunny at two fighting, hissing cats on the street. This distracts the cats and the bunny (and the girl) "save" the day.) After each incident, the dad finds the bunny and returns it to the girl. The day is PACKED with action and adventure. The book concludes with them being tucked in at night. (The bunny being newly laundered).

My thoughts: It is nearly wordless. I find it interesting that so many reviews call the girl whiny, bratty, etc. Other than a speech bubble with the bunny's name, the girl says nothing. The father doesn't seem angry or frustrated at having to pick up the bunny again and again and again. Just mildly perplexed. Like HOW does the bunny keep falling out of the stroller? Like how did the bunny end up over here? No indications of annoyance or anger. 

I liked this book. I'm not sure I loved it absolutely. But I enjoyed it. I definitely didn't pick up "this kid is a total brat" vibes. If anything, I thought the kid was empathetic. Especially when she noticed the older woman on the bus (or form of transit) was lonely and had the bunny wave at her to bring a smile to her face.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

205. The Giant Panda Plan

The Giant Panda Plan (Teeny Houdini #3). Katrina Moore. Illustrated by Zoe Si. 2022. [June] 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Roar! Roar!" I call to the lions. I stand on my tippy-toes to get as close as I can to them. "Why won't they roar back, Mom?" I ask.

Premise/plot: Bessie Lee and her classmates--both her close friends, friends, and frenemies--take it upon themselves [to single-handedly] save pandas. This comes about as a result of a zoo field trip. The students brainstorm "a way" to "save" pandas. This involves the students working together as groups and doing presentations. A bit of an elevated show-and-tell of sorts. But the show that was going to SAVE the pandas goes all wrong with egos get in the way.

My thoughts: I didn't like this one. Not really. I thought it was odd. Perhaps it was just too much to sit down and read books two and three back to back. Perhaps the plot of the third book is just weaker. I don't mind the let's-all-be-activist perspective in small doses. But I don't know how a bunch of first graders are going to do anything on a big enough scale to "save" the pandas. True, in this book, the first graders are miraculously able to raise a thousand dollars. But I don't think that's realistic. [Or perhaps Bessie Lee is just in a really high-class, super-wealthy school district].

It also seemed a little odd--though I could be wrong--that Bessie Lee (and presumably) others are getting to hold/handle an actual baby panda from the zoo.  

This book is more about sabotaging other students' work than anything else. [This is my opinion].

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

155. Sometimes I Grumblesquinch

Sometimes I Grumblesquinch. Rachel Vail. Illustrated by Hyewon Yum. 2022. [August] 40 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: My name is Katie Honors and I'm a really nice kid. I always go along nicely.

Premise/plot: Katie, our protagonist, is super nice. But sometimes--only sometimes--her emotions overwhelm her and she grumblesquinches. Sometimes quietly, softly. Sometimes loudly and dramatically. In this picture book, Katie loses patience with her younger brother, her baby brother, Chuck. Will her parents still love her when isn't so super-incredibly nice and sweet?

My thoughts: Relatable. This book is definitely relatable. Not everyone would agree that this behavior/emotion is a grumblesquinch. (I found the word to be quite unique.) The message--and there is a moral to the story--is honestly sharing how you're feeling is always a good, healthy thing.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

98. Wish

Wish. Barbara O'Connor. 2016. FSG. 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I looked down at the paper on my desk. The "getting to know you" paper.

Premise/plot: Charlie Reese is a wish-maker. She's made the same wish--in hundreds of ways--for at least the past year. Her dad is in jail; her mom is checked out from reality; her oldest sister is staying with a friend. Charlie? She's moved to Colby to stay with an aunt and uncle she's never met. She's been assigned a backpack buddy named Howard, an easygoing friend with a large family. Adjusting to her new life will take time and courage, will Charlie's wish come true?

My thoughts: I want more Howard. I love him. I do. Maybe it's silly to get so attached to a fictional character, but seriously a Howard in real life would be a girl's dream come true. I love the book. I love the characters. Bertha and Gus, Howard, Wishbone, the whole Odom family. This is a middle grade novel with heart! No wonder the author is getting fan letters from kids saying that she's the best author ever!  

I first read this one in 2017. It was love. I reread it for the first time in 2022. I think I love it even more the second time around. This book is one of my absolute favorites.

Quotes:

I looked down at the paper on my desk.
The “Getting to Know You” paper.
At the top, Mrs. Willibey had written “Charlemagne Reese.”
I put a big X over Charlemagne and wrote “Charlie.”
My name is Charlie. Charlemagne is a dumb name for a girl and I have told my mama that about a gazillion times.

You are a blessing in this house, Charlie,” she said.
A blessing?
She should’ve called me mean and hateful and dumb and sorry, but she called me a blessing.
Then Gus stood up and said the perfect Gus thing.
“Let’s have some of that blackberry cobbler before supper.”

I have a list of all the ways there are to make a wish, like seeing a white horse or blowing a dandelion. Looking at a clock at exactly 11:11 is on my list. I’d learned that from some old man who owned the bait and tackle shop out by the lake where Scrappy and I used to go fishing. Now that I’d missed 11:11, I was going to have to find another way to get in my wish for the day. I hadn’t missed one single day of making my wish since the end of fourth grade, so I sure didn’t want to miss one now.

“I’ve made a wish every single day since fourth grade,” I said.
Howard bugged his eyes out at me. “You must want a lot of stuff.”
I shook my head. “No, just one thing,” I said. “I always wish for the same thing. Every single time.”
The minute I said that, I regretted it. I knew what he was going to say next and sure enough, he did.

Well, dang! I never would’ve guessed that! You’d think that a redheaded boy with glasses who was named Howard and had an up-down walk would have a lot more to wish for than being friends with me. But I admit I felt a smile on my face and hope in my heart, ’cause maybe wishes really do come true. Maybe some wishes just take longer than others.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Planet Omar #1: Accidental Trouble Magnet. Zanib Mian. Illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik. 2019. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Khaa Toooo! There was a big puddle of spit on my little brother's forehead. It was mine. But, phew, he was still sleeping.

Premise/plot: This middle grade coming of age novel is heavily illustrated. Omar, the protagonist, is adjusting to life in a new house and a new school. Life at home and school isn't always easy...especially at school where there's a bully. At home, well, there's always SIBLINGS. Still despite some strife and tension, Omar's family is DELIGHTFUL.

My thoughts: Not every book "needs" a ton of conflict. This is one of those easy-going ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THE JOURNEY type book. It isn't that the book lacks all conflict--remember there is a school bully that must be dealt with one way or another. (Also a slightly mean neighbor that must be tamed.) But mainly this is just an enjoying-life-as-it-comes read. Part of that is just a simple unpacking of his Muslim faith/culture. Sharing the ins and outs of his and his family's faith in action.

Omar and his family are good company.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

23. Watercress

Watercress. Andrea Wang. Illustrated by Jason Chin. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We are in the old Pontiac, the red paint faded by years of glinting Ohio sun, pelting rain, and biting snow.

Premise/plot: A young girl is embarrassed by her parents--her immigrant parents. How "embarrassing" to have them stop the car, get out, and pick watercress from the ditch! Why couldn't her parents be "normal"? But though she may not "like" picking watercress, and may not exactly "like" the taste of watercress, she comes to a better appreciation of where her parents are coming from and what memories they may have from the past. 

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. This one won the Caldecott Medal in 2022 as well as being a Newbery Honor book. I absolutely loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED the illustrations. Every single spread was just WOW for me. I loved turning pages and seeing the story unfold. It was a beautiful book. I appreciated the text, but, the text to me wasn't as 'wow'. I do think it's good for sharing if you are looking for books about families, traditions, and food. (Soul Food Sunday was another recent read.) And I do think it is relatable.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

22. Soul Food Sunday

Soul Food Sunday. Winsome Bingham. Illustrated by C.G. Esperanza. 2021. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On Sundays, everyone gathers at Granny's for soul food.

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates a young boy's first lesson in cooking soul food. Though soul food had been a part of his life forever (presumably). This Sunday, he's deemed old enough to join his Granny in the kitchen. He is helping and observing. Many members of the family are taking part in the cooking and preparing of the meal.

My thoughts: Definitely enjoyed this one! It is going to be quite a meal they share together. And anticipation builds with each spread. The book celebrates family, fellowship, traditions, food and cooking, and growing up. I thought the narration was great.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

142. Happily For Now

Happily for Now. Kelly Jones. Illustrated by Kelly Murphy. 2021. [May] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: THINGS ARE A lot simpler in fairy tales. I mean, when you read about some girl going around covered in ashes who gets treated way worse than her stepsisters, it’s pretty clear somebody should get that girl some help. Then again, who knows what she thought when she woke up every morning? Maybe she thought, Well, things could be better, but they could be a lot worse, too. (Trust me, they could—and in lots of fairy tales they are. If you’ve ever read the original versions, you know they get gruesome fast.) Maybe she was glad her stepmother was bugging her stepsisters instead of her about what they wore or why they didn’t go out and find someone rich to marry. Maybe she was okay with doing her own thing.You get used to what’s normal for you.

Premise/plot: Fiona may not "want" to go stay with distant relations while her mother seeks treatment, but, sometimes you don't always get what you want, you get what you need. So Fiona finds herself heading to the farm to live with Great Aunt Alta, Aunt Becky, and Great Uncle Timothy. (Aunt Becky and Uncle Timothy manage the family's bakery.)

Fiona is a fairy god-person in training. (That's how she copes with what life throws at her.) And she's determined to be a fairy god-person in her new situation. She has a feeling that her relations definitely need some help and intervention....and it turns out they do. Now whether Fiona's wish-granting goes off according to anyone's plans...well...that's up for debate.

But life will never be the same after Fiona comes to town.

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I thought it was a great read. I enjoyed the characterization so much. I loved meeting the extended family--flaws and all. I loved getting to know all the people in the community. When well done--like this one is--a wide cast of characters is such a delight.

Quotes:

I thought about the questions Ms. Davis and I liked to talk about, and picked a good one. “What’s your favorite kind of cookie?”

See, a question like that seems like no big deal, so it doesn’t make you nervous. You can’t get it wrong. But cookies can tell you a lot about a person. For instance, my favorites are oatmeal with chocolate chips. Ms. Davis says they’re a lot like me: you might not notice right away that they’re something special, but once you do, you’ll never make that mistake again. Ms. Davis’s favorites are these spicy molasses cookies she makes. She says they’re just like her: they keep getting better with age, and people always remember them. Great-Uncle Timothy didn’t say anything. Maybe he needed to think about it, or maybe he was still feeling shy around me. Or maybe he just didn’t like to talk that much.

FAIRY-GODPERSON TRAINING: LESSON 1

Find someone who seems unhappy.

Observe what’s really going on.

Encourage them to make one small change.

FAIRY-GODPERSON TRAINING: LESSON 2

Find a situation you don’t feel good about.

Discover your truth—what you really think, not what someone else thinks you should think.

Speak your truth. You might tell it to the person in the situation. Or you might find someone else to tell—someone you trust who might be able to help. Or someone you could ask for advice.

Observe what happens when you wield the power of your truth. It might not be what you think will happen. But you can still learn something from it.

 

FAIRY-GODPERSON TRAINING: LESSON 3

Figure out something you want to do. Something for you, not for anybody else.

Make a plan to help yourself do it. Tell a buddy or a helper about your plan. Ask them to cheer you on and keep you accountable, so you’ll actually do it. It’s easy to shove your own plan aside to help someone else if no one’s there to remind you.

Put your plan into action. Think about what works, and what could work better. What’s harder than you expected? What’s easier?

You can use what you learn when you help others. Where do you think that person might get stuck? Maybe someone could cheer them on, too.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers