56. Jumanji

56. Jumanji. Chris Van Allsburg. 1981. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, fantasy, 3 stars]

First sentence: "Now remember," Mother said, "your father and I are bringing some guests by after the opera, so please keep the house neat."

Premise/plot: Two bored kids find a game in the park and bring it home. Peter and Judy have been told to keep the house neat and tidy. But as they play the game Jumanji, well, things get a little out of hand. Almost like how the Cat in the Hat brings chaos when he comes to visit. But Judy insists they keep playing the game until the end no matter what.

My thoughts: The book is VERY self-contained. Judy and Peter never even move from the table where they are playing the game. The movie is WILD and ZANY, erratic, chaotic. The game doesn't just effect Judy and Peter in their house but the WHOLE entire town. That's why I said this one was very self contained. Judy and Peter don't seem overly alarmed by the things happening around them. Perhaps because they don't seem to have lasting consequences? The book definitely presents more as two kids with a vivid imagination than the movie would ever have you believe.

The story is definitely more developed than the picture book. I don't dislike the picture book. And I don't love the movie. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I think both are premise-driven. Subdued is the word that just came to mind and I think it fits. The book is subdued.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

52. Zathura

52. Zathura. Chris Van Allsburg. 2002. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, fantasy]

First sentence: "Mom!" Danny Budwing yelled. "Mom!" Walter and Danny's mother stopped at her sons' bedroom door.

Premise/plot: Walter and Danny are brothers who fight and bicker and fuss all the time, ALL the time. But will a board game bring them together????

My thoughts: I watched the movie adaptation, Zathura. I loved it. I had never read the picture book. I've never seen Jumanji. I had low expectations for the movie, but, I found it GREAT fun. Perhaps if I'd had extremely high expectations and a preconceived notion of what it should be and should not be, I would have felt differently.

This picture book is much more "basic" and "contained" than the movie. The game is still adventurous but it doesn't seem SO intensely dangerously dramatic and a fight for survival. And the ending is quite different.

I personally love the movie more. But I can see how the book is creative and could work for young readers.

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


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

26. Bad Banana

26. Bad Banana. Michael Rex. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, beginning reader, early reader, humor]

First sentence: I'm a baaaaaaad banana! I didn't start out this way, you know. I used to be yellow! I had friends! I was part of the bunch! There was me, Lou, Debbie, and Cool Pete! We were BFFs! Banana Friends Forever. When that nice family took us home from the supermarket, we were living the dream!

Premise/plot: This early reader is narrated by a BAD banana. He's in despair since he's turning so bad. His hopes and dreams are fading hour by hour, day by day. Will he ever be eaten?????

My thoughts: This book is definitely decidedly odd. But is it funny? Yes, in a way. I think it ALL depends on how it's read aloud. In the hands of a good reader, a reader who can do voices, who can get characters just right, this one would easily entertain. It has great potential to appeal to young readers.


© 2026 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

19. Mission to Shadow Sea

Mission to Shadow Sea (Future Hero #2) Remi Blackwood. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jarell brushed his hand over the back of his head. It's got to be long enough now, right? he thought. At least his hair was finally more than stubble. On his last adventure to the kingdom of Ulfrika, the magical symbol had been burned away completely. He couldn't return until his hair was long enough to have a new symbol cut into it, but time was running out. He had to return to the ancient-future world of Ulfrika, find the remaining three iron animals, and stop the evil sorcerer Ikala before it was too late. 

Premise/plot: Mission to Shadow Sea is the second book in the Future Hero fantasy series for young readers. Jarell--the future hero--travels via haircut and magic mirror to another world, Ulfrica. He has adventures (and sometimes misadventures) there. When he's not off risking it all and fighting against the odds, he lives in London, I believe.

My thoughts: I am not the target audience for this one. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend, however, waiting until ALL the books in the series have been released. I imagine that this series would be at its absolute best if a reader--presumably young--sat down with a stack of books and fell absolutely in love with the series, the story, the characters, the adventure of it all. 

The more detailed a fantasy world is, the more a reread is required in between books. Plus some fantasy books just require more investment. Fantasy can be hit or miss for me. And there usually isn't a reason why some fantasy novels I just am able to immerse myself into the world and escape...and others that just leave me puzzled and out of sorts. But I do think it's more of a me problem.

I remembered the real world, London, bits. I had a hazy memory of the fantasy world. (Probably it would be better if it was reversed.) Still, I don't have to personally love a series in order to recommend it to kids. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

152. Monet's Cat

Monet's Cat. Lily Murray. Illustrated by Becky Cameron. 2020. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Monet was a famous painter with a magic cat. Her name was Chika. She was made of delicate pottery, and lay on a cushion, cool and still, until...Monet tapped her three times with his paintbrush. Then Chika came alive!

Premise/plot: Chika and Monet have lovely adventures together by visiting the paintings in the museum--literally. The two can hop in and out of the artwork! Of course, Chika may be having a bit more fun than Monet--who is chasing her! How much trouble can one cat be?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked it. I do like French impressionists. It's playful and art appreciation all at the same time.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

144. The Gilded Girl

The Gilded Girl. Alyssa Colman. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Izzy watched through a crack in the door as the young ladies in the parlor burst into flame.

Premise/plot: The Gilded Girl is a retelling of The Little Princess set in New York City in 1906/1907. Emma Harris, one of our heroines, plays the role of the 'spoiled' little rich girl. (She's not spoiled. Emma Harris even before the fall that everyone knows is coming has a heart of pure gold.) Izzy, our other heroine, is a servant at the school. 

The school is where the book perhaps takes the most liberties. For this isn't just any elite boarding school, it is Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic. She teaches wealthy young girls how to do magic, how to prepare for the Kindling Ceremony and the Kindling Winds that blow every December. Those whose magic is kindled can become licensed magicians. Magic is only for the wealthiest, most prestigious classes of society. Otherwise one's magic is snuffed out at age 12. 

Izzy has magic--though a servant--and she does not want it snuffed out. Emma is forced into servitude. She also doesn't want to lose her magic. These two work together as servants and secret students to see if they can hold onto their magic despite their poverty.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. The intended audience for this one were born probably between 2008 and 2012. Today's generation may or may not be familiar with the story of The Little Princess. Most probably wouldn't have read the original. Some may have seen it adapted for film. It is not labeled by the back copy (jacket copy) as being a retelling of The Little Princess. I am curious if this was intentional. Because it is glaringly apparent if you're an adult that this is without a doubt The Little Princess newly adorned.

I think my favorite part of The Gilded Girl was the "house dragon" (aka the black cat pictured on the cover) named FIGGY PUDDING.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

119. Mrs. Noodlekugel

Mrs. Noodlekugel. Daniel Pinkwater. Illustrated by Adam Stower. 2012. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A tall building, with one apartment stacked on top of another — that is where Nick and Maxine came to live with their parents. They had not lived there very long when Maxine said to Nick, “Come to my room. I have discovered something.”

Premise/plot: Nick and Maxine, our hero and heroine, discover a delightful friend and potential babysitter in the eccentric next door neighbor, Mrs. Noodlekugel. What few adventures we have are certainly odd, unusual, whimsical, peculiar. For example, making cookies WITH mice and FOR mice.

“Now we will put the cookies in the oven,” Mrs. Noodlekugel said. “Before we light the oven, we will count the mice to make sure no mouse has fallen asleep on the cookie sheet.” “Has that ever happened?” Maxine asked. “No, because we count,” Mrs. Noodlekugel said.

My thoughts:  Apparently I read this one in 2012 and gave it one star. I completely forgot having read this one previously, and so when it showed up as a free book on kindle I downloaded it. I don't know if my mood was just completely different the second time around, or, if my reading tastes have changed through the years--but I wouldn't rate it one star now. I'm not sure I'd go over three stars. But it's not *that* bad. I mean, it's no Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. And there aren't that many adventures to be had in this one short book. It's all set up for further adventures. If the other books in the series are ever free, I'd definitely consider reading them as well.

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Once Upon a Zzzz

Once Upon a Zzzz. Maddie Frost. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Um...hello? Hi, kids! It's me, the illustrator! Hmm, it looks like the author has fallen asleep. So...I'll just tell you a story.

Premise/plot: When the author, "Ima Snoozen" falls asleep, the illustrator, Maddie Frost takes over writing the story. Her story stars two sisters--a llama princess and a penguin princess. The penguin princess tires of her older sister being the older sister...so when she sees a shooting star she makes a terrible, horrible wish. She wishes that her sister would go far, far, far away--all the way to the moon. Will Penguin Princess miss her older sister? Is there a way to get her back? And what will happen if/when the author awakes to find *her* book in such a mess?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was over-the-top silly. But while much is silly in this one, I think the feelings are all too easy to relate to for little ones--and sometimes grown-ups.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

How To Grow Happiness

How to Grow Happiness: A Jerome the Gnome Adventure. Kelly DiPucchio. Illustrated by Matt Kaufenberg. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Warble flew through the Garden of Wonder into Jerome's open window. "I brought you something special today," she chirped. Jerome examined the tiny black seed resting on the window ledge. "What kind of seed is that?" asked the curious inventor. Warble smiled proudly. "It's a seed of happiness!" she declared.

Premise/plot: Jerome the Gnome trades a bit of red yarn for a seed that promises happiness. But Jerome finds that happiness isn't what he gets--not at first. He feels confused, disappointed, frustrated, even angry--but not happy. But with a little advice from each of his friends will he succeed in growing happiness after all?

My thoughts:  How To Grow Happiness is an odd little picture book without a doubt. Jerome seems to know nothing about seeds. Seeds are meant to be planted in the ground, for example, not kept in a jar in the house, not placed on a rock in the sun, not thrown into a pond, etc. Unless the seed is planted in the ground--in the soil--it cannot, will not--grow. Seeds were meant to be buried. Because the seed is not the end but the beginning. A seed cannot be rushed. It grows in its own time and season according to its kind.

Jerome is blessed with friends. And when the seed does 'grow happiness' he shares that 'happiness' with his friends. Curious as to what happiness looks like? Think watermelon.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Kerr, Judith. 1968/2009. The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Candlewick Press.

I honestly still don't know what to make of this one. Candlewick's first edition of this UK classic is being released next week. It's a silly story, no doubt, about a tiger who comes to visit a girl and her "mummy" one day.

Once there was a little girl called Sophie,
and she was having tea with her mummy
in the kitchen.
Suddenly there was a ring at the door.

Apparently, this one is quite popular and well-known in some circles. Since it's being done "live on stage." I'm a bit more reserved in my opinion. Maybe you had to grow up with it? Anyway, it's available soon and you may just like it :)




© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

Jonell, Lynne. 2007. Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat. Art by Jonathan Bean.

"Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good."

It continues, "She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossible to keep quiet, some days. Of course no one can keep this kind of thing up forever. But Miss Barmy had told Emmy that if she were a good girl, her parents would probably want to see her more often: so Emmy kept on bravely trying. So far it hadn't helped." (1)

This might have been a very dull story. Really. If Emmy had kept on being good. Kept on trying. Kept on striving. Fortunately, for the reader. Emmy chose to listen to a Rat. Not just any rat, mind you, though appearances can be deceiving. She met The Rat in school; he was the class pet. One day he tells her, "Try being bad for once. You might like it." (4) (Yes, he tells her. A talking rat. That shouldn't really surprise anyone, right?)

This book is most unusual. But it's fun. It's smart. It's funny. It's magical. This is just a fun little fantasy for anyone and everyone who's a kid at heart. And there's a sequel. I'll be getting to that one soon I hope!


© Becky Laney of Young Readers