67. Hairy and Scary!

67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Hello! We are the Rhyming Dust Bunnies! Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob! We rhyme all the time! Well, actually I don't rhyme. This is a fan! What rhymes with fan? Tan. Can. Oh no.

Premise/plot: This is the THIRD book in the Rhyming Dust Bunnies series by Jan Thomas. It has been FOREVER since she last released a book in the series. But the good news is a whole new generation of little ones are ready to be introduced to the awesome Jan Thomas. In this one, the rhyming dust bunnies are in danger....or are they????? Bob is definitely trying to tell them SOMETHING. If only they would stop rhyming long enough to listen.

My thoughts: I will always love Jan Thomas' picture books because I've read them so many times. They make great read alouds. You can really put a lot of enthusiasm and silliness into them. This one was fun and nostalgic.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

66. We Are All Ears

66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]

First sentence: We are ears. So are we. Don't forget us! We are ears too!

Premise/plot: Ears of corn keep inserting themselves into this early reader about ears.

My thoughts: I have loved some of Jonathan Fenske's books in the past. He's written picture books and beginning readers. Some are all the awesome and hilarious. Others are just okay. I don't think I was in the mood this time around for reading his newest early reader. It wasn't bad, I just didn't find it funny or amusing. BUT other readers might. I might even find it amusing if I reread it in a few months or years or whenever.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44-45 Two Jonathan Fenske Books

44. Barnacle is Bored. Jonathan Fenske. 2016. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am bored. Bored. Bored. BORED. Every day is the same. The tide comes IN. I am wet and cold. The tide goes OUT. I am dry and hot.

Premise/plot: Barnacle is BORED. Barnacle is full of complaints. Nothing suits. Until...Barnacle realizes something important about life...

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I may not have loved, loved, loved it. But I solidly liked it. It is an ocean-themed book about attitude and perspective, about gratitude. Barnacle is not grateful...at all. But by the end of the story, something has changed...for the better.

The first time I read this one, I wasn't overly impressed with the illustrations. They didn't do much for me. Dare I say they bored me?! But after the second or third time around I had come to appreciate them. I found the illustrations could be quite expressive. I love the grinning look of relief on Barnacle when he's NOT eaten.

I appreciate the fact that this is a book that allows for a lot of expression in the reading. I think it's a great choice to share with little ones. They may just ask for it again and again and again and again. Especially if you add in some effects!

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

45. Plankton is Pushy. Jonathan Fenske. 2017. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Why, hello, Mister Mussel! I said, "HELLO, MISTER MUSSEL!" Well, that is just RUDE! Let me tell you how this works.

Premise/plot: When Plankton greets "Mister Mussel" and doesn't get a response, well, Plankton gets PUSHY. Also frustrated, exasperated, and sarcastic. Will Mister Mussel open his mouth and speak? Will Plankton really want him to when all is said and done?

My thoughts: For readers--young and old--who like picture books with twist-endings, this is a fun treat. I'd also recommend it to anyone who read and loved Barnacle is Bored. I think if you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably like this one as well. I haven't quite figured out how to voice Plankton, but, I'm going to guess that it can be done and done well. (Maybe not by me...but we'll see. Barnacle is Bored is one of my favorite read alouds.)

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 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

111. The 13th Day of Christmas

111. The 13th Day of Christmas. Adam Rex. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, Christmas]

First sentence: I was having a lonely Christmas because my true love was visiting her parents. So it was real quiet when I heard chirping. I didn't really want a bird, but it was nice enough. It came in this little pear tree, and I like pears. The card said my true love sent it, so of course I loved it. Of course I did.

Premise/plot: This humorous book is told from the perspective of the recipient of the twelve days of Christmas. A man has received a LOT from his one true love. But how much was intended to be sent? And what does she have in mind?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was silly. He is trying to cope with EVERYTHING and trying to puzzle out WHY his true love sent him ALL these odd, strange presents. Can he find a way to spread the joy of Christmas?

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

95. Bob the Vampire Snail

95. Bob the Vampire Snail. Andrea Zuill. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Slam! Thud! Crash! Bob heard a terrifying...scream! Then a stomp, stomp, stomp of running feet. Next came an uncomfortable...crack of a shell. Then finally a powerful...poof! An icky drip.

Premise/plot: Bob the snail is about to become Bob the VAMPIRE snail. He didn't ask for the change, nor did he welcome it. But what's a vampire snail to do?! Learn how to do vampire-y things, of course. So what will Bob drink? The "blood" of tomatoes. Still, it's a lonely life for Bob....or is it?!

My thoughts: This book is weird, strange, odd, quirky, different. The darkness is outweighed by the silliness, for the most part. Reading is subjective. There were things I enjoyed about the story. There are speech bubbles with VAMPIRE facts and SNAIL facts. The premise itself is intriguing. The title alone makes one curious to read it. For me, I didn't quite like it like I'd hoped. I do think it has appeal for the right reader(s).

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

83. A Scrub in the Tub

83. A Scrub in the Tub. Jan Thomas. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, 5 stars]

First sentence: Pee-ew! SOMEONE needs a scrub in the tub! 
Absolutely!
WHO needs a scrub in the tub?
YOU, Pig! YOU need a scrub in the tub!
Absolutely!
ME? I don't think I  need a scrub in the tub!

Premise/plot: PIG does not want a scrub in the tub. His friends disagree. If Pig wants to hang around with them, a scrub in the tub is not optional. Will Pig take a bath? Will he enjoy his bath?

My thoughts: It has been a while since I've read Jan Thomas' humorous picture books. These are the same beloved characters from earlier picture books. She is great at writing silly, humorous picture books and early readers for young readers. Her books often have again-again appeal. Definitely recommended for fans of Jan Thomas. And if this is your first Jan Thomas picture book, be sure to check out her earlier picture books!

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

78. Zebra and Yak

78. Zebra and Yak The Backwards Alphabet Book. Paul Friedrich. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Are you ready to start the alphabet? Let's go! Z is for Zebra.
What? What's going on? Did I miss my cue from Xylophone? I didn't hear X is for Xylophone. I'm not ready.
Z is for Zebra
I get that. I'm Zebra. But you're way early. It's A is for Apple, B is for something, the other letters, and then it's my turn!
Apple wasn't around. We're starting with Z instead.
This is ridiculous! We need to find Apple!

Premise/plot: Zebra and Yak star in a backwards alphabet book. This catches Zebra and the others by surprise! They are all used to being THE END of the alphabet and not the beginning. The book is full of bantering back and forth between the characters and the narrator (as well as between themselves) as the search for Apple continues.

My thoughts: I loved this one. It was fun, silly, exuberant. I loved the humor. I think it would make a great read aloud. The humor I think would make it appealing to those who have even grown a bit beyond the whole 'concept' of alphabet books.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

71. Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme

 

71. Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme. Betsy Bird. Illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, fractured nursery tales, 5 stars]

First sentence: All around the mulberry bush, 
The donkey chased the weasel.
The donkey thought 'twas all in fun...
Pop! Goes the weasel.
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was right as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to...
Pop! Goes the weasel.

Premise/plot: The weasel gets to go POP in nearly every nursery tale in Betsy Bird's silly and creative play on nursery tales. The 'Secretary Bird' is having a time trying to keep things all proper and sorted and REGULAR. But alas, the weasel is weaselly. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was SILLY and goofy and just fun. Though I will admit some bias. Betsy Bird was one of the first book bloggers I started following way, way, way back in the day. (I started blogging in 2006). This book is delightful.

 

© 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

49. Board book: Just a Banana

 

49. Just a Banana (Board Book, Lift the Flap) Barney Saltzberg. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, 4 stars]

First sentence: This is a banana. Or is it? Just a banana. 

Premise/plot: Just a Banana is a lift-the-flap board book that is pure silliness. Each spread begins with a banana. But is it *just* a banana. Or is it perhaps something MORE, something BETTER. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this playful board book! I loved how each illustration started *just* as a banana. The illustrations were so fun and silly and delightfully quirky. I loved seeing the 'banana' as a dog, a boat, a mouse, an octopus, etc. 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46. Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend

 

46. Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend. Bob Shea. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Hey, gimme a push.

Premise/plot: Two turtles play make believe. Mostly. One turtle--the turtle in a bearsuit--is pretending he's a for-real bear. The other turtle is pretending he's a for-real bear expert. As these two question each other, a friendship begins.

My thoughts: This one is purely silly. I've read it twice and honestly I'm not sure if I actually 'for-real' like it or if it's more in meh territory. It is silly, strange, quirky, odd. Yet none of those things are particularly bad for a picture book to be. I would almost have to try it out with a 'for-real' kid to see the reaction/response.
 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

38. Snarky Sharky

  

38. Snarky Sharky. Bethan Clarke. Illustrated by Nikolas Ilic. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, humor, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Some fish are forgettable--small fry--you know the ones. But not me, no. I'm the greatest fish in this reef. The one, the only...SNARKY SHARKY! That's me. Calm down, clams, you might pull a mussel. Anyway, that snarky stuff you've heard about me? It's all lies...I'm way worse.

Premise/plot: Snarky Sharky has a BIG ego and perhaps no [true] perspective. But when he moves from his little reef to a new locale....he may just learn a lesson long in coming.

My thoughts: This is a picture book--with an ocean setting--that celebrates word play on every single page. It is full of puns. Most of the 'groaning' sort. Will kids groan with these jokes? That's a good question, one I don't have the answer to. It's a silly, playful book with some bite to it.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Little Freddie Two Pants

37. Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, humor]

First sentence: Oh, Freddie! Why are you wearing two pants? Two pants is too many pants. Freddie! Where are you going? Come back here. Freddie! Now you're wearing THREE pants. Three pants is too many pants, too! You should not wear so many pants.

Premise/plot: Love humorous books starring dogs? Little Freddie Two Pants might be a great choice. Freddie, our extremely silly hero, is giving the narrator quite a time!

My thoughts: Little Freddie Two Pants will have definite appeal--to a certain crowd. It is over-the-top silly and features a dog wearing pants (and underwear). There's also a monkey sidekick. The running gag is wearing pants (and underwear) on one's head. Again, I think for the right crowd this one will allow for plenty of giggling. I enjoyed it because it is silly and doesn't take itself too seriously. That's not always the case with picture books. Sometimes it's good not to have a message pounded in your head.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate?

 

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]

First sentence: Will the pigeon graduate? I had better graduate! I did the work! I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps. Were there obstacles? Lots of them! 

Premise/plot: The very first Pigeon book, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, was published in 2003. It has been over twenty-years, closer to twenty-two years, since his first release. It is certainly possible that those graduating college in recent years--grew up hearing Mo Willems' Pigeon stories. So it is more than fitting that Pigeon stars in an incredibly relatable, inspirational story that would make a GREAT gift for graduates--high school or college.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I think it resonates for those who a) have follow Pigeon through his many, many, many adventures b) adults (of all ages) with life experience (whether you are looking back or looking forward). The ending was so BEAUTIFUL. The story itself was humorous YET relatable. Essentially it's a book about having to adult.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

 

28. The Baby Who Stayed Away Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5 stars]

First sentence: In the light of the moon, a little baby lay fast asleep. HA! Yeah, right! Not this baby! Sleeping is for koalas and teenagers. This baby intended to stay awake forever. At 8 o'clock, Mama said, "Good night, sweetie." Papa said, "Sweet dreams, little one." Sister said, "See you in the morning." BAby said: GA! 

Premise/plot: A family struggles with a baby--though NOT a newborn or young infant--who refuses [strong headed, strong willed] to sleep through the night. Trying to get the baby asleep is a family affair--mother, father, sister. [The neighbor, well, can't escape the consequences of everyone's choices.] 

My thoughts: Who is this book for? I think it is 100% for parents and older siblings. I think it is a humorous, relatable story--if not slightly exaggerated to most people's reality. It is on the text-heavy side. But there are plenty of silly illustrations as well. (Such as when the baby decides to throw a DANCE PARTY). (Another favorite scene is when readers get a 'meanwhile' glimpse of the neighbor who just decided to get up in the middle of the night. He's eating a bowl of cereal and is resigned to his fate.) (Yet another favorite image is when Mama is trying to cuddle baby. If you know you know. Seriously though that could be for most of these illustrations.)

Is this book for babies and toddlers? Perhaps not as much as for those slightly older. I do think it would be a silly read aloud for the whole family. I think with a little practice, this one could be acted superbly.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School

 

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy] 

First sentence: Wolf could count his friends on one hand. Three, two, one...NONE! And that was the way he liked it. Wolf ate alone. Rode his bike alone. Played tennis alone. But there were some places that Wolf couldn't be alone.

Lone Wolf Goes To School stars a LONE WOLF who is set in his ways. Throughout the chapter book, Lone Wolf is given plenty of opportunities to change his ways, to welcome the world, to have his heart grow 'three sizes too big.' Yet time and time again, Lone Wolf prefers to stay true to himself--a loner. There's a scene that seems almost predictable. You would naturally expect in a children's book especially that the 'lesson' or the 'moral' or the 'point' of the story would be to show Lone Wolf making friends, of learning to enjoy being around others, etc. But the author is playing with audience expectations. (If not expectations of children then expectations of adults. HENCE why it is so funny.) Buster Keaton explained this best when talking about gags: "I always want the audience to out-guess me but then I double cross them."

LONE Wolf Goes to School was clever and funny. I highly recommend.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!"

 

2. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!" David LaRochelle. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up for a battle of wits and test your brain with my nearly impossible Game of "No!" Here's how it works: Every time I ask a question, you have to say "NO!" If you accidentally say "YES," then you have to go all the way back to the beginning of this book and start over. Are you ready to play?

Premise/plot: Perhaps not necessary after that first paragraph, but I'll give it a go. Mr. Fox playfully teases young readers with a fun, silly game. [It has the same vibes of Simon Says.] Through a series of questions, readers may be tempted to say yes...

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I do think it would be a playful book to read aloud with little ones. It does invite audience participation, if you will, so a group setting might be a good fit. Definitely reads younger and not older.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

157. All at Once Upon a Time

157. All at Once Upon a Time. Mara Rockliff. Illustrated by Gladys Jose. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Review copy, picture book, humor] [5 stars]

First sentence: Once upon a time (now, tell me if you've heard this one before), locked up in a tower, lived a princess with the longest....

Premise/plot: Looking for an over-the-top SILLY book that makes as much sense as any fantastical dream? All At Once Upon a Time thrives on the dot, dot, dot for fracturing ALL the fairy/folk tales that ever could be. (Well, most of them. More than you might expect in just forty-eight pages). 

My thoughts: This one is ridiculously silly and sometimes that kind of humor can be a very good thing. This would be a GREAT fit for teachers who are required to teach fairy/folk tale units that also include a WRITING section where kids have to write their own twisted tale. 

Because this one can be expanded upon in classrooms, it goes beyond the traditional audience you might expect. I think it builds upon a knowledge of the originals. 

 I definitely enjoyed it! Just a few of the fairy tales it fractures:

• Rapunzel
• Pinocchio
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Hansel and Gretel
• Three Little Pigs
• Cinderella
• The Frog Prince

The illustrations feature even more.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

144-145 Two Picture Books That Slightly Disappointed

144. The Little Chefs: Three Stories by Rosemary Wells. 2024. [October 22] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] 

First sentence: When Mama came home from a long day's work, Sylvie made her a cup of tea with honey.

Premise/plot: Three illustrated short stories starring animal families. Each story revolves around a failed cooking/baking attempt--usually by a child. The "little chefs" come to the rescue via a hidden telephone (landline, old school telephone]. Each story is introduced by historical facts about cooking. The stories are written in rhyme.

My thoughts: This is an odd book. I have so many great memories of Rosemary Wells' books. However, this one just didn't work for me. I'd rather have one great story than three smaller stories. I also didn't quite "get" the history lessons. Because the audience for the stories probably aren't the same audience as the history lessons. Also I can't imagine Rosemary Wells' typical preschool/toddler audience sitting still for three stories. And the stories are so similar in many ways. Yes, different families, different recipe disasters, but still.

145. Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine. Seth Fishman. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book]

 First sentence: The morning started like any other day except that....Brandon invented a time machine!!

Premise/plot: Brandon has invented a time machine. However Brandon struggles with time management and a time machine can't solve all his problems. Especially when self-sabotage is at play. Can Brandon learn to better manage time?

My thoughts: I was here for the silliness. I loved the premise of this one. I do wish, in part, it was less lesson-y. On the one hand, it was relatable! It was slightly funny to see Brandon so at odds with himself. On the other hand, it leaned more towards teaching a lesson than telling a story here and there. Now, it is more silly than serious. I did enjoy it some. I just didn't love, love, love, crazy love it. I think the potential to love was definitely there.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers