70-73. Picture Book Parade

70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]

First sentence: Turtle has a toolbox for a shell. It's filled with tools that he knows well. Here is his hammer. Bang. Bang. Bang. Here is his mallet. Clang. Clang. Clang.

Premise/plot: Turtle has a toolbox. He uses the tools in his toolbox. It is written in rhyme. It also uses a lot of repetition. Sometimes the repetition makes sense. Obviously, hammers are going to hammer more than once. Sometimes it is slightly annoying. Turtle must use his saw, saw, saw. Carry and stack the wood, wood, wood. Everything's looking good, good, good.

My thought: It was fine. It was okay. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. I have liked other Beth Ferry books more than this one. That being said, if your little one LOVES construction and building, then perhaps this one will be a good fit.

I do think I tend to overthink things. This one had me overthinking WHY a turtle would build a TREEHOUSE which would have him having to CLIMB LADDERS and CLIMB STAIRS. Will young readers be bothered by this? Well, it depends on the reader. But probably most readers won't. And the few it does bother, well, they are young overthinkers.



71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]

First sentence: This is a bear butt. This is a bare butt. This is a bare bear butt. There are all kinds of bears. And all kinds of bear butts. Cold bear butts. Old bear butts. Greasy, grimy Grizzly Bear butts. A giant panda has a giant butt but a spectacled bear does not have a spectacled butt!

Premise/plot: What you see IS what you get. In this case a lot of bear bare butts. It's gimmicky. It's silly. It's odd and quirky. It's of questionable taste. HOWEVER I think for those that love it, they will REALLY love it. And everyone else will roll their eyes.

My thoughts: I didn't love it. I wanted to at least like it some. I have loved, loved, loved some of Jonathan Fenske's books in the past. He's written picture books and early readers. Usually he makes me smile or laugh. I do think YOUNG readers with a particular sense of humor will find it enjoyable looking at all the bare bottoms AND getting to read the word butt EVERYWHERE. Plenty of jokes and puns. Just not particularly funny. Picture books ARE subjective. Your little one may love it. Particularly if saying "butt" makes them laugh.

72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: Dog toys are genuinely excited to join a family. They were born to play, after all. But life for dog toys isn't always pretty. Or easy. Meet Moose. Goofy Moose. Clumsy Moose. Lovable Moose. Eighty-five-pounds-of-drool-and-smelly-toots Moose.

Premise/plot: Moose's dog toys have to team up to save Moose. Well, if they hadn't been trying to 'save' a fellow dog toy perhaps they might not have needed to have a rescue mission to save Moose--who escaped. But NO job is too big for these dog toys.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It was an adventure--fun, silly, enjoyable. A good choice for little ones that love dogs.




73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]

First sentence: Once there was a traveler. An artist. A cosmic, celestial, musical artist who traveled far and wide, who searched for and discovered different people, places, and sounds.

Premise/plot: This is a nonfiction biography--illustrated biography--of David Bowie for children. Young children? Probably not. Older children? Maybe. Even older children? More likely. Would an illustrated biography appeal to upper elementary or younger middle grades when assigned to read a biography? Perhaps.

It isn't so much a biography of David Bowie the person as it is David Bowie the musical artist. The book attempts--for better or worse--to divide his musical career into different "periods" of being for David Bowie.

My thoughts: Matthew Cordell has a creative approach to writing this biography. The illustrations and text work together to tell a story. It has plenty of illustrations AND plenty of text. What the book lacks is clarity and precision. Dates--years--would go a LONG, LONG, LONG way in telling this story. If the author, you know, actually named YEARS, specific albums, specific SONGS on those albums. If the book focuses on his career--his legacy of career--and the theme is his transformation, his metamorphic changes from one sound to another--LITTLE details could go a long way so that readers could seek out his music, his albums, his song--know WHAT to look for and listen to for each "era" or "period" or "time." And actually FOLLOW the journey and engage with the book on a deeper level. Instead we have a creative, artistic approach to a biography that doesn't really HELP readers experience much. There is a "beginner's guide to David Bowie" but it doesn't link songs with eras--and the songs all seem to be from a few albums and not representative of his whole body of work. These songs are not necessarily representative they are just favorite songs of the author, Matthew Cordell. 

I personally don't see the appeal as a work for children.



© 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

65. Shy

65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]

First sentence: Shy was the smallest and quietest pup at the shelter. She seldom made a sound. Not at suppertime. Not at walk time. Not even at playtime.

Premise/plot: Shy finds her forever home. BUT her new human is a musician who loves to play the piano. Shy loves, loves, loves this. She loves it because she can join in with her own song to match his (her human) own. But when it comes time for him to perform on stage, will Shy join him? Does he want her to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It's a sweet story lightly inspired by a dog in Julie Andrews life that liked to sing along. Definitely enjoyable if you like music OR dogs OR both.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

58-59. Two Jonathan Fenske Picture Books

58. After Squidnight. Jonathan Fenske. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]

First sentence: The sky is black.
The clouds are inky.
The salty air
is still and stinky.
You're snug in bed.
You're softly sleeping...
...while to your house
the squids are creeping.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
Midnight sounds.
At the beach,
the ocean pounds.
And from the surf
a suckered hand
drags itself
onto the sand.

Premise/plot: After Squidnight is a quirky rhyming book by Jonathan Fenske. After midnight, sneaky squid come into a child's house and make a TREMENDOUS mess. But the child's parents, well, they are less convinced that it was the work of squids and not the kid.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I do. It's quirky. It's weird. It's got the BEST rhythm and rhyme. It is just a JOY to read if that is your thing. I happen to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a great rhyming book....and well, I don't have kind thoughts to those that get it wrong. Jonathan Fenske is a favorite of mine. I also love and appreciate the DESCRIPTIVE narrative. And the illustrations are very atmospheric.





59. A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Were Riding a Bicycle. Jonathan Fenske. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: A unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark were riding a bicycle.

Premise/plot: The unicorn, dinosaur, and shark spend most of the book arguing with the narrator of the book. This is much like the first book in this strange series. In this one, the narrator is trying to convince the three that they want to ride a bicycle. They do not. They want to do all the relaxing. Will these three end up riding a bicycle by the end of the book????

My thoughts: It was decent. I feel that there's a certain type of reader who will love the 'rebellious' and 'argumentative' nature of seeing the characters in the book talk back to the narrator/author. It is very silly and ridiculous for characters to be self-aware. But once you get over the novelty of that (and many other picture books have done the same), it becomes a bit dull--I would say probably more so for adult readers. It was definitely okay.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

46-47. Two Peek-a-Clue Board Books

46. Peek-a-Clue: Animals at Home. Gideon Sterer. Illustrated by Marcos Farina. 2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board books]

First sentence: I purr and I slink. I like to eat fish. My scratchy pink tongue laps milk from a dish. My ears are quite pointy. I lie in your lap. The thing I love most...is taking a nap! Who am I?

Premise/plot: Peek-a-Clue: Animals At Home is a board book with unique cut-outs that 'reveal' the mystery animal. In this one there are three mystery animals to be revealed--one page, one clue at a time. The text and the illustrations both contain clues.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the cut-outs! The premise isn't particularly unique, but, the cut-outs are a bit more unique. I definitely would recommend to little ones.

47. Peek-a-Clue: Safari Animals (An Animal Guessing Game) Gideon Sterer. Illustrated by Marcos Farina. 2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board books]

First sentence: I have a long snout full of teeth that go chomp! My spiky green tail sweeps through the swamp. My legs are quite little and so are my feet. Watch out, you fishes....I like to eat! Who am I?

Premise/plot: Peek-a-Clue: Safari Animals is a board book with unique cut-outs that 'reveal' the mystery animal. In this one there are three mystery animals to be revealed--one page, one clue at a time. The text and the illustrations both contain clues.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the cut-outs! The premise isn't particularly unique, but, the cut-outs are a bit more unique. I definitely would recommend to little ones.

© 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

36. The Rare Bird

36. The Rare Bird. Elisha Cooper. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, cats, imagination, picture books]

First sentence: The Rare Bird flew through the forest, flying so fast he knocked the leaves off the trees.

Premise/plot: The Rare Bird is a quirky little picture book starring a cat with a vivid imagination.

My thoughts: This cat has SOME imagination. The whole book--except the last few pages--is written as if the book was about, you know, an actual actual bird. But it this CAT living his normal cat life but imagining a whole other world, whole other life. He never leaves the house but he's flying across the world and seeing it all.

I liked this one. It was quirky and whimsical.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

34. Board book: Buzz Like a Bee

34. Buzz Like a Bee (Board Book) Guilherme Karsten. 2026. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board book, activity book, interactive books]

First sentence: Spin like a spider way up high. Can you spin like a spider?

Premise/plot: This is an interactive board book with sliders to push and pull...and things to spin. It is focused on bugs? insects? bugs and insects?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I think it is probably best suited for home libraries. I think library copies that get frequently checked out may wear out quickly. Especially if checked out by a family with a young reader that becomes fixated on one activity. The pull out zooming bee, for example, may just prove too tempting for wee little hands. It is a FUN book.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

29. Richard Scarry's Great Mystery Collection

29. Richard Scarry's Great Mystery Collection. Richard Scarry. 2025. (1969, 1975) 96 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture books, mysteries]

First sentence of the Great Pie Robbery: Sam Cat and Dudley Pig are detectives. They find children who get lost. They catch robbers who steal things.
First sentence of the Supermarket Mystery: Sam Cat and Dudley Pig are very fine detectives. If anyone has a problem, they will try to solve it.
First sentence of The Great Steamboat Mystery: Mr. and Mrs. Pig had just gotten married. They invited all their friends to a big wedding party aboard the steamboat Sally. Just for fun, they asked everyone to wear a costume. Mr. Pig also asked Sam and Dudley, the famous detectives, to come to the party. He wanted them to see that no wedding presents got stolen. Sam and Dudley wore costumes, too. They dressed like pirates.

Premise/plot: This omnibus collection includes THREE Richard Scarry picture books. Each picture book stars Sam Cat and Dudley Pig. These detectives will keep on trying and trying until the case is SOLVED. The three books are: The Great Pie Robbery, the Supermarket Mystery, and the Great Steamboat Mystery. Each book is fun and silly. Pay attention to the details.

My thoughts: I love, love, love Richard Scarry. I love his worldbuilding. I love his characters. I love his attention to details. These three are mystery picture books. I definitely enjoyed revisiting this author and illustrator.


© 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

14-16 Three Jamie Oliver Board Books

14. Board Book: Let's Make Pizza. Jamie Oliver. Illustrated by Adrian Johnson. 2025. 14 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, cooking, food]

First sentence: Are you read? Let's start with...puff pastry. Roll, roll. Tomato sauce. Swirl, swirl.

Jamie Oliver has written a handful of board books for the youngest audience. Super, super, super simple text. Basic instructions. Each two-page spread of the board book features a flap to unfold that continues the recipe. (Rolling, swirling, etc.) So one page ingredient, second page, activity.

The illustrations are super bright and bold.

This one is Let's Make Pizza. It was an enjoyable board book.




15. Board book: Let's Make Pancakes. Jamie Oliver. Illustrated by Adrian Johnson. 2025. 14 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, cooking, food]

First sentence: Are you ready? Let's start with....flour. Tip, tip. Egg. Crack, crack. Milk. Whisk, whisk.

Jamie Oliver has written a handful of board books for the youngest audience. Super, super, super simple text. Basic instructions. Each two-page spread of the board book features a flap to unfold that continues the recipe. (Rolling, swirling, etc.) So one page ingredient, second page, activity.

The illustrations are super bright and bold.

This one is Let's Make Pancakes. It was an enjoyable board book.



16. Board book: Let's Make Pasta. Jamie Oliver. Illustrated by Adrian Johnson. 2025. 14 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, cooking, food]

First sentence: Are you ready? Let's start with...tomatoes and garlic. Crush, crush, squish, squish. Basil. Pick, pick.


Jamie Oliver has written a handful of board books for the youngest audience. Super, super, super simple text. Basic instructions. Each two-page spread of the board book features a flap to unfold that continues the recipe. (Rolling, swirling, etc.) So one page ingredient, second page, activity.

The illustrations are super bright and bold.

This one is Let's Make Pasta. It was an enjoyable board book.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

101. Elvis & Romeo

101. Elvis & Romeo. David Soman and Jacky Davis. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, dogs, friendship]

First sentence: Elvis was on his way to the dog park for the first time. So was Romeo. Romeo couldn't wait to make a new friend.

Premise/plot: Elvis & Romeo are not friends yet....but they soon will be after meeting at the dog park.

My thoughts: I read two Elvis & Romeo early readers earlier this month. This picture book is their origin story--or the origin story of their friendship. All three books appear to be published in 2025. If you are a dog lover, this picture book is super cute and adorable. Elvis and Romeo each have personality. It's an enjoyable introduction to this duo.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

43. You're a Poet

43. You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems. Sean Taylor. Illustrated by Sam Usher. 2025. [March] 72 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction, poetry, 5 stars]

First sentence: It was bright. It was warm. And Piglet's mom said it would be a good day to go for a walk up the hill.

Premise/plot: You're A Poet wears many hats. You're a Poet IS a fictional story starring a young pig, Piglet, who discovers through the help of his family that he is a poet, that he has a gift for words. It isn't just one fictional story but a series of stories. So one could say perhaps that in some ways it is a chapter book as well. You're a Poet is a nonfiction book teaching children HOW to write their own poems. The fictional stories are the jumping off point. But step by step instructions follow each story. These bonus activities are for children and don't always use the technical poetry terms, however, they are for the most part meaty activities. 

My thoughts: This one would be a good fit, in my opinion, for elementary aged students. I don't necessarily see it as a read aloud as is, though one could just read the fictional stories. I take that back--slightly. I think if teachers are teaching a poetry unit, then I think they could read the story and share/teach/do the activity perhaps breaking up the book over a series of lessons. OR a teacher could have this one in the classroom for students to read on their own. I talk about school instruction, but I  am not excluding homeschool environments. (That is never my intent).

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

162-164 Three Picture Books

162. How To Draw a Brave Chicken. Ethan T. Berlin. Illustrated by Jimbo Matison. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Chickens are known for being....well...chicken, but follow these simple directions and you can draw a brave chicken. 

Premise/plot: This book delivers...in more ways than one. It shows YOU the reader how to draw a chicken, but not only a chicken, a BRAVE chicken that is ready-not-ready for all sorts of thrilling adventures. As the story continues--and the drawing--it gets sillier and sillier. 

My thoughts: I LOVED this silly book. I do have a weakness for chicken-themed picture books. So many great chicken characters exist in children's literature. This one definitely was enjoyable, fun, and SILLY. I think it would be a great read aloud to share with young children. 

163. I Am Wriggly. Michael Rosen. Illustrated by Robert Starling. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book]

First sentence: I am wriggly. Really wriggly. Wriggly, wriggly, wriggly, wriggly. I'm so wriggly....my whiskers wiggle, my ears jiggle, I wriggle on my chair, I wriggle with my bear, I wriggle around and around, I wriggle on the ground.

Premise/plot: Michel Rosen's new picture book features a pink bunny with a LOT of energy. He's an energized bunny, for sure.  

My thoughts: This one is a silly book featuring some rhymes and little punctuation. (The use of commas instead of periods was a choice for sure. Will kids care about this horrible run-on sentence? Definitely not. Probably.) This one could work with children as a read aloud if you, the reader, bring all the energy and drama.

164. Merry Whatmas? Eoin McLaughlin. Illustrated by Polly Dunbar. 2023. 34 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [picture book, holiday, animal fantasy, friendship]

First sentence: "Merry Christmas!" said Fox. "Merry what-mas?" said Hedgehog. "Merry which-mas?" said Tortoise. It was their first Christmas, so they didn't know what Christmas was. 

Premise/plot: Apparently this is the sixth book in a series starring lovely animal characters. This one in particular is holiday-themed. Hedgehog and Tortoise are not at all sure they approve of this thing called Christmas--at least not as described by each of their friends. It's all a bit much...can these two friends find a way to make it work?

My thoughts: I wish I'd been familiar with other books in the series. I think I might have had more attachment to the characters and their friendships. I do know that I still LOVE AND ADORE Polly Dunbar's illustrations. I am not new to her work. The illustrations of this one are so super cute and adorable. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

142-143. Two Books About Books

142. My Book and Me. Linda Sue Park. Illustrated by Chris Raschka. 2024. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [picture book]

First sentence: This is my book. My favorite book. I carry it with me wherever I go. There's jam on the cover from yesterday's toast and crayon inside from when I was little. I read it alone. We read it together. Again and again, and, please, just once more?

Premise/plot: This book celebrates BOOKS and reading and family reading time. It is written in verse (though it doesn't rhyme) and stars several different children with their favorite books.

My thoughts: I liked it. I really liked it. I wanted to love, love, love it...because READING. However the thought of jam on a cover of a book was a little too much for me! (I jest???)

143.  The Book That Almost Rhymed. Omar Abed. Illustrated by Hatem Aly. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book] [5 stars]

First sentence: The other day, I wrote this book.
You won't believe how long it took.
It rhymed, and I was super proud.
It sounded great when read aloud.
But then my sister came along,
and now the story sounds all wro--

Premise/plot: A young boy has written the perfect rhyming book....until his sister comes along and changes everything. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It could definitely be read by TWO readers for some extra read aloud fun. It could also be dramatized perhaps. It celebrates creativity, imagination, adventure, and spontaneity. I'm not sure the brother would agree it celebrates family. But it is super silly to have squabbling siblings on an imaginative adventure. 

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

128-129 Two MORE board books

128. Board book: Let's Eat (An All Are Welcome Book) Alexandra Penfold. Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. 2024. 26 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

First sentence: I like noodles. I like beans. I like rice. I like greens. I like bread. I like fruit. 

Premise/plot: The [illustrated] kids that star in Alexandra Penfold's newest board book love to eat...and love to eat all together with their friends. This is an incredibly simple, bare-bones book to share with little ones. It follows a pattern. I like fill-in-the-blank....except for the one time when they throw in a toot joke. 

My thoughts: Not enough of a story to entertain me personally. However if I had a little one to read aloud to, this one would fit in just fine. When it comes to books and exposure to books, more, more, more I say.  I wouldn't not read this one. Here's another thing, as adults you can never predict what book your little one might absolutely love and form a connection with. It isn't always the one that you would think it would be. 

129. Board book: I Love You Berry Much! Rosamund Lloyd. Illustrated by Kat Uno. 2024. 20 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: Rise and shine--
it's a brand-new day.
Look who's strolling up my way.
You're so fine-apple!

You make me laugh,
you make me smile.
You look so sweet in any style.
You're one in a melon!

Premise/plot: This is a [mostly] fruit themed book of sentimental puns to share with little ones. Essentially one of those foods-with-faces books that are always equal parts cheese and sugar. (That is cheesy and super sweet.) 

My thoughts: This one is supposed to have lots of bumps for tactile learners. However in my personal opinion the bumps were almost non-existent. So nonexistent that I didn't catch onto the fact that the book was supposed to feature bumps specifically for children who are all about tactile experiences. I had to hunt for the bumps. And I was ultimately disappointed with what I "found." I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tactile books. So I would have loved it if the book had delivered on that.

So why four stars if I found the book disappointing? I actually enjoyed the illustrations and the rhyming narrative. I thought both were well done.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

86-97. Picture Book Reviews

86. Finding Things. Kevin Henkes. Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: If you found a little ball on the grass and it was there for days, you could take it home. You could play with it. 

Premise/plot: A picture book about finding things. "You" find a series of things leading up to a homeless street kitten. Magically, all previous findings help "you" out when it comes to homing the kitten.

My thoughts: I am not being sarcastic with "you." The book is written in second person. It is a slower picture book, it has its own pace. It isn't a story with a lot of thrills--which is fine. Previous love with Henkes might help "sell" this one to readers. 

87. The Wolf in Underpants Gets Some Pants. Wilfrid Lupano. Translated by Nathan Sacks. Illustrated by Mayana Itoiz. 2020/2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In the forest, when you've been dragging your butt from grove to grove for ages...it's good to drag it somewhere else for a while.

Premise/plot: The Wolf in Underpants returns from vacation to learn that EVERYONE (literally) is wearing *his* underpants. To clarify, someone has "stolen" his style/design for striped underpants. These "Wundies" are everywhere, selling cheaply. The Wolf is outraged. Though the quality is sorely lacking, everyone has copied him. He is no longer unique. So what is a Wolf to do? Get some pants?! Yes. But is the Wolf happy being Wolf in Pants instead of Wolf in Underpants? 

My thoughts: This is the fifth book in the series, though not all the books have been translated into English and published in the United States. If you have a little one who is so enraptured by the premise of seeing a Wolf in Underpants on every single page--along with dozens of other animals in underpants--then this one might appeal. I am not as hooked as I would need to be to read all the books in the series. Though I do remember enjoying the first book in the series. For the right reader, this one could be funny.

 

88. You're Going to Love This Book. Jory John. Illustrated by Olivier Tallec. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Attention, reader. Ahem. Let's try that again. ATTENTION, READERS!!! You're going to LOVE this book. Really. Truly. Seriously. No joke. Get ready.

Premise/plot: Another picture book that I am reviewing written in second person directly to readers. The narrator makes a lot of promises, a lot of boasts. But is the narrator reliable or unreliable?

My thoughts: This one is mostly gimmicky. That might be the wrong word. The premise is that the book has all the stereotypical things that a kid traditionally hates or dislikes. The writing style is exaggerated. I think some readers might think it funny or amusing. I do think Jory John might have enough of a following that some readers would literally follow him anywhere and buy anything. I haven't decided if this one is showcasing unreliable narrators (it might not be) or irony. The more I think about it, the more I think it is irony. I was not amused. But I'm not the target audience.

 

89. Not a Smiley Guy. Polly Horvath. Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When baby Ernest was born his parents stared down at him. They smiled. He enjoyed it. Nice people, he thought. What a good family to be born into. The only thing that would make it better would be some elephants.

Premise/plot: Baby Ernest doesn't smile. Neither does Toddler Ernest. Or Kid Ernest. Ernest just does not smile. Though he does think about elephants a lot. Will his parents ever stop expecting Ernest to smile?

My thoughts: Some picture books are taste specific and naturally have a smaller audience. There were definitely things I enjoyed about this one. Ernest is a hoot. I do enjoy the over-the-top elements like the ELEPHANT. But it is decidedly an ODD, QUIRKY book. The message seems to be that facial expressions don't always line up with what people are feeling on the inside.  

90. Proper Badger Would Never. Lauren Glattly. Illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Badger has been invited to a party. He has always wanted to go to a party. Badger doesn't know Claire, but he's sure she'll be excited to meet him. He is quite pleased. He will wear his bow tie and his little jacket with the buttons down the front. He thinks this will make him look like a proper badger. He is very proper.

Premise/plot: What would happen if a mail carrier DROPS a letter--an invitation--and that is subsequently found by a badger???? The badger--especially this oh-so-proper badger--might get all dressed up in his finest to attend a young girl's fifth birthday party. But does Badger belong????? 

My thoughts: This book takes quirky to a whole new level. You may not be prepared for just how odd, quirky, different this one is. I think that will help in the appeal for some readers. I do think reading it twice would help. I think having it read aloud by a skilled person who has read and practiced would help even more. After all, there is a PERFORMANCE element in reading aloud picture books especially in a group setting. 

The book could be potentially useful in TWO things. First, the book could help showcase the idea of unreliable narrators and subsequently teach the importance to paying attention to the details in the illustrations. The art of reading between the lines. Second, the book is great at showcasing circumstantial evidence. Perhaps my law nerd is showing, but the "evidence" is shown in the illustrations. It is up to the reader presumably whether or not you believe Badger's protestations or proclamations of innocence. Readers can be the jury, the fact-finders.

91. Oh, Are You Awake? Bob Shea. Illustrated by Jarvis. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Tell me a story, Penguin.

Premise/plot: Lion and Penguin are friends. But will they stay friends? Lion is demanding--repeatedly--a story before bed. Penguin has a one track mind--he wants to SLEEP. Sleep so he can dream, but still. Will Lion ever go to sleep? Will Penguin ever get to sleep?

My thoughts: I wasn't feeling this one. It is whimsical. Some people love and adore whimsical. I am not immune to whimsy. This one has a LOT of dream sequences maybe? One thing going for it perhaps--besides the fact that Bob Shea has a fan base that really love his work--is that it is written for two readers. Lion's dialogue is in blue. Penguin's dialogue is in black. 

92. The Red Fruit. Lee Gi-eun. 2023. [November] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Baby bear got up early, by himself. I am hungry. 

Premise/plot: Baby bear has an adventure in a tree as he pursues a mysterious red fruit. 

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love the illustrations. The story is super simple. What goes up must come down. There's something sweet and wonderful about the story. Yet it is not an exuberant story with over the top, exaggerated humor. It is more of a quiet adventure story.

93. Gravity is Bringing Me Down. Wendelin Van Draanen. Illustrated by Cornelia Li. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Leda knew the minute she fell out of bed--gravity was in a bad mood. Again.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. Leda has a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day all thanks to gravity. The two are normally friends. Leda is a science lover. Can these two make up before bedtime?

My thoughts: The book has a lot of descriptive language. Especially when it comes to verbs. But it also packs in a lot of un-subtle science-y facts. Which could be good or bad depending on if you want a funny story or a science-themed slightly less funny story. It's not bad. It's not. It has some good elements to it. But it is like when broccoli is hidden in a cookie. I am rating three stars, but it is closer to three and a half stars.

94. Don't Trust Cats. (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) Dev Petty. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Chip here. I have been described as very smart and also a dog.

Premise/plot: Chip has plenty of advice for others--mainly dogs--wanting to be their best dog selves. But his number one piece of advice is: don't trust cats. 

My thoughts: What you see is exactly what you get. A humorous dog doesn't like cats story with everything you are probably expecting. Readers can ask themselves plenty of questions like IS CHIP A SMART DOG????? Is he reliable in his advice? Is it good? smart? wise? Or are there flaws in his logic. The book is GREAT at capturing dog point of view in a humorous, amusing way. But be sure to read between the lines!

95. Bunny Should Be Sleeping. Amy Hest. Illustrated by Renata Liwska. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It is a cold winter night. Bunny should be sleeping. But he is listening instead. Listening to the quiet. It is very, very quiet.

Premise/plot: Sometimes a Bunny needs his Dad and a Dad needs his Bunny. 

My thoughts: Could this book BE any more precious? Of course precious isn't the only word: adorable, sweet, lovely. All these words describe this super adorable story of a little bunny waiting for his dad to check on him in bed...and how he decides to check on his dad instead. 

Will every reader love it? Probably not. Some people hate sugary-sweet, precious stories.

96.  No Cats in the Library. Lauren Emmons. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Clarisse was a stray cat who loved books. She couldn't understand the dark, squiggly lines, but she loved looking at the pictures. One day she stumbled upon a magical building where people walked in empty-handed and came back out with books! She had to get inside.

Premise/plot: Will Clarisse gain access to the library and all its many books????? 

My thoughts: I love books. I love reading. I crazy love and adore cats. This one has a written just for me feel to it. Loved the story, the characters, the illustrations.

97. I See a Rat. Paul Meisel. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What is that? It is fast. It is gone. 

Premise/plot: A dog befriends a Rat.

My thoughts: This one is a GUIDED READING LEVEL C. For a guided reading book, it isn't bad. You can definitely tell it is an early reader for very young readers just starting out.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

54-61. More Board Books on Parade

54. Board Book: Marvel Beginnings: Spider-Man Goes to the Farm. (978-1368090377) Steve Behling. 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Moo! On a beautiful spring day, the amazing Spider-Man is swinging back home from a crime-fighting adventure. As he lands on a rooftop, he hears a loud moo. He swings down and sees a cow has broken loose from its corral on a local farm.

Why does this book exist? That's a question you might legitimately have. I certainly did. But this touch-and-feel book surprised me. I thought it would be worse than it actually is. I expected silly cheese, and in part that delivered. It had all the elements you'd expect from ANY farm book: the expected animals and their sounds. Spider-man was "helping" the misadventures. These misadventures weren't quite as dramatic as what you'd find like on Paw Patrol, but somewhat similar vibes. (One adventure is a horse stuck in the mud.) 

Note to self: Though this one released in January 2024, it is NOT on GoodReads. I sure do miss being able to add books. 

55. Mary Had a Little Lamb. (Board Book) (Touch and trace) Silver Dolphin. 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb. Its fleece was write as snow.

This board book features five nursery rhymes. I was tempted to say familiar nursery rhymes, but, that isn't necessarily the case. (Four were familiar. One was NOT.) It features: Mary Had a Little Lamb, Five Little Speckled Frogs, Bingo, The Ants Go Marching, and Mulberry Bush. Each rhyme has its own two-page spread. Some pages feature cut-outs or holes. There are "tracing" elements. I'm not exactly sure what the point of the tracing elements are. They are not a touch-and-feel element--not really. No new textures to feel or sense--just cardboard and more cardboard. 

56.  Board book: Kisses: A Lift the Flap and Sliding Parts Book. Marta Comin. 2023. [December] 16 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In the sea, six fish are swimming round and round. They say, "Bloop, bloop, kiss. I'm so glad you're safe and sound." 

I have to say that I crazy love and adore the "kissing" fish which is the first spread. They started with the best--for better or worse. Little ones can slide the fishes to one another and make them kiss. Perhaps parents reading aloud can join in with kissy fish lips of their own. While there are plenty of elements to manipulate in this one--most of them are flaps. (For example, opening the petals of a flower). The most disturbing--for me personally, and this is completely subjective--is the flapping baby head. You can turn a flap to have him kiss one parent and then the other. So there are three baby heads in total. The elephant trunks touching is a good spread. This one--for me--was hit or miss. 

57. Boop Me! Yappy Puppy. (Board book) Claire Baker. 2024. 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Puppy's at the park today, looking for a game to play.

Is it a gimmicky interactive book? Yes. Probably. Was it fun--at least at first--to "boop" his nose and have it make a squeak? Yes. I think it would be fun--at least at first. The puppy's nose is also velvety soft. So with the softness of the nose AND the delightful squeak, this one could work well with little ones that love dogs. The adventure itself is simple--puppy playing at the park. The dog is making his own nose boop. The elements are better than the story perhaps.

58. What is Snow? Very First Questions and Answers. (Board book) Katie Daynes. 2018/2023. 12 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What is snow? It's what flutters down on freezing days.

Is there such a thing as too many flaps? I wouldn't have thought so before picking this one up. I never knew if the flap would reveal text--like an answer to a question--or if it would just be an illustration. Some spreads felt like they had ten or so flaps. Some had text. Some didn't. Some moved the plot forward. Some didn't. The board book format and the lift-the-flap feature seem like they'd be for a younger crowd (toddler, early preschool) the amount of text felt like it might not hold attention spans. This one could work depending on the presentation of the one reading it aloud.

59. Christmas at Nana's House. (Board book) Larissa Juliano. 2023. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Christmas is here, and it is the most magical time of the year at Nana's house. We stand on the sidewalk (I helped shovel!) and see the colorful Christmas lights flicker.

I liked this one more than I thought I would. (Though I have questions.) It is a straightforward enough Christmas-themed story starring a lovely family celebrating Christmas together. Two grandchildren and their grandparents. (No parents in sight, which is one of the questions I have. But it doesn't matter. Not really). This book goes through many traditions. It ends with leaving cookies for Santa. 

60. That's Not My Santa (Board book) Fiona Watt. 2008/2012/2023. 8 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  That's not my Santa...his sleigh is too sparkly. That's not my Santa...his sack is too rough.

I have a weakness for GREAT touch-and-feel elements. The story can be a little weak, but give me good textures to feel, and I'll be drawn to it. The story is simple and a bit repetitive. But the textures for the most part are satisfying. I particularly love the rough sack. (Though I will argue that SPARKLY is never, never, never a texture.) Technically, Santa's gloves (look like mittens and definitely are NOT fuzzy despite the text) aren't quite right. But overall this one was pleasing.

61. Baby's First Passover. (Board book). DK Publishing. 2024. 13 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, is a Jewish festival of eight days. It celebrates how the Jewish people became free from slavery, many years ago. 

I have not read any in this series so I don't have anything to compare it to. Is it short on details? Have too many details? Don't know. Want to know. I definitely had a few questions. Is it unrealistic for a board book to answer all my questions? Probably. This one blends illustrations with photographs. It briefly--very briefly--mentions plagues of Egypt. For "disease" it shows a cow with a thermometer in its mouth. I don't have experience with other board books about Passover to compare this one with. I have read a few picture books, but that definitely does not seem fair. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

50-53. Board Book Parade

50. Butts. Katrine Crow. [Board book] 2020. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who has a fluffy butt like this? A bunny! Who has a feathery butt like this? A chicken!

This is an admittedly silly and playful book featuring photographs of animal butts. There are a series of questions and answers--the question shows the back side, the answer the front side. 

I really LOVED some of these photos. Some of the photos are so incredibly cute and adorable. I think this would be a fun book to read aloud to a little one. 

51. Bellies. Katrine Crow. [Board book] 2020. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Who has a furry belly like this? A lynx! Who has a wet belly like this? A sea turtle! 

I'm not sure if Bellies or Butts was published first. But these two are good companions, and, of course, they are by the same author. This one features photographs of animal bellies. Again, a series of questions and answers. 

I really enjoyed some of the photographs. I do think the answers are perhaps not quite as obvious in this one. Lynx bellies, Bengal bellies, they don't look all that different from any/every cat. Both books--both Butts and Bellies--feature a range of animals. 

52. Counting Our Blessings. Emma Dodd. [Board book] 2020. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We're counting our blessings one by one. How many will there be? Let's count together, just us two, and very soon we'll see.

Two dogs count their blessings in Emma Dodd's newest board book. The illustrated dogs--parent and pup--are SUPER, SUPER, SUPER, SUPER adorable. The text itself--written in rhyme--is serviceable. Nothing objectionable about it, perhaps a tiny bit bland, but it gets the job done. It celebrates an attitude of gratitude AND counts to ten. 

53. (Little Chunkies) Animals in the Forest. DK Publishing. 2023. [Board book] 10 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The bees swarm around the nest. The bear wakes up from its afternoon rest. The wolf howls at the glowing moon. The birds sing their pretty tune. 

I was disappointed. Despite it saying this is a "touch and discover" book, there are no touch and feel elements. There are cut-outs, but holes aren't a touch and feel element. There are raised elements, but cardboard in and of itself is not a touch and feel element. The holes might make for an amusing way to turn pages for little hands. Raised elements may or may not catch the eyes and keep attention. But this is hardly an interactive board book.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40-42. Board Book Parade (Farm Edition)

40. Board book: Country Baby. Laurie Elmquist. Illustrated by Ellen Rooney. 2024. 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We pull on rubber boots
Splash into puddles with both feet
Look for speckled eggs
The sheep's wool is cozy-cozy

My thoughts (preview): I find it incredibly sad that my first and foremost response is to notice all the lack of periods in the text. One period for the whole book. 

Premise/plot: Little ones follow the adventures of a country baby (and country mom) in this board book. The text is descriptive yet still simple. 

My thoughts: I like this one. It is a farm book that does feature a story. It goes beyond animal identification and/or animal sounds. It is set on a farm, but I think it focuses more on the parent-child relationship. I do think the book celebrates nature and 'country life.'

41. Slide and See First Words: Farm (Board book) Helen Hughes. Illustrated by Samantha Meredith. 2024. 12 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Farm buildings
farmhouse
barn
henhouse
There is one house for the famer and houses for the animals, too.

Premise/plot: This is an 'interactive' board book for parents to share with little ones. Each page/spread (including the cover) features a sliding element that reveals words. (Hence: slide and see). There are other peek-a-boo surprises besides words alone. 

Many pages feature questions and answers. Questions like "What color is the barn? Who lives inside the barn? What are they eating?" On the next page--the page with the sliding elements--we've got sentences waiting for the answers to slide in. The barn is red. Inside the barn are the animals. They are eating hay.

Each spread is farm-themed, but there is no continuous story. 

My thoughts: How could I read this one without flashing back to Baby Einstein's Baby MacDonald. I can hear the music even. I do like the sliding elements. I think they are fun. Obviously, I have not tested their durability. I haven't slid them back and forth hundreds of times. I haven't played with the book roughly. I have not tasted it. But I do like it and would easily recommend it. 

Farm books are not "new" or unique. There will always be plenty of new farm books published each year, every year. Probably not all staying in print.

42.  Board book: Don't Push the Button! On the Farm. Bill Cotter. 2024. 24 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Hey there! Great to see you again! I'm so excited to be visiting the farm with you. Let's go! Don't open the gate that means you!!! Oh, don't worry about that sign. It's probably nothing. Could you flip open the latch? I can't reach it.

Premise/plot: This is an interactive board book in the sense that it is asking readers to participate using their imagination. (Think Blue's Clues or Dora the Explorer or the like). It is written using the second person--you. The book is pure silliness from cover to cover.

My thoughts: These books fall flat unless you're really to engage fully. I do think the book can be appealing because it is enthusiastically over-the-top silly. I think the person reading aloud can help this be an engaging read as well. (Sometimes how you read a book aloud is so important.) 

I like this one, but didn't personally love it.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers