94. Mouse and Spoon: Rabbit Tea

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

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

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

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

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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

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

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

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

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

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

296-298 Early Chapter Books Parade

296. Cornbread and Poppy at the Museum (Cornbread & Poppy #3) Matthew Cordell. 2023. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  One crisp, clear winter's day, an exciting letter arrived. It was a special invitation for Cornbread, plus one guest of his choosing.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy are friends. But are they more than friends? I am not suggesting that this book is not age inappropriate by any means. I just think that Cornbread likes likes Poppy. In this one, Cornbread wants to take Poppy to the museum. For him it is thrilling and wonderful. For her, well, it is less so. Not that she dislikes his company, mind you. But well, the museum isn't thrilling, fun, amazing, wonderful. She could think of a lot better ways to entertain herself. She wants Cornbread to go camping with her. (He doesn't want to go camping.) 

My thoughts: The "plot" of this one is just as boring--in my opinion--as my summary suggests. Cornbread is distracted by all the "wonderful" "exciting" exhibits and Poppy is uninterested and just biding time. The day isn't uneventful, by any means, just a bit unevenly paced. It felt pretentious instead of quaint and charming. Still, these two mice are adorable. 

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two books. But I still like these characters.

297. Trim Sets Sail. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Some cats are happy curling up at home. Others look for adventure. This is the story of a kitten who was always ready to go.

Premise/plot: Historical animal fantasy in an early chapter book format. Loosely inspired by the real-llife "Trim" who lived in in the nineteenth century and sailed with explorer Matthew Flinders. In this one, the first in a series, Trim is learning about life on board ship and meeting all sorts. 

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one because CATS. It wasn't quite entertaining enough for me personally but I still like the premise of imagining adventures about this explorer cat. Perhaps future books in the series will develop things more. This was very introduction-y and world-building.

298. Trim Helps Out. Deborah Hopkinson. 2023. [October 24] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Trim was a brand-new ship's cat. It was his first morning at sea. He wanted to do a good job. But trim wondered, How can I help?

Premise/plot: Trim wants to be the BEST ship's cat ever. But how can he make himself useful? What jobs can he do? What jobs CAN'T he do? Will he find his place? 

My thoughts: This one is mostly Trim having mini-mis-adventures on board. He's making new friends and getting into a little bit of trouble here and there. For example, he's supposed to be watching out for rats, but he doesn't recognize what rats look like....so he befriends one. It is cute. It wasn't the most thrilling book ever, but I like the idea of historical early fiction starring cats.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

121. The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse

Picture Book: (Golden Book) The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse. Miriam Norton. Illustrated by Garth Williams. 1951. 22 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: There were five Miggses: Mother and Father Miggs, and Lester and two sisters. They had, as field mice usually do, an outdoor nest for summer in an empty lot and an indoor nest for winter in a nearby house. They were very surprised one summer day to find a strange bundle in their nest, a small gray and black bundle of fur and ears and legs, with eyes not yet open. They knew by its mewing that the bundle must be a kitten, a lost kitten with no family and no name.

Premise/plot: Mickey is the kitten raised as a mouse. He goes many months thinking--believing--that he is a mouse. He's raised to fear cats, to watch for cats. So what happens when the human family discovers him, starts feeding him, and shows him--via a mirror--that he IS a cat. Can he overcome the confusion? Will he choose to live as a mouse or a cat? How will he feel about his adopted family? 

My thoughts: I'll be honest the text was all over the place. I'm all for nature versus nurture. (Though it isn't always my favorite or best theme. My favorite of this type being LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION which is just pure awesomeness.) I loved, loved, loved the illustrations by Garth Williams. Garth Williams illustrating cute and adorable cats, kittens, and mice?!?! I'm there for it. I'd read it for his illustrations alone.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

120. Anatole and the Cat

Anatole and the Cat (Anatole #2) Eve Titus. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1957. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image] 

First sentence: In all France there was no mouse more honored or respected than Anatole. He was very proud of his job as Cheese Taster at the factory of M'sieu Duval. Nobody knew that he was not a man but a mouse, not even M'sieu Duval, for he did his work after the others went home.  

Premise/plot: Anatole is Vice President in charge of tasting all the cheese. (What a job!) But his job security--and his life--is threatened by the presence of an unexpected cat in the factory. The owner has a cat that is, well, stubborn. Anatole writes M. Duval and tells him the cat must go or he will. If the boss can't keep his cat under control, maybe just maybe Anatole can bell that cat!

My thoughts: These two Anatole books are AWESOME. I really loved both books. I adore the illustrations. Highly recommended.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

119. Anatole

Picture book: Anatole (Anatole #1) Eve Titus. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1956. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: In all France there was no happier, more contented mouse than Anatole. He lived in a small mouse village near Paris with his dear wife Doucette and their six charming children--Paul and Paulette, Claude and Claudette, George and Georgette. 

Premise/plot: Anatole is flustered, to say the least, when he learns that humans think of mice as vermin. He decides to 'redeem' the way things are--mice sneaking human food. He goes to a cheese factory prepared. He brings typed notes (flags, I believe). Extra-'Specially Good, 'Specially Good, Good, Not So Good, No Good. He will stick these flags/notes into each cheese he samples. He'll also write additional notes sharing his opinions. M. Duvall is surprised but ultimately pleased. He listens to Anatole's advice and his sales increase. Anatole has a gift for what makes a great cheese great. M. Duvall invites Anatole to continue visiting the factory and helping out. He even leaves extra snacks and treats. (Of course, he doesn't know Anatole is a mouse exactly). Anatole is therefore honorably able to provide for his family. It's a win-win situation...

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I loved it so much!!! It is one of those that is practically perfect in every way. I loved the text, the story. I loved the illustrations. What a fun world Eve Titus created! 

I really loved the five categories Anatole uses. I might even use those categories instead of stars. Maybe.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

107. Great Mouse Detective: Basil of Baker Street

Basil of Baker Street. (Great Mouse Detective). Eve Titus. 1958. 113 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  The mystery of the missing twins could never have been solved by an ordinary detective. But Basil, of course, was far from ordinary.

Premise/plot: Basil and Dr. David Q. Dawson share a house with Sherlock Holmes. Basil, the great detective, is a mouse who learns from the best of the best. Dr. David Q. Dawson is his sidekick, his Watson, if you will. In this early chapter book--illustrated, of course, the two solve the case of two missing children--Agatha and Angela. This is a case that will put them in some degree of danger--particularly from owls--but they will stay on the case and follow all the clues...

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I think I would have probably loved it even more as a kid. It just LOOKS like a delightful, fun, animal fantasy. (And fortunately, it is nothing like Stuart Little.) As an adult, I do have a few questions as to how this mouse society works. The infrastructure between the human world and the mouse world--I've got questions. It makes sense that his mouse city would all be housed either in the basement or the attic of Sherlock Holmes' place, but, I'm not sure HOW he gets around to all the places he gets. And I think there's even trains? I don't know. The more I thought about this one, the more questions I had. But it was in some ways just a delight.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

157. Violet and Jobie

Violet and Jobie In the Wild. Lynne Rae Perkins. 2022. [September] 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The SNAP! of the cheese game was frightening if you weren’t expecting it. Or even if you were. Violet and Jobie stuffed tissue into their ears. Together they lifted the snapping pole, then moved into their assigned places: Jobie crouching in front, Violet reaching up behind him.

Premise/plot: After Violet and Jobie are caught, these brother-sister mouse siblings are released in the wild. Before, nature was something that they watched on the television screen, not something that they actually experienced. But now that they are in the wild, they have to find a way to survive. Not just against the elements, but against predators as well. These two find a great friend in Zolian (I believe I have the name right; I didn't write it down in my notes). With a little help from an older--much older--and wiser--much wiser mouse, these two may be able to live out their lives. But being a mouse is always risky.

My thoughts: My favorite thing about Violet and Jobie was the narrative. I loved the writing. I enjoyed the characterization. It is--in my opinion--a bittersweet novel. But if you enjoy animal fantasy OR coming of age novels OR novels with a Kate DiCamillo touch, then this one should be one you consider. I absolutely loved, loved, loved parts of this one.

Quotes:

Let’s go toward the sun,” she said. “At least we’ll be going in a straight line.”

And so, they did.

They couldn’t always see the sun, but they could see the shadows, and then guess where the sun was. For quite a long time, they made their way silently. Sometimes they clambered over a boulder or skirted a puddle. After each obstacle, they checked to see where the light was, and where there was shadow. And then they continued on, as lost in their own thoughts as they were in this world. Violet’s thoughts bounced all around. She thought about cheese, and where and whether it could be found in this strange place. She thought about their mother and father and brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins, who would be wondering where they were. 

 

“It’s not going to be a human house,” he said. “There are no human houses here.”

“I know that,” she said. “But—”

“But what?” asked Jobie.

The truth was, Violet didn’t know But what. She was going through a process. She was getting used to an idea. The idea that life was going to be different now.

The first hollow they looked at (that didn’t smell of fox) seemed unbearably primitive. Horrible. And they were all much the same after that. But she began to notice slight differences: how this one felt sort of cozy. How this other one had a good view. How the next one had an alcove, almost an extra room. She knew she was going to have to settle for something soon. They stopped to rest and get a drink of water at the edge of a pond. As she wiped her mouth with her paw, which was now muddy so of course she had to then rinse it off and wipe her face again, Violet surveyed the scene. Trees, trees, trees. And rocks. Mud and dirt. She glared at the trees. And the rocks, the mud, and the dirt.

 

And then he couldn’t remember what he was trying to remember. Oh, yes—the familiar flavor. But he couldn’t even taste it anymore. It had blended in with the rest of his mouth.

“Let it go,” he told himself as he drowsed off once more. “You’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

Which, in a way, was an answer to the question what does it taste like? Because if there was going to be a tomorrow, what it tasted like was hope.

And then another mouse, Bear (Because he was big and burly. For a mouse.), explained an even more complicated game where a mouse pretended to be another animal that was pretending to be even another animal, and they had to guess both. To demonstrate, Bear pretended to be a bee pretending to be a snake. It was almost impossible to act out, and even harder to guess, but they all laughed so hard they couldn’t see straight. Tears of laughter streamed down their cheeks.

 

“Jobie is right,” she murmured as she hurried down the tree and into the connecting burrow. “I will be fine. I will be fine. I will be fine.

“I will be alone and miserable, but fine.” She laughed. And when you hear yourself laugh, that’s when you know that you really will be fine. Eventually. Maybe even sooner.

Violet hummed a little as she searched the tunnels and chambers of Zolian’s abode. He didn’t seem to be in any of the usual spots, but with Zolian, this was not unusual. She called out his name and was impressed by the cheeriness of her own voice.

“Good job, Violet,” she said. She called out again and listened for a response, but heard nothing. She began to worry. Until she remembered that the day before, Zolian had told her about the migration of the sandhill cranes.

“It’s really something to see,” he had said. “I came upon it in my rambling days, and I still like to make the pilgrimage. They are very large birds, and thousands of them lift up and fly all at once. Really heart-stopping.

Her courage flagged. She had been quite brave, she thought.

“How many times do I have to be brave?” she asked. She knew the answer: At least one more time. Always one more time.

“I don’t want to,” she said.

It’s scary when you don’t know what to do. But if you can think of one or two things that you do know how to do, and then do them, that can help.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

117. Baby Squeaks

Baby Squeaks. Anne Hunter. 2022. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Baby Mouse was a quiet baby...at first.

Sometimes a pause speaks volumes. I love a good pause in a picture book. Baby Squeaks is fun new picture book. A Mama mouse is super, super, super, super, super excited and thrilled when her baby learns to speak. (The first word and the billionth word are the same--squeak.) Soon her quiet baby is anything but quiet. Mama misses the peace and quiet. But Baby Mouse left on his or her own, well, can be a little dangerous. [Or perceived to be dangerous.] Baby Mouse starts wandering around talking, talking, talking, talking to everyone. Can Mama Mouse find Baby Mouse? 

I liked this one. I'm torn between liked and really liked. [I'm not quite prepared to love it.] I'm genuinely torn between finding the illustrations expressionless and full of expression. I just can't make up my mind. I think the eyes can be very expressive on the animals. But there is also something very still about the illustrations. I do like the book. I do.

The book is predictable (which isn't a bad thing). 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

104. Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival

Cornbread and Poppy at the Carnival. (Cornbread and Poppy #2) Matthew Cordell. 2022. [May] 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Cornbread was hungry. His best friend, Poppy, was eleven minutes late for lunch. "Cornbread, I have the best news!" said Poppy, finally arriving at his door. Cornbread loved Poppy, but he always worried when she had "the best news." "Come in, Poppy," Cornbread said. "The last time you had the best news, we saw that terrible movie you wanted to see. I had nightmares for a week." Cornbread was afraid of monsters. "The time before that when you had the best news we ate that terrible runny cheese you wanted to eat. It upset my stomach for hours." Cornbread was afraid of runny cheese. "And the time before that when you had the best news, we explored the old Crawdad Caverns...and I fainted." Cornbread was afraid of the dark.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy are best, best, best, BEST FRIENDS. But the two are VERY different from one another. This book is about Poppy's BEST IDEA EVER which is for the two of them to go to the carnival together. The two have many adventures (and perhaps a misadventure) at the carnival....the day will be memorable!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED this early chapter book. I loved Poppy. I loved Cornbread. I am so glad these two have each other. (Yes, I know they are fictional.) I identify strongly with Cornbread!!! I definitely recommend this series.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40. Cornbread and Poppy

Cornbread and Poppy. Matthew Cordell. 2022. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was winter.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy is the first in a new early reader series by Matthew Cordell. This first book introduces the characters Cornbread and Poppy--two mice who are as different as different can be. The three stories are all set in the winter season. The three stories are "The First Snow," "Holler Mountain," and "The Food Problem." The stories are linked together--build upon one another. 

Essentially, long story short, Cornbread is WELL prepared for winter; Poppy is ill-prepared for winter. The three stories are about these two working together to help Poppy out of a situation.

My thoughts: The moment I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this one! The cover just says READ ME, READ ME! Mice in fiction are always a thousand times cuter (and more appealing) than mice in real life. So reading about these mice friends sounded like a treat.

I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure that I loved, loved, loved it so completely that I push it (literally) into the hands of every single person I know. But I did push it into my mom's hands. (And I'll recommend it to my sister as well.) I definitely liked it well enough that I want MORE in the series.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

7. Chester's Way

Chester's Way. Kevin Henkes. 1988. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Chester had his own way of doing thing....he always cut his sandwiches diagonally. He always gout out of bed on the same side. And he never left the house without double-knotting his shoes.

Chester, our LOVABLE and RELATABLE (mouse) hero, stars in Kevin Henkes' Chester's Way, a picture book celebrating FRIENDSHIP.

Chester without a doubt has his OWN WAY of doing things and living life. But fortunately for Chester, he is BLESSED with a friend, Wilson, who is similarly inclined. Chester is not alone and isolated for living life on his own terms--with his own quirks--because he has found a kindred spirit who sees the world the same way he does. Without Wilson, perhaps Chester's Way would not have been so cheer-y and happy.

The "conflict" in the book is when Lily comes to town--or enters the scene/picture. Is there a place for Lily in Wilson and Chester's world? Can Lily who has her own unique, quirky way of living life find her place in this friendship?

The answer of course is YES. Quirks = blessings in Kevin Henkes' fiction. I love the way these young mice come together and cement their friendship.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Motor Mouse Delivers

Motor Mouse Delivers. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2020. [August] 72 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Motor Mouse loved a good story.

Motor Mouse Delivers is an early chapter book; I believe it is the second in a new series by Cynthia Rylant. (I reviewed the first and third book in 2021.) This early chapter book has three stories: "Radio Mystery Book," "Day of the Double Decker," and "A Good Game of Croquet."

In the first story, "Radio Mystery Book," Motor Mouse reveals his preferences. He loves, loves, loves to read. He keeps a stack of books by his bed for nighttime reading. But, he never, ever, ever reads mysteries at nights. In this short story, Motor Mouse discovers something new and delightful: A RADIO MYSTERY show. The show adapts mystery (books) into radio serials. He is captivated!!! The only thing that would improve the experience is a good CUP OF TEA. The next day he comes prepared!!! But....Motor Mouse is also super-super-super tempted to go to the library to check out the mystery from the radio show to read what happens next. Will he give into temptation?????

In the second story, Motor Mouse has car trouble and is forced to change HOW he makes deliveries...while it is being repaired. He is forced to change, adapt, go with the flow. Will Motor Mouse have fun???

In the third story, Motor Mouse is once again spending time with his brother Valentino. This time...obviously...the two are playing croquet.

I love, love, love, crazy love the first story. The three books as a whole are good. Some stories are more memorable than others. But Motor Mouse is a likeable character.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Forty Winks

Forty Winks: A Bedtime Adventure. Kelly DiPucchio. Illustrated by Lita Judge. 2021. [October 26] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "It's time for bed!" the Wink parents said.

Premise/plot: The Wink parents have THIRTY-EIGHT to put to bed to be precise! The Winks are a family of MICE. This bedtime book goes through the usual routine--though a bit more intense perhaps--that parents go through daily when caring for little ones. The illustrations give details to ALL thirty-eight children highlighting the fact that each child is unique, special, loved. (The book also lists ALL of their names under their illustrations at the beginning. The names are definitely FUN and SILLY.)

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I love the illustrations. Some of the Winks are just so absolutely adorable. You could definitely pick a favorite to follow throughout the book. Perhaps a new one each time if you're going to choose it as an again-again-again book with little ones. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

179. Motor Mouse

Motor Mouse. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2019. 62 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Motor Mouse and his friend Telly loved cake.

 Premise/plot: Motor Mouse is a new early reader series by Cynthia Rylant. It has three stories all starring Motor Mouse and his friends. The three stories are "Friday Cake Day," "Going for a Look About," and "Front Row at the Picture Show."

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! My absolute favorite of the three was "Friday Cake Day." The two friends always, always, always have cake together on Friday. But what happens when there is NO CAKE. As Telly laments, "What is the point of it all without cake?" Still, these two friends find a bit of joy when a new friend introduces them to the goodness of PIE. 

The other two stories were fun as well. In the final story, Motor Mouse and his brother, Valentino, go to the picture show...and some sibling quibbling results. Does Valentino really HOG all the popcorn? Does Motor Mouse really mind all that much??? 

Overall, I thought this was a strong (solid) selection of stories. I'd definitely recommend it to parents and teachers. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

162. Clarice the Brave

Clarice the Brave. Lisa McMann. 2021. [October] 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mutiny. I'd heard that word before.

Premise/plot: For those that enjoy--even love--animal fantasy I'd recommend Lisa McMann's Clarice the Brave. This children's fantasy takes place mainly at sea--mainly. It stars two young mice--brother and sister--Clarice and Charles Sebastian. Life on board ship is HARD and full of dangers. Humans and cats pose the greatest risk--though the natural elements of wind, waves, storms pose a risk as well. But what will happen to these two when DISORDER breaks out on ship? Mutiny spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E. When Clarice and Charles Sebastian are separated--by circumstances beyond their control--can either survive long enough to find the other?! The book follows both Clarice and Charles Sebastian in alternating chapters. (Or I believe they are alternating equally.) 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I personally found it hard to keep track of the alternating narrators. I wish that the book had better signals or indicators to let readers know with confidence who was narrating. I found myself searching for clues and context--anything to help me clarify if it was Clarice or Charles Sebastian. 

Reading is subjective. And sometimes you read a book with several distractions going on that the author is not to blame for. That could be the case here. I'd have to reread this one later to see. Since I mostly enjoyed it more than not, that isn't out of the question. 

I think Clarice the Brave would make a lovely animated film. I do. 

I thought Special Lady was a GREAT cat. I was very, very, very, very angry with the book for a couple of chapters. Think CHARLOTTE'S WEB upset.

I loved the recurring message. It only takes one mouse to believe in you. And that one mouse is me.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

18. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum. Kevin Henkes. 1991. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture books; animal fantasy; school; friendship]

First sentence: The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents’ lives.

Premise/plot: Chrysanthemum loves, loves, loves her name until she starts school and is teased by her classmates. Will Chrysanthemum find a way to love her name again and make a few friends in the process?

My thoughts: I don’t know which Kevin Henkes book is my favorite. There are so many great, timeless stories that he has given readers over the years. Chrysanthemum is a charming character that needs a bit of a confidence boost when she starts school. She is just as lovely and unique as her name.

I recommend this one. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it since it was first published. I am a bit surprised that no one has made an animated series starring a class with all his characters—perhaps minus siblings. I think they all take place in the same world.

Text: 4/5
Illustrations:5/5
Total:9/10 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

17. Owen

Owen. Kevin Henkes. 1993. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture books; love objects; security blankets; animal fantasy]

First sentence: Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. He’d had it since he was a baby. He loved it with all his heart.

Premise/plot: Owen loves, loves, loves his blanket. Life is good—no, life is great! But school threatens to change all that. Owen’s parents are being encouraged by a nosy neighbor that Owen absolutely has to lose the blanket before he starts school. Can Owen keep his Fuzzy and start growing up into a big boy (big mouse, I suppose) too?

My thoughts: Owen is a great book. I love, love, love the writing, the story, the characters, the illustrations, just everything. It really is a timeless story. Highly recommended.

Text:5/5
Illustrations:5/5
Total:10/10

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Little Book About Colors

A Little Book About Colors (Leo Lionni's Friends). Leo Lionni. Jan Gerardi. 2019. Random House. 28 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Red a bright red balloon

Premise/plot: This board book is inspired by the work of Leo Lionni. As far as I can tell, Lionni did not actually write or illustrate any of the book. It is a concept book teaching colors. It stars Lionni's mice.

My thoughts: I liked this one fine. I think my favorite was GRAY. The accompanying sentence was just one little word: ME! There are only three marks of punctuation in the entire book--two exclamation points and one period. Part of me is annoyed that this board book lacks proper sentences. (I don't think little ones will care about that.)

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

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run!

Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! An Alphabet Caper. Mike Twohy. 2016. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Aleep
Ball
Catch
Dog
Eye
Feet
Grrrr
Help!
I'll chase!
Jump
Kitchen
Living Room

Premise/plot: Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! is an alphabet caper by Mike Twohy. Without using a single complete sentence, Twohy packs adventure and drama into his story. It stars a dog and a mouse.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed Stop, Go, Yes, No! A Story Of Opposites. So I decided to read the first book, Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! Both books star this lovable dog. I really LOVED both books. They are great fun. They are good for pre-readers, early readers, and readers of all ages.

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers