56. Jumanji

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

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

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

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

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

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

52. Zathura

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

51. Rebecca the White House Raccoon

51. Rebecca the White House Raccoon. April Genevieve Tucholke. Illustrated by Dave Szalay. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, based on a true story]

First sentence: The President was supposed to eat me. I was packed into a slatted box on a sunny November day in 1926 and shipped to the White House with a note that said: EAT ME FOR DINNER.

Premise/plot: Rebecca, a raccoon, the White House raccoon, narrates this historical picture book based on a true story. Is Rebecca reliable narrator? Maybe. Maybe not. But according to Rebecca she was the FAVORITE pet of the President and First Lady. But readers do learn about other pets as well. Pets that may have been slightly less problematic. Many of these 'pets' were a bit 'wild' in addition to the more traditional pets.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I definitely learned new things while reading it. It's good to have a "political" picture book that isn't divisive. There's plenty of action in this story as well! Overall, I think it would be a fun book to share with young readers.

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



© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

23. Wake Up, Grouchy Bear!

23. Wake Up, Grouchy Bear! David Ezra Stein. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, animal fantasy, picture book]

First sentence: Bear dreams... and dreams.

Premise/plot: Bear is hibernating. Don't wake the bear.

My thoughts: I don't know what I was expecting with this one. I remind myself often that picture books are incredibly, incredibly, incredibly subjective. That what appeals to one reader may not another. This one--for me--had the most boring of plots. Well, that's not fair. There's a light plot to it. Everyone wants Bear to be awake, but not want to be the one to wake him up. I think if I were to reread this one and give it a fairer chance, I might like it better. But for me, I was annoyed that it was black text on blue paper. There was not enough contrast visually for me to comfortably read the text. So instead of a grouchy bear there was a grouchy reader.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

17-22. Picture Book Parade

17. Goodnight, Bruce. (Mother Bruce #10). Ryan Higgins. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, animal fantasy, bedtime book, 4 stars]

First sentence: It's alive! Oh, the horror! The humanity! Why didn't I just eat my vegetables?!

Premise/plot: It is time for bed. Bruce is struggling--well, that's an understatement--to get his children (mice and geese) to actually actually go to bed. It is Friday night. It is monster-movie night. They must, must, must finish the movie. Will Bruce get his family tucked in for the night???? Or will, perhaps, he be outsmarted???

My thoughts: I have loved, loved, loved some of the Bruce books. They are almost always enjoyable. Some have more of a story than others. A few are more 'meh' because they don't seem particularly necessary. HOWEVER, the characters are great fun. If you've read one in the series and enjoyed it, it is definitely worth seeking out others in the series to continue the fun.

18. Lolly on the Ice. Sarah S. Brannen. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, confidence, ice skating]

First sentence: Ice is slippery. "Careful!" said Dad. "It's fine," said Lolly. "No one saw."

Premise/plot: Lolly LOVES to ice skate. She does. It is one of her favorite, favorite, favorite things to do. However, skating in front of others isn't. When there's an ice show opportunity, Lolly at first chooses a background role instead of one performing in the spotlight. However, when another skate is unable to perform and the act is in danger of being cancelled, Lolly might just risk her nerves to help out her friends.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. There aren't really that many books for children about ice skating. This book about self-confidence and conquering one's fears--or nerves--is good.

19. Rumpelstiltskin. Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, fantasy, fairy tale/folk tale]

First sentence: Once upon a time, a girl grew up in the woods, climbing trees and whittling sticks and catching tadpoles with her bare hands. Her father, a poor miller, was a nice enough guy, but he had a big mouth. He told wild stories and bragged all the time. Here, I'll give you an example.

Premise/plot: Mac Barnett has retold the story of Rumpelstiltskin. It has been a while since I read the original, but, it seems traditional and not that much of a variation.

My thoughts: This one is definitely text-heavy. That isn't bad. It just means it's probably best suited for older readers or younger readers with long attention spans. I know some elementary grades do a folk tale and/or fairy tale unit, this one would fit nicely with that. The illustrations are probably what makes this one stand out from other variations. I'm not sure if I love the illustrations? But they are certainly interesting.

20. Tiny Garden. Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by Jax Chow. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, gardening, nature]

First sentence: Andrew loved plants. But the fancy gardens on his block overwhelmed him. Too big. Too tall. Too much. So he dug a small rectangle in the grass. "Is that a garden?" asked a neighbor. "It needs to be much bigger." "This will be my tiny garden," said Andrew.

Premise/plot: Andrew creates a tiny garden that is appreciated greatly by tiny animals that love this garden that feels perfectly perfect for them.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Deborah Underwood is a great writer with a way with words. This one is all about appreciating nature and finding your own happy place in the world.

21. The Future Book. Mac Barnett. Shawn Harris. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: This book is from the future. Lots of things are different here in the future. In the future, the sun is called the moon and the moon is called the sun. Morning is called night and night is called morning. Bananas are called apples and apples? There's no words for apples. We don't have apples in the future.

Premise/plot: The Future Book is many things: whimsical, silly, nonsensical. The pace is perhaps uneven, but, I found the ending worth it.

My thoughts: I don't love every Mac Barnett book I read. HOWEVER, whenever I see a new Mac Barnett at the library I check it out. His books can be odd, whimsical, silly, FUN. I definitely enjoyed this one! Maybe it depends on how you read it aloud, maybe it depends on the audience. BUT I thought it was quite fun.

22. Pizzasaurus. Tammi Sauer. Illustrated by Kyle Beckett. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, animal fantasy, dinosaurs, picture book]

First sentence: You look like someone who knows a lot about dinosaurs. Of course you've heard of Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops. Who hasn't?

Premise/plot: Readers meet a dinosaur that LOVES pizza.

My thoughts: This is a silly picture book. If you have little ones that LOVE pizza and/or LOVE dinosaurs, this one may be a good match. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The plot, well, there isn't much of a plot, BUT pizza + dinosaurs.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

9. Fireworks

9. Fireworks. Matthew Burgess. Illustrated by Catia Chien. 2025. 44 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture books, Caldecott Medal]

First sentence: In the summer, the sun rises
between buildings on our block
to greet us at breakfast,
and it beats warmer and brighter
when we venture out across
steamy city sidewalks.

Premise/plot: A poetic look at a summer day. It is implied that it is the fourth of July, though, that is not stated specifically. But there is a HUGE fireworks display in the evening that they (siblings?) watch from the rooftop.

My thoughts: What makes this one pop? POETIC language, great imagery, and phenomenal illustrations. I love, love, love, love, LOVE the illustrations. I do. The illustrations are incredible. The text is so descriptive and packed with imagery.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. If You Make a Call On a Banana Phone

3. If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone. Gideon Sterer. Illustrated by Emily Hughes. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, imagination, picture books]

First sentence: If you make a call on a banana phone, somewhere deep in the jungle...a gorilla will probably answer. And if they do, they will have some questions, Like, Who are you? and Why are you calling? If you'd like, you can tell the gorilla your name. If you are calling just because, that's okay. But it is good to be interesting and share some things, like your favorite color or sandwich or joke. If you make a gorilla laugh on a banana phone, they will probably like that very much--there aren't many jokes in the jungle, and they might wonder more about you.

Premise/plot:  This book imagines what MIGHT happen if you should make a call on a banana phone (and who hasn't made a call on a banana phone?!?!) It is written in second person.

My thoughts: I love, love, love this one. I do. I love it because it celebrates imaginative play. I love it because it celebrates the wonders and joys of imagination. I love that it is extended imaginative play. It keeps asking what might happen next....and next....and next....and next. I love how so much of the story is told THROUGH pictures.

I think this one would be great for sharing with young readers. Parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians. I do think teachers could do extension activities with this one. Young readers could become young writers and write imaginative stories of their own. They can write their own adventures if they call on a banana phone.


© 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

107. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

107. Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1971. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Christmas, picture book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: Christmas was coming and it was coming fast. It was coming to the town where the houses huddled with their cozy windows shining in the winter dusk. It was coming to the country where snow lay drifted up against the barns and the firewood was all stacked beside the houses. And it was coming to the river and the little run-down place where Emmet Otter and his mother lived, near Frogtown Hollow. Christmas was coming, and money was more scarce than ever.

Premise/plot: Emmet Otter desperately wants to buy a store bought present for his Ma. Ma Otter desperately wants to buy a store bought present for her son. Both realize that it's an almost impossible dream. Money is not to be had. Ma depends on doing the washing--in her washtub--to bring in a bit of money. Emmet depends on his odd jobs--thanks to the toolbox his father left him. Not a spare penny to be found. But when the town has a talent show with a prize of fifty dollars, both must decide if it's time to risk it all for a dream.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love crazy-love the Muppet adaptation of Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas. I do think the ADAPTATION is better. Or perhaps it is just more familiar. The adaptation gives us music, songs, lyrics. The book gives us song titles and a small fraction of the lyrics. And the two don't really have much of a connection except for one or two song titles that are *almost* the same. Still, this one is an enjoyable, cozy read. It's just not quite as magical as the adaptation.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

105. Mr. Willowby's Head Over Heels Christmas

105. Mr. Willowby's Head Over Heels Christmas. Robert E. Barry. 2025. 40 page. [Source: Library] [christmas, picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: On the day before Christmas,
December two-four,
Mr. Willowby was pacing
Outside his front door.
There was frost in the air,
Christmas candles burned bright,
But Mr. Willowby's parlor
Did not look quite right.

Premise/plot: Mr. Willowby's Head Over Heels was a LOST manuscript that is now newly published. It is a follow up to Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree--a children's classic from 1963.

Mr. Willowby's ordered Christmas tree is lost in delivery. But some animal friends--led by Barnaby Bear--help save the door by bringing him a great Christmas tree from the woods. However, getting it to Mr. Willowby won't be without trials and tribulations. This is a Christmas-y comedy filled with plenty of woodland animals.

My thoughts: I greatly enjoy Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. I was so happy to see this one has been published. It is a fun picture book. I enjoyed it very much and would definitely recommend both books.


© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

100. The Crayon Stub

100. The Crayon Stub. Marcus Cutler. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, cats, art, creativity, picture book]

First sentence: Alright, I have my fresh new piece of paper and my box of big, beautiful crayons. Time to draw something TOTALLY SPECTACULAR and become WORLD FAMOUS! No big deal.

Premise/plot: Big Cat's big plans don't go as planned--not at all. It starts with Big Cat discovering that he only has one crayon in his crayon box, and that one crayon is a stub--a red stub. Can Big Cat draw a spectacular picture with just a tiny stub of a crayon?! Can Big Cat draw ANY picture with just a stub? Will he get the opportunity? Or will his sibling interfere?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. It was cute enough, silly enough. I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped all things considered. Probably because I'm an overthinker. I didn't really like the humorous direction this one took of the sibling EATING both the paper and the crayon and magically--literally--spitting out a drawing. I thought that was a little too over the top for me. But I think others may enjoy this one.

 

 

© 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

89. Do You See the Tiger?

89. Do You See the Tiger? Philip Ardagh. Illustrated by David Melling. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: One rainy night in London town, Penny and Daddy went down, down, down...to an underground station deep below, with its inviting lighting all aglow. They were still drying from the rain when in pulled a clattering silver train. WHOOSH! A voice from a speaker, in one loud burst, said: "Please let the passengers off first!"

Premise/plot: Penny sees a tiger on the train; her dad never sees the tiger and does not believe her fanciful story.

My thoughts: This picture book is written in rhyme. The story is simple enough, yet the narrative is lyrical. The lyrical, rhyming narrative elevates it a bit. The story does seem to drag in places, perhaps a little too much text for the story itself, yet this one has its moments. I enjoyed the celebration of imagination. The illustrator is clearly on Penny's side! I definitely liked the illustrations.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. Kitty vs. Kindergarten

88. Kitty vs. Kindergarten. Martha Freeman. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, pets, school]

First sentence: Kitty was a good, nice kitty who lived with a good, nice family.

Premise/plot: Kitty does not particularly want to go to school with her human child to kindergarten. Kitty is quite content to stay at home and 'be regular' doing all the regular kitty things. However, Kitty is catnapped and taken for show and tell. Will Kitty survive her day at kindergarten? Will Kitty learn anything at school?

My thoughts: It was okay. I wanted to like it more than I did...because KITTY. The story is fine enough. Kitty gets out of his comfort zone. Kitty ends up teaching the kindergarten class a few things. It is enjoyable enough to share with little ones starting school who also happen to love KITTIES.



© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

85. George & Lenny Are Always Together

85. George & Lenny Are Always Together. Jon Agee. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, friendship, picture book]

First sentence: George was always with Lenny. And Lenny was always with George. Say, George! Have you ever noticed that we are always together. Yes, Lenny! It's terrific. We are never alone! I wonder, George. What is it like to be alone? Lonely, I bet. And sad! But George, what if being alone is just as much fun as being together?

Premise/plot: George (the bear) and Lenny (the bunny) are best, best, best friends who are always together. But what if they weren't always together. What if--gasp--they took a few hours away from each other! What if Lenny had alone time? What if George had alone time? What if they had alone-time together?! 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. The story was cute and adorable. I liked both Lenny and George. I loved, loved, loved the illustrations. Overall, this one is a delightful read about friendship.

 

© 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

79. The Wild Robot On the Island

79. The Wild Robot on the Island. Peter Brown. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, audio book, picture book]

First sentence: In the middle of the ocean an island stood above the waves. It had meadows and forests and rivers and a great variety of animals. Everything was just right on the island. And then a strange new creature arrived. 

Premise/plot: The Wild Robot has been adapted into a picture book. This picture book introduces younger reader to the basic, central story of The Wild Robot. It is stripped of much of the plot and many of the details.

My thoughts: I am conflicted on the rating. IF you only look at it on its own without taking into consideration either the full-length BOOK or the movie adaptation, then this is a cozy, sweet read for little ones. IF, however, you read it comparing and contrasting it with either the novel or the movie, then it's easy to see how much is truly missing. The book in hand is certainly pleasant enough, a good read. It just does not compare in any way with the novel or even the movie. It isn't quite so bad as comparing a full meal with baby food from a jar, mind you. It's just lacking 'the flavor' and substance of the book.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

73. This Book is Dangerous!

 

73. This Book is Dangerous! Ben Clanton. 2025. 44 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book]

First sentence: How do I exit this place?

Premise/plot: Narwhal and Jelly have starred in an early chapter book series (or is it an early graphic novel chapter book series???) for years now. This is their first picture book, I believe. In this one, Jelly is having a TERRIBLE time of it. And Jelly is blaming YOU the reader for his current troubles. YOU know the book is dangerous. YOU keep turning the pages. YOU keep aggravating the situation by doing the exact opposite of what Jelly wants YOU the reader to do. Will Jelly make it to the end of the book?

My thoughts: I have not read the Narwhal and Jelly series though I have heard great things. This is an 'interactive' picture book. I'll clarify, if YOU the reader use YOUR imagination and play along with Jelly's game, then the book is interactive.

The book is silly and fun. I can see it having appeal with young readers.

 

© 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

62. Here Is a Book

62. Here is A Book. Elisha Cooper. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, book about books]

First sentence: Here is an artist, looking.
And look, here is the artist's garden
made with sun, rain, dirt,
shovels, seeds,
and love.
And here is the artist's home built with wood, hammers,
paint, brushes, a shingled roof, and care,
and her kitchen filled with an oven, bread,
raspberry jam, family, a cat,
and warmth.

Premise/plot: This book celebrates the creation of books poetically--and somewhat abstractly--walking readers through the creative process of writing and publishing a book. The details are more towards an artist illustrating a book or perhaps writing and illustrating a book. 

My thoughts: I enjoy reading books about books. This narrative reads almost like a poem. It is an artistic-creative 'ode' to creating a book. Because of the narrative style I'm thinking elementary aged readers instead of preschoolers or pre-K. 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers