47. Cats in Construction Hats

 

47. Cats in Construction Hats. Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, construction, cats, picture book, rhyming books]

First sentence: Yellow cat. Greet hat. Dig this. Clear that. Green cat. Orange hat. Mix this. Pour that. Orange cat. Blue hat. Load this. Move that. Blue cat. Red hat. Lift this. Lower that. Red cat. Purple hat. Place this. Weld that.

Premise/plot: There are MANY cats--hat-wearing-cats--starring in this construction-themed picture book for young readers. But will the construction project go as planned? Or will things go terribly wrong? Can these cats work together as a team to fix the problem? 

My thoughts: I liked this one. There were things I noticed the second time through reading it that I had missed the first time. I'm not sure exactly why there are rats on the scene and how they come into the story. I'm trying not to overthink this one. But you might try looking for rats on each spread to see if there are secondary stories going on that aren't part of the text narrative.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat.

 

[Board Book] 24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [board books, cats]

First sentence: Hi, cat. Bye, cat. LOUD cat. Shy cat. One cat. Four cats. Even more cats!

Premise/plot: Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat is a BOARD book for cat-loving babies. Well, for the youngest of 'readers' whose caregivers love cats. It is written in rhyme. The illustrations are super-bold and colorful. There isn't much text per page--which makes it a great fit for the youngest readers. It's a silly book with plenty of illustrated cats. It also features opposites.

My thoughts: I love, love, love cats. I do. This one was fun and joyful. I enjoyed it.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

158. Board book: For Your Smile

Board book: For Your Smile. Loryn Brantz. 2022. [September] 22 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: For your smile, I'd quack quack like a duck. Because when you're smiling, I can't believe my good luck! For your giggles, I'd hop hop like a bunny. And I'd keep on hopping, as long as you think it's funny. For your belly laugh, I'd tweet tweet like a bird. Because it's the best sound that I've ever heard.

Premise/plot: Board book for very young "readers." This one is illustrated in three colors--black, white, red. The text is a rhyming text. I'd say at least half the book has great rhythm. (The rhythm begins to break up about that point in the text. This may not bother most readers.)

My thoughts: I really loved this one--especially in the beginning. I loved the rhyming rhythm. I was like FINALLY a rhyming book that I can 100% recommend as being super-awesome. And then about halfway through the rhythm becomes a little clunkier. Where the rhythm begins to slip off being oh-so-perfect and just-right to perhaps half a syllable too many per line. Just oh-so-close. I think the majority of readers--especially little ones--won't notice. I think this one still has great potential and is to be recommended.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

21. The More the Merrier

The More the Merrier. Davie Martin. Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. 2021. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hey, hey, here comes Bear--
Over rocks, under trees,
Kicking feet, bending knees,
Stepping high, stepping low,
Stepping fast, stepping slow.
And he's not alone, or not for long,
Loose as a goose...
It's Moose!

Premise/plot: The More the Merrier is a fun rhyming book starring LOTS of forest animals. These animals each have their own unique way of being happy, of having fun.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked the rhyme and rhythm of it all. I like books that have a good flow. Some books just have this certain something that makes them great to share as a read aloud. One's appreciation for the text is improved upon reading aloud and hearing it. (Not that it is not enjoyable read silently.) It's just that poetry is meant to be heard or dare I say it... performed???

I think this one should be published as a board book as well.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers