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

29. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection. (Cookie Chronicles #3) Matthew Swanson. Illustrated by Robbi Behr. 2021. [December] 336 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ben Yokoyama had a pretty good life.

Premise/plot: Ben Yokoyama is back for his third adventure. This time the fortune cookie's fortune brings out the worst in Ben. Yet somehow despite this--or perhaps because of this--his story remains relatable.

His fortune is that practice makes perfect. Ben doesn't read this message in a way that it applies to himself--not really. He reads it and begins seeing imperfection everywhere. His mom. His dad. His best friend. His classmates. Oh, he doesn't exclude himself completely--he sees that he could improve in some areas (like math and baseball). But for the most part, he sees how others imperfections are interfering with him having the best life. The more he goes on a quest for perfection, the more critical (demanding and just plain rude) he is of others (or to others). He becomes a PAIN to be around. 

Will Ben learn that life is best lived imperfectly?

My thoughts: I found BEN to be a jerk in this one. Yet isn't it realistic that we see others flaws before our own? So even though I hated what the fortune did to Ben in this one (before he learned his ultimate lesson), I could understand how it could happen.

This one features a new friend for Ben who leads him astray. I haven't decided if this new friend is purposefully misleading/lying OR if he's just beating to the beat of a very different drum. Regardless, Ben believes EVERYTHING this kid says. Even when it doesn't make much logical sense.

I loved, loved, loved books one and two. Book three is not my favorite or best (in this series). But it's not a bad book, just the narrator is a little insufferable.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

She's Got This

She's Got This. Laurie Hernandez. Illustrated by Nina Mata. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Every day before school, Zoe watched the birds perched in the tree outside her bedroom window. She loved the way they hopped and balanced on the branches. She loved the way they flew.

Premise/plot: Zoe, the heroine, is excited to start gymnastics. But when she falls off the beam, will Zoe have the courage to get back up and try again?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. I thought it was cute. The theme--or moral--is a practical one. It is written by an Olympic gymnast--a champion.

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: I Am A Zamboni Machine

I Am a Zamboni Machine. 2018. Scholastic. 8 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am a Zamboni machine. I drive around and around the rink. I make the ice clean and smooth. I scrape off bumps with my blade. I spray down hot water to leave a perfect sheet of ice.

Premise/plot: This is a novelty-shaped board book for little hockey lovers. It explains what a zamboni machine does in simple sentences. (I'm not sure why the driver has a puppy dog with him!)

My thoughts: Shape books can be great fun. The pages tend to be easier to turn. The unique edges offer even more for little ones to chew. I am so relieved that the author didn't attempt to tell this story in rhyme! The only thing that would make this one better would be if the wheels turned too.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Figure Skating

Figure Skating. Laura Hamilton Waxman. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The crowd sits on the edges of their seats. They watch a skater glide and spin. They cheer when she jumps off the ice. They gasp as she twirls through the air.

Premise/plot: Figure Skating is a nonfiction early chapter book for young readers. The chapters include, "Going for Gold," "Individual Skating," "Pairs Skating," "Ice Dancing," and "Cheer Them On."

My thoughts: This one covers the bare essentials of the sport only. One might think based on reading this book that the one and only figure skating event that takes place happens during the Winter Olympics every four years.

There is a figure skating season every single year. There are many international competitions each and every year. Not to mention the national competitions for each year. The Olympics are just the tip of the iceburg of what figure skating is. There is a journey involved in the sport.

Almost all--if not all--of the photographs illustrating this one are from the 2014 Olympics.   

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Sock Thief

The Sock Thief. Ana Crespo. Illustrated by Nana Gonzales. 2015. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In a small Brazilian town, Felipe leaves home earlier than usual. He walks a long way to school. Still sleepy, he stops by his family's mango tree. He picks the pinkest mangoes he sees. The sweet fruit wakes him up. Felipe has a secret.

Premise/plot: Once a week, Felipe becomes a SOCK THIEF. On his way to school, he steals socks from the clothes' lines that he passes. In place of the socks he steals, he leaves a mango behind. Why is he a sock thief? Once a week it is his turn to bring a "soccer" ball for the kids to play with. He makes his soccer ball each week with old newspapers and socks.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is written in English with a few Portuguese words added in. (These are defined in the glossary at the end of the book.) I am not a soccer fan, but, I do like seeing creativity and enthusiasm at work.

Text: 3.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3.5 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Simone Biles

Simone Biles. Matt Scheff. 2016. [Dec. 2016] Sportzone. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: US Gymnast Simone Biles had work to do.

Premise/plot: This title is one in the Olympic Stars nonfiction series. It opens and closes with the 2016 Olympics. In between readers learn a little about Simone Biles--her personal background, her work ethic, her athletic career.

My thoughts: The book is definitely reader-friendly. Love the use of photographs throughout. I'd say the audience is elementary school. It includes a timeline, a glossary, and an index. I have personally LOVED, LOVED, LOVED watching gymnastics since I was five or six. I love both the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics. I love hearing the personal stories of the athletes. So this one was an easy choice for me.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Dodger and Me

Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2008. Dodger and Me.

Dodger and Me is a gem of a book and the beginning of a new series by Jordan Sonnenblick. The book stars Willie Ryan and his mostly-always best friend, Dodger. Here's how the flap reads, "What would you do if your best friend was: 1) imaginary, 2) an oversize blue chimp in surfer shorts (Potentially embarrassiiing, but, hey, no one else can see him, right?, 3) Proposing a plan to help you improve your life, 4) Did we say imaginary?, 5) Driving you crazy?!?!" And the back reads, "Okay, I was unpopular. But was I so amazingly unpopular that I needed a magical blue chimp for a best friend? Quite possibly."

Here's how the book itself begins, "Look, if I'm going to tell you everything that happened between me and Dodger, you have to promise you won't tell. And you won't laugh. And you won't mention any of this to dumb old Lizzie from England. I have a weird feeling she wouldn't appreciate it. Not that I care what she thinks. Anyway, I guess I'll have to trust you on this, right? Plus, I'm busting to tell somebody about it. So here goes."

Willie Ryan is a baseball loving kid. Of course it's a slight problem that baseball doesn't quite love him as much as he loves it. He's not all that great a player. He wants to be, no doubt about it, he wants it more than anything. But he has a tendency to goof up when he's up to bat. And this is how we first meet him. And how Willie first meets Dodger.

After losing the game, Willie is off on his own. Ignoring his mom's warnings, he is daring enough to take a shortcut through the woods. While there, he picks up a piece of litter. Not something you'd think was life-changing, right? But this piece of trash isn't ordinary. For out springs Dodger--the blue chimp that isn't quite a genie, but passes for one in an emergency. And the powers that be have deemed Willie an emergency. His friendless condition that is. That and the fact that his mom is the most overprotective mom on the planet--or so Willie thinks.

Once Dodger makes his appearance, there is no doubt about it...Willie's life will change. But will it be for better or for worse?

The book is enjoyable. And it's funny. It's the right blend of what a book is supposed to be.
© Becky Laney of Young Readers