116. The Dictionary Story

116. The Dictionary Story. Oliver Jeffers. Illustrated by Sam Winston. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [picture book]

First sentence:  Most of the time, all the books knew what they were about. But there was one book who was never quite sure of herself. The dictionary had all the words that had ever been read, which meant she could say all the things that could EVER BE SAID. Yet, when you read her pages from FIRST to LAST, she didn't tell a story like all the other books.

Premise/plot: The Dictionary is envious that all the other books in the library tell a story while she does not. She decides to bring the words within to life. And so it begins...

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this quirky, fun, celebratory story. The words that are brought to life make for a lively read. The plot is chaotic and silly, yet in a delightful way--at least for me. I enjoyed the resolution. I think this one has potential for readers of multiple ages. I do think young readers could write stories of their own inspired by this one. The possibilities for new stories are endless since the dictionary is vast. It is a creative story book.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

172. The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Brad Montague. Illustrated by Brad and Kristi Montague. 2023. [March] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Welcome to the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Apologies, but humans are not allowed to see the outside of our secret headquarters. It is highly classified. You'll just have to imagine it. Some young humans have mailed us art to show what they think our building looks like. They are always wrong. Most of our agency business is handled by curious little creatures known as figments.

Premise/plot: This picture book reveals that "every song that has ever been sung; every piece of art that has ever been hung; every dream that's ever been dreamed" have their source in the FANTASTIC BUREAU OF IMAGINATION. The book gives readers a behind the scenes glimpse of life in the bureau/agency. It follows the adventures and misadventures of the figment, Sparky.

My thoughts: I can't make up my mind on this one. On one hand, I really like elements of it. On the other hand, I'm not quite sure if I love it. It's an odd little picture book. I think it could be good to read aloud for writing teachers. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

21. A Story Is To Share

A Story Is To Share: How Ruth Krauss Found Another Way to Tell a Tale. Carter Higgins. Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. 2022. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Born
a baby
late at night
There's
no parade
just crashing
rain
Soon
the girl
twirls upside-up
and rides her bike
down down the hall
But sickness sticks around a lot
and steals her voice away--
so she wiggle-wiggles little fingers
that's how she says hi
Like this
She listens listens
writes and draws
stitches pages
sews a book
She finds another way
to tell a tale

Premise/plot: This picture book biography is written in verse. It is a biography of children's book author Ruth Krauss. 

My thoughts: I was expecting to like this one. While Ruth Krauss is not my absolute favorite and best author. I do remember reading several of her books growing up. Still, any picture book biography about a children's author/writer is going to be on my radar. I'm going to want to read it and try to get a behind the scenes glimpse of the magic.

I definitely was pleasantly surprised by this one. I really LOVED the narrative style. It is not perfectly perfect. I personally need punctuation. I do. I like periods at the end of sentences. (All punctuation has a role to play in text.) But the beauty of the rhythm works for me. 

I would recommend this one. I do think young readers would probably benefit most if this biography is read alongside some of Ruth Krauss's picture books.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

47. Wondrous Rex

Wondrous Rex. Patricia MacLachlan. Illustrated by Emilia Dziubak. 2020. 88 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am seven years old, and my life is soon to be full of "wondrous" happenings. "Wondrous" is a word I learned from my aunt Lily, a writer of books. Lily lives next door to me, and I go there after school while my mother and father are at work. 

Premise/plot: Grace, our young heroine, is encouraged to write her own stories--as is Lily--when Rex, a Labrador retriever, comes into their lives. A magical dog changes everything--for they can hear him talk and he always knows the exact right thing to say.

My thoughts: I liked this one okay. Rex is never once in danger, which is a good thing for a book with a dog on the cover. The story was pleasant enough throughout. There wasn't any conflict. Which I don't mind horribly. Sometimes you just want a nice, safe, cozy book starring a lovable dog. But the tension remained low--will Grace, our seven year old heroine--start writing stories? The answer is predictable--yes, of course. But in reality there isn't really a wrong answer. Lily can do what Lily wants and seven is a little young to make that decision truly a life-altering one. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

39. The Story of a Story

The Story of a Story. Deborah Hopkinson. 2021. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is the story of a story. You arrive with a pencil or two, a big eraser, your favorite pencil sharpener, and a snack (a healthy one).

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates WRITING STORIES. It is written in the second person. The protagonist 'you' is a young child who experiences a bit of writer's block... but inspiration comes at the end of the picture book.

My thoughts: Lovely illustrations, interesting premise. I can't say that I love, love, love the second person narration. I think it probably works better here than in most other cases. I can see this one being used as a read aloud in an elementary classroom. I think the text lends itself well to a read aloud. The book concludes with writing prompts for the beginning, middle, and end of "your" stories about bird "you" spot outside the window.

My favorite quote is "But other people's stories aren't exactly yours."

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

99. My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World. Malcolm Mitchell. Illustrated by Michael Robertson. 2020. [December] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hi! I'm Henley. And this is a story about finding my very favorite book in the whole wide world.

Premise/plot: Reading doesn't come easily or naturally to Henley. He'd be hard-pressed to answer the question "What is your favorite book?" So when that exact question is asked for a homework assignment, he struggles. He visits the library, the bookstore, talks to his parents. But he's got a trick up his sleeve...maybe his favorite book in the whole wide world doesn't exist yet...because he hasn't written it yet.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I didn't love it. I do like that Henley found his voice and authored his own story. There's something cute and adorable about that. 

Yet at the same time, I wanted him to have an actual actual favorite book. You don't have to read yourself to have a favorite book. You don't. Plenty of kids have a stack of favorite books that they've only heard read aloud, that they've only "read" by looking at the pictures. His not having a favorite book makes me sad. Sad that he didn't have a favorite book at home already in his room, by his bed, a book part of his routine.

 I admit that I may be overthinking this a thousand percent. I do that.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This Is My Book!

This Is My Book! Mark Pett. 2016. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My name is Mark Pett, and THIS IS MY BOOK! I am the author, and that means I get to write all the words. I am also the illustrator, so I get to make all of the pictures, too. Here, I'll draw something. This is Percy the Perfectly Polite Panda. He's going to help me explain the rules of my book. "I prefer to be called Spike." I drew you. I get to name you.

Premise/plot: Once Mark draws SPIKE, the book ceases to be his book. Though I must say Mark fights valiantly for sole control throughout. Spike--and those Spike draws--soon have a say in the action and characterization. Who does this book really belong to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I don't love metafiction for the sake of metafiction. But I happened to enjoy this one. (Though I'm not sure I enjoyed it more than Ryan T. Higgins' Be Quiet. I loved, loved, loved that book so much!!!) Spike is a super-fun character who loves the creative process of making a book. He disagrees with Mark on almost every page. I liked it best when Spike decided the book needed a flap and a pop-up.

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

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This is a Good Story

This is a Good Story. Adam Lehrhaupt. 2017. Simon & Schuster. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]



First sentence: Our story begins with Hero. Or is it Heroine? Both? Yes, that works! Both. Let's try that again. Our story begins with Hero and Heroine. They live in a good town, filled with good people called our Setting. As with any Good Story, ours has a Conflict, a problem that needs fixing. And it's a good thing, too, because without a Conflict there would be no Plot. Our story would go nowhere.

Premise/plot: The narrator of this one is eager to help a little girl write a GOOD STORY.

My thoughts: I LOVE this one. The little girl is both author and illustrator. The narrator is teaching her about the elements of creative writing. Teaching by showing, not telling. It is a fun story about the creative process. It introduces some key terms, but, the educational value of the book doesn't distract from the entertainment value of the book. Will the evil overlord keep the townsfolk in his dungeon forever?! Will Hero and Heroine save the day?!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Chester's Back

Chester's Back! Not a Melanie Watt Book. (By Melanie Watt) 2008. Kids Can Press. 32 pages.

A long time ago, in a faraway land, lived a cat named Chester.

Chester is back for his second adventure. And this playful cat is anything but cooperative for author Melanie Watt. Will this story ever get written? Will it ever have a middle and an end? Or will Chester keep frustrating the creative process? One thing is for sure, Chester is convinced he's destined for great things, he's the star of the show. And he doesn't want readers to forget it!

While I haven't read the first, it didn't keep me from enjoying the second very much. Perhaps loving Chester requires a certain personality, but I think it's cute and playful and all in good fun!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers