152. Monet's Cat

Monet's Cat. Lily Murray. Illustrated by Becky Cameron. 2020. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Monet was a famous painter with a magic cat. Her name was Chika. She was made of delicate pottery, and lay on a cushion, cool and still, until...Monet tapped her three times with his paintbrush. Then Chika came alive!

Premise/plot: Chika and Monet have lovely adventures together by visiting the paintings in the museum--literally. The two can hop in and out of the artwork! Of course, Chika may be having a bit more fun than Monet--who is chasing her! How much trouble can one cat be?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked it. I do like French impressionists. It's playful and art appreciation all at the same time.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

151. A Walk in the Words

A Walk in the Words. Hudson Talbott. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Drawing always came naturally to me. I drew all the time. I just did it, like breathing.

Premise/plot: Hudson Talbott shares his own story--one that perhaps many, many children (and adults) can relate to--of how learning to read and actually reading was difficult for him. He contrasts his experiences with words with his experiences drawing. He describes his experiences with great detail and imagery--making use of art. The picture book is very visual. "A whole page of text looked like a wall--keeping me out." What he realized is that both art and text can tell stories--great, wonderful, marvelous, amazing stories worth experiencing.

While reading felt overwhelming and exhausting, his approach was practical and ultimately inspiring. "I grabbed overwhelm and broke off over so it just said whelm. It meant the same thing but was more my size. Now I could whelm the words before they overwhelmed me. I'd just read at my own pace. After all, it was my walk in the words. I took time to look for words that I knew. There they were! Like stepping stones leading me onward."

My thoughts: I loved the art. It was so visual, so essential, so fundamental to the story. I loved the text. The story is ultimately a love song to stories...to storytellers...to books. I would recommend it to teachers and parents especially.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

150. Dear Beast: Someone Is Missing

Someone Is Missing (Dear Beast #3) Dori Hillestad Butler. Illustrated by Kevan Atteberry. 2021. [September] 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Dear Beast, It has come to my attention that something is bothering Andy.

Premise/plot: Someone is Missing is the third title (I believe) in Dori Hillestad Butler's Dear Beast series for young readers. The books consist of letters--mainly between Simon, a black cat, and Baxter, a dog. (Simon calls Baxter, "Beast.") Both love, love, love their human (boy), Andy. In this one, Andy is sad, sad, super-sad that the classroom pet has gone completely missing. Can Simon solve the mystery of what happened to Louie??? (Louie is a leopard gecko). Can he do it on his own???? Or will it take a "village" of animals working together???

My thoughts: I have not read the previous books in the series. (I do have them on hold at the library). I enjoyed this one. I do think it would have made slightly more sense if I'd read the books in order. But overall, I enjoyed it enough to WANT to read the previous books. I think the books are silly and fun.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

149. I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900. (I Survived #21) Lauren Tarshis. 2021. [September] 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Noooooooo! A powerful blast of wind grabbed hold of eleven-year-old Charlie Miller and threw him into the raging flood.

Premise/plot: This title is the newest in Lauren Tarshis' ever-popular I Survived Series. Charlie Miller lives with his family on Galveston Island. He loves his family, loves learning magic, HATES being bullied. (Gordon Potts is one reason why he's not looking forward to starting school again.) But life on the island is about to go topsy-turvy.

My thoughts: I have read a couple of adult titles on the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. I have found them fascinating, disturbing, compelling. While the complexities of the story are tamed down considerably for this children's book, it is still a good read. The majority opinion on the island at that time--and in at least some "scientific" circles was that a hurricane could not happen there. That Galveston was safe--as is. That no evacuation would be necessary. It sounds so silly, so presumptuous with hindsight, doesn't it?!?!

I liked this addition to the series.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

148. Jazz for Lunch

Jazz for Lunch! Jarrett Dapier. Illustrated by Eugenia Mello. 2021. [September] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Struttin' with Auntie Nina
down to a club,
We're gonna hear some music
and then eat some grub.

Premise/plot: Jazz for Lunch! celebrates jazz music, food, and family. Auntie Nina and her nephew have a special relationship. She shares her love for cooking and her love for JAZZ with her young nephew...teaching him both how to cook and how to appreciate jazz.

This book--entirely written in rhyme--starts with the two going to a jazz club. But it also has the two going to her place to cook a great meal (while listening to jazz).

Jazz for LUNCH!
The beats got SOUL!
Jazz for LUNCH!
Ham on a ROLL!
Jazz for LUNCH!
The tunes got swing!
Jazz for LUNCH!
Shout, dance, and sing!

(Jazz for lunch being the refrain carried throughout the picture book.)

My thoughts: This book celebrates so many things. Yet it never seems too busy. It feels natural--right. The end papers--if you pay close attention--can serve as an introduction to readers of all ages of some jazz legends.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers