The Composer is Dead

The Composer is Dead. Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. Music by Nathaniel Stookey. 2009. HarperCollins. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The composer is dead. "Composer" is a word which here means "a person who sits in a room, muttering and humming and figuring out what notes the orchestra is going to play." This is called composing. But last night, the Composer was not muttering. He was not humming. He was not moving, or even breathing. This is called decomposing.

Premise/plot: An investigator has been called in to investigate the 'mysterious' death of the composer. WHO murdered the composer and why? Is the murderer to be found in the strings? the brass? the woodwinds? the percussion section?

"I swear on my own intelligence and good looks; I will solve this terrible crime against humanity and/or classical music."

My thoughts: I love, love, LOVE this one. I love the strong narrative voice. The writing is fun and clever. The text is LIVELY.

The Violins answered first, of course. The violin section is divided into the First Violins, who have the trickier parts to play, and the Second Violins, who are more fun at parties. "We were performing a waltz," said the Violins. We played graceful melodies so the ladies and gentlemen could spin around and around and around until they felt dizzy and somewhat nauseous. This kept us busy all night. AHA the Inspector cried, making a note in his notebook. "Perhaps you murdered the Composer for making you play so much." "Don't be ridiculous!" the Violins said. "Violins are the stars of any orchestra. If we killed the Composer, we would have to find work at square dances or in romantic restaurants."  

It is packed with plenty of information about orchestras. Yet at its heart is a dramatic--perhaps melodramatic--STORY.

I love the audio book included with the book. Together the music and the book create a lovely and dark atmosphere. It is an invitation to play and create.

I also love that it's a MYSTERY. So many detective/mystery stereotypes are in play in the narrative. If you love that genre then this one is just giddy-making.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Music: 5 out of 5
Total: 13 out of 15

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Star Wars Block

Star Wars Block: Over 100 Words Ever Fan Should Know. Lucasfilm Ltd. Illustrations by Peskimo. 2018. Abrams. 104 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an epic story began that has inspired generations young and old.

Premise/plot: Abrams has published several BLOCK books in recent years, this is their most recent offering, and it is Star Wars themed.

It is decidedly not a story book. It is a word book. But that's not to say the words aren't arranged in a logical order that allows a story to unfold. It does include characters--words--from all the Star Wars films to date.

My thoughts: I would recommend this one to Star Wars fans of all ages. I'm not sure it's really for little ones--toddlers who chew books. But I think it's a book that can be enjoyed by multiple age groups. The illustrations are fun.



© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Relatives Came

The Relatives Came. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. 1985. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was in the summer of the year when the relatives came. They came up from Virginia. They left when their grapes were nearly purple enough to pick, but not quite.

Premise/plot: The Relatives Came is a celebration of family, and, in part a celebration of summer. In this picture book, relatives come to visit, come to stay for a few weeks of FUN and LAUGHTER.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. It's a joyous book: a celebration of the good life.

Then it was hugging time. Talk about hugging! Those relatives just passed us all around their car, pulling us against their wrinkled Virginia clothes, crying sometimes. They hugged us for hours. Then it was into the house and so much laughing and shining faces and hugging in the doorways. You'd have to go through at least four different hugs to get from the kitchen to the front room. Those relatives!

Rylant is a wonderful author. The Relatives Came earned a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are well worth a closer look. So much detail squeezed in that adds to the narrative.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World

Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World. Colleen AF Venable. Illustrated by Ruth Chan. 2017. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ready for the story? Once upon a time, there was a huge dragon who...

Premise/plot: Letters are falling from the sky again in Venable's newest book! If you read and enjoyed Mervin the Sloth is About to Do The Best Thing in the World, then definitely seek out Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World. The premise is much the same. Amy, our heroine, is telling a story. As letters--and words--begin to fall from the sky their friends begin to get involved--some would say over-involved--in the storytelling process. Will Amy EVER finish telling Mervin a story?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I think Red Pandas are adorable. If you do too, then you might want to read this one. This is definitely a friendship themed story. I liked the ending!

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



© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Will Bear Share?

Will Bear Share? Hilary Leung. 2018. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Bear has a lot to give...but will she share?

Premise/plot: Will Bear Share? is an adorable board book about sharing. The text is simple, but the story is entertaining. You don't need a lot of words to tell a good story. You just need the right words and the right illustrations!

My thoughts: This book is not a 'preachy' book on how you should share every single thing all the time. Some things are for sharing; some things are NOT for sharing. It's good to share an umbrella with a friend. It is NOT good to share a toothbrush with a friend.

I love the way this story unfolds page by page. I found the story entertaining. I love the ending!!!

If there's one thing I didn't like about this one, however, it is that the pages are a little on the thin side and can stick together making it difficult to turn the pages. If you're not paying attention to the text--to the story--you can skip over some pages.

But for the most part, I really enjoyed this one!

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers