243-247. Picture book parade

243. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! Mo Willems. 2023. [September] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ho. Ho. Whoa! Oh, Hello. Happy holidays! Season's greetings! Festive feathers and peaceful plumage! Jingle bells! Joy! And... Can I drive the sleigh!?!?

Premise/plot: Pigeon is back. This is his first holiday book, I believe. (Though I could be wrong). He wants to drive Santa's sleigh...or does he????? 

My thoughts: I love Pigeon. I do. Perhaps not as much as Elephant and Piggie. But I love, love, love Mo Willems. And Pigeon is always a delight. I've never really been disappointed by any of his adventures. Is this one my new favorite? Probably not. Is it in my top five? Probably yes. Though I can't imagine many parents would be overjoyed if this one became again-again-again in the summer time.

244. Mel Fell. Corey R. Tabor. 2021. 40 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: One day, when Mama was away, Mel decided it was time to learn to fly. She had been in the nest long enough.

Premise/plot: Mel fell...but will Mel also fly? This one joins Mel in her journey down....and up. It is a coming of age story for young readers about the beginning initial steps of independence.

My thoughts: A fun flip of a book. It is not your traditional reading experience--physically. There's some twisting, turning, manipulating of the pages. But it works well. The format becomes part of the storytelling experience. I don't know that I loved it more than Tabor's Fox books. But I definitely enjoyed it.

245. Who's A Goose? Scott Stuart. 2021/2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: One goose is goose. And two goose is geese! Bill, will you please keep quiet?! I'm trying to teach!

Premise/plot: A concept picture book about collective nouns. 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved the narration. Bill and Bruce just made me smile! I learned a few new-to-me collective nouns as well. For example, I learned about a BAND of gorillas. I definitely recommend this one. The illustrations were perfectly perfect.

246. Pumpkin Day at the Zoo. Susan Meissner. Illustrated by Pablo Pino. 2023. [July] 32 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Morning sun
shines down on the zoo, on giraffes
and camels and kangaroos.
All the animals in all their places,
leaning and looking with eager faces.

Premise/plot: Picture book written in verse. ALL the animals at the zoo enjoy eating pumpkins. That's it. The entire plot. 

My thoughts: I didn't necessarily find the rhythm of the rhymes--the flow of the book--to be all that great. Not bad, of course. Certainly serviceable. I enjoyed the illustrations. The book itself is entertaining enough. Definitely worth checking out from the library in the fall. Definitely worth including in your line-up of zoo-themed or animal-themed picture books.

247. Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred. Deborah Hopkinson. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. 2023. [August] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture Book] [LGBT+ retelling of Cinderella]

First sentence: Once upon a time, there was a small gray mouse who lived in a pumpkin patch. It was a quiet life--until the night a stranger appeared. 

My thoughts, part one: I did not do my 'due diligence' with this one. The book I thought I was getting and actually wanted--a Cinderella retelling from the point of view of one of her mice. I was up for some novelty--the mouse's point of view. I guess I wasn't expecting every other single element to be changed up in this 'fractured' fairy tale. Some retellings remove the romance and make it pure silliness.

Premise/plot: Fred, the mouse, observes Cinderella's so-called magical night. It's nothing like the traditional tale (as you might imagine.) For one thing, Cinderella can't wait to get away from the whole affair. She did not have a magical evening with the Prince--far from it. She can't wait to go back home and get back to work. So the story does not end with a disappointed prince NOT finding Cinderella...it ends with the marriage of Cinderella and a female farmer--both love gardening and pumpkins.

My thoughts, part two: For better or worse, the book does not address her mistreatment by her stepmother or stepsisters. Not a word--that I could find. In this retelling is Cinderella not being forced into servitude? Is she not being bullied by her stepfamily? If she is being used 'as a servant,' or mistreated/bullied how is this resolved by the end? Why doesn't this come up? I mean Cinderella is usually all about escaping one's situation--miserable life--whether she escapes with or without the prince, she's usually depicted as having a bad home life since her dad died.

For better or worse, the book doesn't show Cinderella ever wanting to go to the ball in the first place. Are we to believe that the fairy godmother just showed up and forced Cinderella against her will to go? Maybe. Probably. If she doesn't want to go, is it because she's self-aware that she has no interest in the Prince OR any guy? But again, we're not told that she doesn't want to go. She doesn't seem cranky until after meeting the Prince and spending time with him. He seems infatuated with her, but it is not mutual. 

Are we to assume that when she meets this lady farmer at the fair it is love at first sight? Probably. Apparently. I wasn't surprised that this classic fairy tale has to have a shift of some type--can't send the message that women need men to rescue them, or, that instant love exists. But apparently it's not bad to have insta love if it's same-sex? I don't know. 

This lesbian retelling of Cinderella--we don't learn about Cinderella's romantic interest until the second to last page--wasn't my cup of tea personally. I just think there is not much characterization or depth.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

240-242. Miscellaneous Parade

240. The Horseback Librarians. Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu. 2023. [April] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book] [Fiction based on true story] 

First sentence: The sun is barely poking its head over the horizon. A young woman on a tan horse called Sand, saddlebags packed full of surprises, has already begun her rounds. She is delivering books to readers in the backwoods of Kentucky.

Premise/plot: Anna Mary (rhymes with library) delivers books in the Appalachian mountains during the Great Depression. The book follows her journey over the course of several days. She makes one or two stops per day in this book. Her last stop is a schoolhouse. 

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I didn't quite. Readers are reminded a million times--okay probably six times--that Anna Mary rhymes with library. She brings books to individual families; she's more than someone who delivers books: she's a family friend. She chats, visits, reads aloud, shares meals, etc. She also seems to bring books to a schoolhouse. The book keeps things very simple and not all that detailed. It might be serviceable as an introduction, but it won't satisfy those who actually want to know more about this program. Not much context is given in the actual story though there is an author's note.

The illustrations are very bright and colorful.

241. Fox in Winter. Corery R. Tabor. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Early reader]

First sentence:  Fox does not like winter. In winter, Elephant and the Birds go south. 

Premise/plot: Fox does not like being all alone in the winter. He misses his friends. Can he scheme a way to bring them back? Can he fight winter and win? Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps he can find something to like about winter....if he looks hard enough.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one so much. It was such a fun read. The illustrations were hilarious (in my opinion). I loved the idea of him fighting winter.

242. Feeding the Ducks with Lily and Milo. Pauline Oud. 2023. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book/board book]

First sentence: Lily and Milo are going to feed ducks in the park. Before they go outside, they put on their coats. There are two coats: a purple coat with flowers and a little orange coat. Which coat is Lily's? And which one is Milo's?

Premise/plot: Lily and Milo are friends. This is apparently the latest in a long-running series starring these two animals. In this adventure, they will feed the ducks...or will they??? The text is 'interactive.' The text has scripted-in questions for little ones to answer. Of course plenty of other books allow for questions and answers, but this one is more scripted. (I couldn't help hearing the narrative in the voice of the narrator of Peppa Pig).

My thoughts: This is neither a board book or a picture book. The pages aren't a sturdy cardboard (like a board book), but they aren't paper either. They are VERY thick paper. So if your little one has "outgrown" board books yet doesn't seem quite ready for traditional picture books, perhaps this is perfect for you.

Readers do need to pay careful attention to the illustrations. I needed to read this one twice because I was lazy the first time around. Apparently. Parents can either let readers be completely surprised by the twist ending and then come back to hunt for clues, or, they can build in questions of their own the first time through. Do you see what I see? What is Milo doing? Should he be doing that? 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

235-239. Five Fox Books on Parade

235. Fox and the Jumping Contest. Corey R. Tabor. 2016. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence:  The jumping contest was only a few days away, and Fox was determined to win first prize. He would put the trophy right there, just above the fireplace. 

Premise/plot: Fox is a schemer. He is scheming how to "win" the jumping contest. The scheme, of course, involves cheating. The cover clearly shows *how* he plans to cheat. How will his friends respond to his schemes?

My thoughts: I believe this is the first book starring Fox. It wasn't my first to read, however, but it was the first published. Having gotten to know this character--and the characters of his many friends--I can say I enjoyed this one. I'm not sure how I would have felt without some attachment already to Fox (and friends).

 236. Fox and the Bike Ride. Corey R. Tabor. 2017. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: It was the morning of the bike ride--the Annual Tour de Tip-Top, Slow-and-Steady,There-and-Back bike ride (plus snacks). The other animals were very excited. Fox was not. 

Premise/plot: Fox is a schemer. This time he is scheming how to add ACTION and action-adventure and danger-action-adventure, etc., to the annual bike ride. His friends may like things boring, regular, or traditional. But Fox wants more. Can he get all the action he craves? Will his friends actually like it?

My thoughts: Fox is sneaky. I enjoyed this one. It is packed with silliness and action. I can imagine this would make a hilarious read aloud if you've got some performer in you. I definitely enjoyed this one more than Fox and the Jumping Contest.

237. Fox is Late (I Can Read) Corey R. Tabor. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader]

First sentence: Fox is late. Fox is late for lunch.

Premise/plot: Fox is late for lunch....but with a little help from a skateboard...Fox might make up his time after all. 

My thoughts: This one has a LOT of repetition which can be very fun. Go, Fox, Go! It was silly and playful. I loved seeing the expressions on all of the faces. His friends are certainly puzzled and possibly irritated by his latest antics. 

238. Fox the Tiger. Corey R. Tabor. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader]

First sentence: "I wish I were a tiger," says Fox. "Tigers are big. Tigers are fast. Tigers are sneaky. Tigers are the best." Fox has an idea.

Premise/plot: Fox the Tiger won the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for 2019. In this I Can Read early reader, Fox has an IDEA that becomes contagious. He wants to be a tiger...so he paints on some stripes. He then goes out to face the world as a tiger...or does he? Will his paint fool anyone?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It was FUN. I am glad that Fox's idea is so contagious. I loved seeing what would happen next. (For example, the turtle decides to become a RACE CAR and paints the number 4 on his shell.) I loved the text and story. I loved the illustrations. I loved the humor--and the heart.  

239. Fox at Night. Corey R. Tabor. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader]

First sentence: It is night, and Fox is scared. "The night is full of monsters," says Fox. Fox looks for monsters.

Premise/plot: Will Fox find monsters when he looks for them? Or will he find new friends?

My thoughts: This one does not feature the usual cast of characters in the Fox books. (Likely they are all asleep.) It was cute and fun. I enjoyed the funny twist ending.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

233-234. Picture Book Parade

233. The Scariest Kitten in the World by Terrifying Kitten with help from Kate Messner. Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley. 2023. (August) 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: WARNING THIS IS A VERY SCARY STORY. IT'S SO CREEPY AND SPINE-TINGLING THAT IT WILL SCARE YOU RIGHT OUT OF YOUR SNEAKERS.

Premise/plot: A "scary" kitten, perhaps the "scariest" kitten "in the world" is narrating this one and speaking directly to you, the reader. It is written in second person. It is a suspenseful or "suspenseful" story starring a kitty and her friends. 

My thoughts: I liked it well enough. It isn't quite The Monster at the End of the Book. But it is fun, silly, playful. And it has a cat...the illustrations are adorable as well.

234. It's Fall! Renee Kurilla. 2023. [August] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Colors bursting, shadows tall.
There's lots to celebrate--it's fall!
Early-morning sunny skies.
Back to school with new supplies.
In class, our teacher asks to hear
what things we love this time of year.

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates all things fall/autumn. (Think activities in September, October, and November.) It does feel like it is segmented into three distinct categories: the start of school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. It is written in rhyming verse.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the illustrations. The color palette is as awesome as you'd expect. I adored the end pages. The illustrations just won my heart. The text is solid. I liked the rhyming. It does seem to have rhythm--not all rhyme does. So it is 'proper' enough in that aspect.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

232. Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down

Virginia Wouldn't Slow Down: The Unstoppable Dr. Apgar and Her Life-Saving Invention. Carrie A. Pearson. Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. 2023. [August] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  Did you know that you took your first test just one minute after you were born? The test showed doctors and nurses how healthy you were, if you could breathe on your own, or if you needed help--fast!

Premise/plot: This is a nonfiction picture book biography of Dr. Virginia Apgar. Perhaps the test named after her, the Apgar test, is more well known than her personal story...

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one so much. I love picture book biographies--usually. I love, love, love, love babies. I loved the illustrations. The story was engaging.

I had heard of the Apgar test. But I didn't know the full story. Now I have a better grasp of that story.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers