291. Detective Duck: Case of the Strange Splash

Detective Duck #1: The Case of the Strange Splash. Henry Winkler. Illustrated by Lin Oliver. 2023. [October 17]  80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Willow Feathers was the only duck in the world whose father was a beaver. Most ducks are raised by ducks, just like most snails are raised by snails and most giraffes are raised by giraffes.

Premise/plot: Willow Feathers is VERY curious. She wants to be a detective 'when she grows up.' In this her first case, she's investigating a strange splash--a tire in the pond. Can she figure out what made the splash and the who and why behind the splash? 

My thoughts: I wasn't wowed. I thought it would be more fun than it actually was. That may not be the book's fault. Reading is so subjective and so much depends on reader's expectations. Another thing to consider, obviously, is that I'm not the book's target audience. I didn't find it worse than other mystery series books for this age group. I just didn't find it outstandingly better than the typical mystery.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

285-290 Board books on parade

285. Dragon's First Taco (Board Book) Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. 2023. [September] 16 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hey, little dragon. Do you know what this is? It's called a taco. You are going to love it. Let's make one together.

Premise/plot: A novelty prequel to Dragons Love Tacos. It is a novelty board book because it is taco-shaped (which makes it SO fun to hold and read). In this one, Dragon learns what makes a taco, a taco. It ends with a fundamental truth: One taco is never enough.

My thoughts: I remember reading earlier Dragon picture books years ago yet not recently enough to say I am a fan. I am a BIG, BIG, BIG fan of tacos. I like the taco-shape. It's fun. It's silly. Would I recommend checking it out from the library? Yes. Would I necessarily recommend everyone rush out to buy it? Probably not. Unless your little one REALLY loves the Dragon books OR is a really big fan of tacos. I can imagine that little ones probably would like holding this one, perhaps chewing on it.

286. I'll Be A Chicken Too (Board book) Lana Vanderlee. Illustrated by Mike Deas. 2023. [May] 22 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: If you're a baby chicken,
then I'll be a chicken too.
And if you're a little rooster,
then I'll cock-a-doodle-doo!
If you can bark and wag your tail,
well, then I'll be a dog.
And if you live on lily pads,
of course I'll be a frog.

Premise/plot: Written in rhyme, this one celebrates unconditional love and families. There are so many books about a parent loving a child. Sometimes they star animals. Sometimes they star humans. Some are in rhyme, some aren't. This one is fairly typical. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Yes, it has been done thousands of times. But most are enjoyable enough. This one is cute and fun. Will it stay in print? Only time will tell. This one would make a sweet read aloud with little ones.

287. Fifteen Animals (Board book). Sandra Boynton. 2002/2008/2014. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I really like animals. I like them a lot. Fifteen animals is what I've got. I've got fifteen animals. They're friendly and tame and I've given each one a special name--

Premise/plot: This counting, animal-themed book features a twist. A twist that is revealed as the protagonist reveals the names of his fifteen animals....I won't be spoiling here.

My thoughts: This one was over-the-top-silly. I liked it. Probably more than most of Sandra Boynton's other board books. I don't always love them. (Though I know they are supposedly always awesome.) 

288. Snow (Board book) Leslie Patricelli. 2023. [September] 26 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It's snowing! Everything is white. We get dressed. Suits so tight.

Premise/plot: Leslie Patricelli has written so many board books starring the same ADORABLE little baby. In this one, Baby has a play date. Baby and friend will play, play, play in the snow before heading inside.

My thoughts: I typically have loved some of the 'Baby' board books. I didn't love this one. I overthought this one way too much. For example, why is Baby just wearing a diaper in the house when it is winter? Why is the baby bathing with a friend? Do friends really hang around undressed and take baths together? Maybe. Maybe not. I could be overthinking.

289. Leo at the Park (Board book) Anna McQuinn. 2023. [June] 18 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Phew! The sun is hot, hot, hot! Leo and Mommy are going to the park. Yay! Wave, Leo! Yu is here in the shade. 

Premise/plot: Leo and Yu are having a play date at the park. 

My thoughts: This one is set in the summer (presumably). Leo and his friend have a good time playing at the park. The text is simple. The illustrations are joyful and bright.

290. Snow, Snow, Snow. (Board book) Sandra Boynton. 2023. [September] 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Oh, there is snow, snow, snow. It's coming down, down, down, and it is fall, fall, falling all around, round, round. And you can tell, tell, tell what's on it's way--ee--yay. Yes! it will soon, soon, soon be Christmas Day!

Premise/plot: All the friends have gathered together to sing, sing, sing and welcome in the holiday season.

My thoughts: Don't give me a song without giving me a tune. Yes, this is me overthinking things. Yes, I think about how I would read this aloud. I don't want to 'perform' a song unprepared.  

ETA: I read the VERY SMALL PRINT and there is a SONG on YouTube. The song is delightful when you hear the tune. I just think it should be more obvious that you have to go to YouTube to enjoy this board book. Turns out it is DOO-WOP.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

284. All We Need Is Love and a Really Soft Pillow

All We Need Is Love and a Really Soft Pillow! Peter H. Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds. 2023. [October 3] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence:  Poppy, need anything? Little One, I've got you! We've got LOVE! Love is all we need! Yes, Love and a really soft pillow.

Premise/plot: Poppy and Little One star in the newest book by Reynolds and his son. Is it timeless? Perhaps. Probably. In this one, the two elaborate on all they really need in life....and life does throw some curve balls their direction.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is hard to separate the text from the illustrations. I didn't personally love, love, love the illustrations. I didn't. They were meh to me--again this is all subjective. The text worked for me. I thought it was a good story. I enjoyed the characters. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

283. Critter Cam: Puppy Cam

Puppy Cam. Margie Palatini. Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. 2023. [August] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Early Reader]

First sentence: Ball? Get the ball! Get the ball! Get the ball!

Premise/plot: The dog in this one is wearing a camera on his helmet. This camera will provide readers with a unique point of view. This is very much a day-in-the-life of perspective of a fun-loving pup. Fortunately this is a forward-facing camera.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I don't know that I loved it as much as the Critter Cam early reader starring the cat. But it was good fun. I think young dog lovers will appreciate this one. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

282. Dory Fantasmagory: Can't Live Without You (#6)

Dory Fantasmagory #6: Can't Live Without You. Abby Hanlon. 2023. [September] 160 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: My name is Dory but everyone calls me Rainbow. "Nobody calls you Rainbow," says my big brother, Luke. "Remember?" I whisper. "I'm a teenager named Rainbow." "It's hard to remember you're a teenager when you have syrup all over your face," says my big sister, Violet. I feel my face. It is very sticky.

Premise/plot: Dory returns for her sixth adventure. In this one she becomes extremely clingy to her mother. Not that that keeps her from imagining her best life ever. OR from making great friends with the new babysitter. This one, like previous titles, features MANY adventures and misadventures--a blending of real and imaginary play. This one continues on the stories of her imaginary friends and enemies. 

My thoughts: This one was so funny. It has been a while since I read one of these books. I loved the writing/narrative voice. For example, we learn that Saturday is NIGHTGOWN day and naturally Dory doesn't want to leave the house to go to Creative Dance. I also love the line where Dory offers both the pennies and the PIG to her mother in an effort to persuade her to keep on being a stay at home mom. 

 I do wish my library had the fifth book. I've read the first four and the sixth.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers