5. 100 Chapatis

100 Chapatis. Derek Mascarenhas. Illustrated by Shantala Robinson. 2023. [October 17] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "When will the baby come?" Simon asked his pappa. "Your dad will call from the hospital as soon as your mom has the baby," said Pappa. 

Premise/plot: A grandfather and grandson make one hundred chapatis [Indian flat bread] as they await news of the birth of the baby. It is a great way to pass time and super practical since it will be nice to have food on hand after the baby is born. 

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is always nice when picture books celebrate family AND cooking AND culture. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Ploof

Ploof. Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser. 2023. [September] 51 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, not quite board book]

First sentence: This is Ploof. Ploof is feeling lonely. Can you say hello? 

Premise/plot: Ploof is a cloud that your little one can "interact" with as you read the book aloud. How is it interactive? Think Little Einsteins, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Blue's Clues, Team Umizoomi, etc. For example, "What's Ploof pretending to be now? Ah, I see! Good one! Wow! So many shapes! Can you guess them all? Hmmm... Ploof is running out of steam. Let's help puff Ploof back up. Can you blow softly on Ploof?"

My thoughts: I like this gentle read. I love the pastel colors. I like the friendly narrative. Ploof is adorably drawn. Will this one prove an engaging again-again read? I think it has potential for some little ones at least.

I do think this one is for preschoolers (or even younger). I greatly enjoyed it. I'm torn between four stars and five stars. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

3. Homegrown

Homegrown. Deann Wiley. 2024. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Mama says I'm homegrown.

Premise/plot: This picture book explores the many layered meanings of the concept--the word--home. The book celebrates family life, family, love, life, kindness, etc. 

My thoughts: This book closely examines family life, home life, and gives behind-the-scenes glimpses into all things family, all things tradition; it is a celebration of community and culture. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania

Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania (Pizza and Taco #7) Stephen Shaskan. 2024. [January] 72 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel; early reader/chapter book]

First sentence: What's up? Nothing. 

Premise/plot: Pizza and Taco have a dilemma of sorts. Their moms (Pizza's mom and Taco's mom) want the two to join after school sports' clubs. The problem? Well, neither Pizza nor Taco like sports or want to play sports. The two do try out for wrestling, and, to be fair they do TRY their best to get into it. Will these two find the perfect after school activity?

My thoughts: This one is not my favorite or best in the series. (This is the seventh title in the series). Several chapters of this graphic novel focus on sports and wrestling. These may appeal to some readers. I liked the solution however. 

I think my favorite part of this one was learning that a Christmas book is coming at the end of 2024. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Happy Cats

Happy Cats. Catherine Amari and Anouk Han. Illustrated by Emi Lenox. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: white cat
black cat
blue cat
brown cat
high cat
low cat
always upside down cat
fluffed cat
bare cat
round cat
square cat
long cat
short cat
rarely-ever-there cat

Premise/plot: Plenty of cats can be found in Catherine Amri and Anouk Han's Happy Cats. This one is essentially an illustrated poem. The stars of the show are the cats themselves, perhaps. 

My thoughts: I love cats. I do. I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cats. Crazy about cat books as well. Most of the time. This one was so delightful. Not just because it stars cats. Not just because the illustrations are satisfying--they are though. No, I love this one so much because the rhythm and rhyme delight. Rhyme can prove challenging, but, it is so much easier to "get right" than rhythm. Rhyming can be accomplished with practice and effort. Rhythm, however, I think is more of a gift. Some rhyming books just lack all sense of rhythm. Other books just make it look absolutely effortless. Rhythm looks so effortless in this one. It is FUN. The rhythm of the text makes you WANT to read it aloud (even if you're alone). I also think the rhythm will help make this one appeal as an again-again.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers