Serious Goose

Serious Goose. Jimmy Kimmel. 2019. [December] 40 pages. [source: Library]

First sentence: This is a serious goose.

Premise/plot: Jimmy Kimmel introduces readers to a very serious not at all silly goose in his picture book for young readers. He wrote and illustrated the book—this shows because they go together splendidly. I couldn’t imagine one without the other. So the plot is simple, can anybody or anything turn this serious goose into a silly one?! What will it take to make this goose giggle or smile?!

My thoughts: I was always terrible at “Poor, Poor Kitty.” Perhaps even the world’s worst Poor, Poor Kitty player. Probably because I am totally a silly goose. This one is good for a couple of laughs. I definitely enjoyed reading it. I think it would be a good choice for parents to read aloud. I think the page with the mirror is great fun for the intended age group.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total: 10/10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Vegetables in Holiday Underwear

Vegetables in Holiday Underwear. Jared Chapman. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I’ve been waiting all year long...for holiday underwear season!

Premise/plot: The vegetables are back and starring in a new picture book by Jared Chapman. Their first appearance was in his Vegetables in Underwear. It was a gimmicky book designed especially for a certain audience that finds illustrated underwear hilarious. This book obviously is hoping that if regular underwear is hilarious, holiday underwear is more so. But is it?!

My thoughts: Is this book necessary? A thousand times no. But is it fun? I can’t really answer that question objectively. I am not in the target audience, and underwear doesn’t make me laugh. The best scene in this one comes when three baby vegetables stacked together pose as Santa. It turns out baby corn, baby carrot, and baby beet aren’t allowed to join in the holiday fun since they are diapered. But even at the best moments of this one there’s a feeling of so what?!?!

Text:2/5
Illustrations:3/5
Total: 5/10 

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Santa and the Goodnight Train

Santa and the Goodnight Train. June Sobel. Illustrated by Laura Hiliska-Beith. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Santa’s coming! Ho! Ho! Ho! The Goodnight Train is all aglow!

Premise/plot: I believe this is the third book starring the Goodnight Train and its crew. Earlier books in the series include The Goodnight Train and the Goodnight Train Rolls On. In each book, characters travel to Dreamland. This one is set on Christmas Eve.

My thoughts: For little ones that love, love, love the previous books in the series, this one might prove quite the treat. I know that trains can be fascinating for young ones and that some never really outgrow their love of trains. (Others do.) This one is written in rhyme. The illustrations are very Christmasy. Santa does make an appearance.

I can at times overthink picture books, can expect sense when it is clearly nonsense being served. I don’t know why I am having trouble with the nonsense of this fantasy when I have welcomed wholeheartedly the nonsense of In The Night Garden. But my hesitation should not stop enthusiasts from picking this one up to share with their families.

Text: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Total: 6/10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Dasher

Dasher: How A Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever. Matt Tavares. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Life was not easy for the reindeer family of J.P. Finnegan’s Traveling Circus and Menagerie.

Premise/plot: This is the ‘real’ story of Dasher (the doe) and how Santa’s sleigh came to be pulled by reindeer instead of a horse. It seems only fair that she gets an origin story. Why should Rudolph remain the most famous reindeer of all?!?!

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one! It is a bit text heavy. So perhaps this one is best suited to a slightly older young reader. Children who have grown past chewing books and are ready to settle into a story. It is an entertaining story, beautifully written and illustrated. I thought the artwork was gorgeous.

If this were adapted into a special, I would definitely watch it every holiday season.

Text:4/5
Illustrations:5/5
Total:9/10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Mustache Baby Christmas

The Mustache Baby Christmas. Bridget Heos. Illustrated by Joy Ang. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: You know that Baby Billy was born with a mustache. And that Baby Javier was born with a beard. But did you know that on Christmas Eve, Javier’s beard...that made him Santa’s #1 helper, Santa Baby!

Premise/plot: Mustache Baby (Baby Billy) is Back and starring in his fourth picture book. In this holiday adventure, these two friends become Santa’s helpers. Javier becomes Santa Baby and Baby Billy becomes an elf. A toy-making elf. But toys are made to be given away, right?!?! Will Billy want to give away the toys that he has made?! Or will he want to keep them ALL?! Will he be on Santa’s naughty or nice list?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It’s a cute and clever holiday read aloud just about perfect for families. It is definitely full of puns. These puns may get old after the fiftieth time or so, but I definitely think it’s an again again read aloud to bring out season after season.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total: 10/10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers