I'm Not

I'm Not. Pam Smallcomb. Illustrated by Robert Weinstock. 2011. Random House. 32 pages.

Sometimes I wonder if my friend Evelyn is from Mars. She's not one single bit ordinary. And she's a little mysterious. I'm not.

I really enjoyed this picture book about friendship. Our shy narrator feels less than--in many ways. Her friend Evelyn has personality, has style; there's just something about her that demands notice and attention. Smallcomb illustrates this well in her text, "If Evelyn was a car, she would get a speeding ticket" and "If Evelyn was a book, you'd read her all night under the covers to see what happened next." But just because our narrator is different from her very best friend, doesn't mean she's not special. For our narrator--as Evelyn points out--is very, very good at being just what Evelyn needs, a really good best friend.

It's a good story, a sweet story, a playful, spirited story. 

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

For the Love Of Music

For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart. Elizabeth Rusch. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. 2011. February 2011. Random House. 32 pages.


When Maria Anna Mozart was a child, her life thrummed with music. Court musicians trumpeted French horns, choruses tra-la-la'ed, and countless fingers skittered up and down scales. 
"Oh father," Maria pleaded, "please teach me to play!"
And so he did.

I'm not quite sure what I liked more--the text or the illustrations. Truth is, both are wonderful! I have been a big, big fan of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher for years! But there was something just right about the narrative of this one. I found it quite poetical, quite creative, very rich in description.

It's a picture book biography of Maria Anna Mozart, the older sister of Wolfgang Mozart. (Did you know that she was just as musical as her brother? Just as talented and charismatic? I've read novels--one adult, one young adult--on the subject. But I was pleased to see this as a subject of a picture book.)

The biography is presented in a unique way--her life is arranged into sonata movements. And the book definitely illustrates and defines many musical terms. For example, The First Movement: Where musical themes are introduced; Allegro: The fast tempo of the first movement; Development: Where the themes of the first movement are explored; Recapitulation: Where the themes of the first movement are reviewed; Coda: An Ending.

I would definitely recommend this one.

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

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Dazzling Display of Dogs

A Dazzling Display of Dogs. Betsy Franco. Illustrated by Michael Wertz. 2011. Random House. 40 pages.

My Pal, Jazzy
No matter if I'm feeling blue,
My Jazzy thinks I'm great.
She wiggles, jiggles, jumps on me
When I'm through the gate!

A Dazzling Display of Dogs is a collection of themed (dog) concrete poems. Concrete poems are visually exciting to read and share with others. And the illustrations by Michael Wertz match the text quite well. If you're a dog lover, then this collection of poems is for you! A wide variety of dogs are represented within its pages! The style is light and fun. One of my favorites is "Letting Gwen In and Out." Then again, "Misleading Sign" was clever in its simplicity. And then there's "Old Jimbo Claims the Chair." And there's even a great poem for two voices: "Tigger On His Back." Yes, this is an enjoyable collection that I'm happy to recommend!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Song of the Week: Rock A Bye Your Bear

This song makes me ridiculously happy. I just LOVE it!!!



© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Philip C. Stead. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. 2010. Roaring Brook Press. 32 pages.

Amos McGee was an early riser. Every morning when the alarm clock clanged, he swung his legs out of bed and swapped his pajamas for a fresh-pressed uniform. He would wind his watch and set a pot of water to boil--saying to the sugar bowl, "A spoonful for my oatmeal, please, and two for my teacup."
Belly full and ready for the workday, he'd amble out the door.

Amos McGee stars in this understated charmer. He may be slightly predictable, but it's all good. For there's just something likable about him. He works at the zoo and all the animals love him. We meet many of his animal friends in the first half of the picture book. We see Amos McGee's daily routine. But then, readers see Amos on a day when he's not feeling his best. A day when he's not up to ambling out the door to the zoo. How will his absence be felt by those in his life? What will the animals do without him? Amos is so very good at taking care of them, can they return the favor? Can the animals take care of him for a change?! Readers may just be surprised at this playful twist!

As for my impressions of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, well, I liked it. I really liked it. I can't say it's love. Not like I loved Interrupting Chicken. But I did enjoy it. I liked the character of Amos McGee. I liked meeting all the animals. I thought it was fun. I thought it was cute. True, I thought it a little strange. Especially seeing all those animals on the bus! But I liked it all the same. I happened to like the text more than the art. But only slightly.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Young Readers