29. You Are Not a Cat

You Are Not a Cat. Sharon G. Flake. 2016/2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am a cat. Meow. You are not a cat. You are a duck. Quack, quack.

Premise/plot: A cat and a duck quibble and fuss. Duck is definitely getting on Cat's last nerve. Duck insists that *today* he is a cat. Yesterday Duck was something else. Tomorrow Duck may be something else. But Duck is a cat...today...and insists on following Cat around.

My thoughts: Cat definitely had decided opinions on what is "regular." Cats meow. Ducks quack. End of story. Cats cannot be ducks. Ducks cannot be cats. And Cat doesn't have time for nonsense. Perhaps if Duck wasn't so insistent at being glued to his side. If Duck had gone away, far, far, away then would Cat have cared if this Duck wanted to meow? Maybe. Maybe not.

 I liked this one okay. It was silly. It had humor. It's an early reader with speech bubbles.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. Barnacle is Bored

Barnacle is Bored. Jonathan Fenske. 2016. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am bored. Bored. Bored. BORED. Every day is the same. The tide comes IN. I am wet and cold. The tide goes OUT. I am dry and hot. 

Premise/plot: Barnacle is BORED. Barnacle is full of complaints. Nothing suits. Until...Barnacle realizes something important about life...

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I may not have loved, loved, loved it. But I solidly liked it. It is an ocean-themed book about attitude and perspective, about gratitude. Barnacle is not grateful...at all. But by the end of the story, something has changed...for the better.

The first time I read this one, I wasn't overly impressed with the illustrations. They didn't do much for me. Dare I say they bored me?! But after the second or third time around I had come to appreciate them. I found the illustrations could be quite expressive. I love the grinning look of relief on Barnacle when he's NOT eaten.

I appreciate the fact that this is a book that allows for a lot of expression in the reading. I think it's a great choice to share with little ones. They may just ask for it again and again and again and again.

ETA: Barnacle is Bored is one of my FAVORITE books to read aloud. I think it allows for great expression. I adore this one. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

27. Today is For You!

Today is For You! Sally Lloyd-Jones. Illustrated by Kevin Waldron. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Shout out, Good Morning! Shout out, Hooray! Shout it together....Hooray for Today! Jump up and smile and take a bow. When is Today? Exactly now.

Premise/plot: Looking for a picture book with enthusiasm and gusto? This is an inspirational/motivational picture book for young readers. It isn't quite Oh the Places You'll Go, but it is certainly in that tradition. The book celebrates living life in every moment. It is written in rhyme and reads like a poem. The narrative voice, like I mentioned earlier, is VERY peppy and excitable. 

My thoughts: I like this colorful poem well enough. I do. I think it can be appreciated by a wide range of ages. Not everyone appreciates these kinds of books. And that's okay. Each "stanza" has a message. For example, "And be who you are. And be that the most." (To be fair, these are the last two lines of a longer stanza.) 

The art is intriguing. The text is integral in the book's design and layout. It wasn't always super easy to read the text. But that is probably a personal preference. (Purple text on purple background, for example). I definitely appreciated some spreads more than others. Some were absolutely BEAUTIFUL and so amazing. I loved the color palettes for some of these. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

26. My Thoughts Have Wings

My Thoughts Have Wings. Maggie Smith. Illustrated by Leanne Hatch. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: Sometimes when I go to bed, my body is calm and still, but my mind feels busy and loud! When my mom turns off the lights, my thoughts stay on...especially the not-so-good ones. Those thoughts flutter and flap in my head.

Premise/plot: The little girl in this picture book struggles with anxiety. Her mom teaches her how to allow happy thoughts to build a nest in her mind. 

My thoughts: This one deals specifically with anxiety when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep. The book shows her worrisome thoughts and her happy thoughts. The book is sweet and gentle. The imagery is lovely.

There's more than one way to approach this topic/theme. I do not expect secular picture books to approach it the same way a Christian book published by a Christian publisher would. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. Cranky

Cranky. Phuc Tran. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I'm cranky. And this morning I'm also feeling cranky because...well, I'd rather not tell you. It's personal.

Premise/plot: Cranky is cranky. Cranky stays cranky. Cranky does not want to talk about it. Not with his friends. Not with readers. Will Cranky be a little less cranky by the end of the day [aka end of the book]? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Sometimes crankiness lingers and you have to sleep it off.

My thoughts: Not sure exactly what the point of this one was other than to show a cranky construction vehicle going through his busy day all the while being cranky. For readers who think crankiness in others is amusing, then this one might appeal. Or for readers who enjoy construction vehicles. It definitely falls into the "emotions and feelings" category--books that are opportunities for learning about emotions, feelings, and how to cope with all the above. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers