Poetry Comics. Grant Snider. 2024. 96 pages. [Source: Library] [poetry] First sentence:  I want to put down on paper the feeling of fresh possibilities.  Poems told in comic book format. This is a combination I never knew I needed, but now I do know. I want MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE. Love this combination so much. The book is arranged into the four seasons. It opens with spring.  This one was love at first sight. I enjoyed many of the poems. I did. But I loved the recurring subject. Each of the four seasons contains a poem titled, "How To Write A Poem." (Each one is numbered.)&nb ..read more

Sing High, Sing Crow (The Great Mathemachicken #3) Nancy Krulik. Illustrated by Charlie Alder. 2024. 112 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: Feathers tickle feathers fly But I've got a feather in my eye! Chirpy curled up in a tight little ball. She covered her ears with her wings. But nothing she did blocked out the noise of the crows singing their song up in the tree. Premise/plot: Chirpy (and friends) return in their third adventure. In this one, the chicks are ALL disturbed by the oh-so-noisy crows and their "music." The band isn't made up exclusively of crows. Can the chicks work to ..read more

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate's Bake Shop. Kathleen King (Founder of Tate's Bake Shop) and Lowey Bundy Sichol. Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence:  It was very early in the morning when Kathleen stepped into the kitchen. Kathleen was only eleven, but each morning she made her own breakfast and packed her own lunch for school--and when her parents worked late--she whipped up dinner for her brothers and sister. Kathleen enjoyed cooking, but more than anything, she loved to bake.  Premise/plot: This is a picture book biography o ..read more

Bears are Best: The Scoop About How We Sniff, Sneak, Snack, and Snooze. Joan Holub. Illustrated by Laurie Keller. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: Grrrreetings! My name is Brown Bear. I am the only bear in this book. [You are not].  This is a nonfiction picture book about BEARS (plural). It isn't your typical nonfiction picture book, however. It is written in a conversational--playful--narrative. The [many] bears of the book are having quite the dialogue--all in speech bubbles. All the information about each bear--what makes them similar or dissimilar to the others--is ..read more

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop (Board book) Eric Carle (World of Eric Carle). 2023. [November] 14 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: The Very Hungry Caterpillar is visiting the bakeshop. He spots a perfectly frosted cupcake! Yum! But there are more treats to sample... This board book is set in the World of Eric Carle. It stars one of his most famous characters, the Very Hungry Caterpillar. He has starred in many other books in recent years. Almost to the point of becoming over-commercialized and gimmicky. This one, however, is a bit better than some of the others. It featu ..read more

Henry and the Something New. Jenn Bailey. Illustrated by Mika Song. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [early chapter book; series book] First sentence: Today was Field Trip Day. Henry was excited. Everyone in Classroom Ten would ride the bus to the museum. Henry was also worried. Everyone in Class Ten would ride the bus to the museum. Premise/plot: Do you know Henry? Henry has starred in a picture book and another early chapter book. You can read about Henry in A Friend for Henry and Henry, Like Always. Henry, who is on the autism spectrum, is excited-scared about the class field trip. Shoul ..read more

The Great Puptective. Alina Tysoe. 2024. 128 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: One day, Sasha the human came home with a strange box. I think it's about time that Truffles got a friend. Premise/plot: Early chapter book in "graphic novel" format. (In other words, an illustrated chapter book with plenty of speech bubbles showing the dialogue). Truffles is not thrilled that his new "friend" is an enthusiastic puppy named Poppy. Poppy considers herself an amateur detective always on the case. Cases seem to find her most of the time, even if they aren't really proper cases. Truffles may ju ..read more

40. Board book: Country Baby. Laurie Elmquist. Illustrated by Ellen Rooney. 2024. 20 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: We pull on rubber boots Splash into puddles with both feet Look for speckled eggs The sheep's wool is cozy-cozy My thoughts (preview): I find it incredibly sad that my first and foremost response is to notice all the lack of periods in the text. One period for the whole book.  Premise/plot: Little ones follow the adventures of a country baby (and country mom) in this board book. The text is descriptive yet still simple.  My thoughts: I like this one. It is a ..read more

The Paper Doll Wedding. Hilda Miloche and Wilma Kane. 1954. 20 pages. [Source: Bought] [Vintage Golden Book, Little Golden Activity Book]  First sentence: Are you coming to the wedding to see the bride and groom? Then hurry, do please hurry. It will be this afternoon. Premise/plot: This INTERACTIVE Little Golden Book was published in 1954. At the front of the book, there's a page of paper dolls: the bride, the groom, the bridesmaid, the flower girl, and a cake topper. At the back of the book, there are clothes for the paper doll to wear--if you cut them out. There is also a paper trunk ..read more

Board book: Good Night, Cuddle Tight. Kristi Valiant. 2023. [December] 20 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: When daytime is over and moonlight shines bright, Dad hugs all his bunnies.  Premise/plot: This board book stars a lovely bunny family. The premise is simple: it is BEDTIME but the little bunnies have extra special requests that are putting off said bedtime. It starts with one....but leads to ALL the bunnies wanting a special, unique, just for them kind of bedtime hug/cuddle.  My thoughts: I thought this one was adorable. The illustrations are preciously adorable. Yet ..read more