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 ...
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"Young Readers" - 5 new articles

  1. 47. Cookie Queen
  2. 46. Bears are Best
  3. 45. The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop
  4. 44. Henry and the Something New
  5. 43. The Great Puptective
  6. More Recent Articles

47. Cookie Queen


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 of Kathleen King the founder of Tate's Bake Shop. This picture book celebrates baking--specifically chocolate chip cookies--hard work and entrepreneurship. It is the story of how she kept working and working and working to improve her recipe until it was perfectly perfect and that consistently. She sold many, many, many cookies along the way. 

My thoughts: Who doesn't enjoy reading about cookies? This one could pair with many other books about cookies. I do see this one as being for younger elementary grades. It would be so tempting to pair this one with a snack.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

   

46. Bears are Best


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 revealed through conversation. The conversation isn't dry and info-dumpy. Not really. There's plenty to keep it light and flowing--a bit silly.

I liked this one. It does have more text than you might expect based on the cover. I do think this one could easily be mistaken for just another picture book starring bears. It doesn't scream out "I'm nonfiction!" Because it is so text-heavy, I do think it would be a good fit for most elementary grades--especially second and third grade.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

   

45. The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop


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 features the Very Hungry Caterpillar doing what he does best--eating through yummy food. He isn't introducing us to colors, shapes, numbers, or holidays. He's just being hungry at a bakeshop. Is it as good as the original? No. He doesn't eat through leaving caterpillar shaped holes, but the book does feature shape cut-outs on each spread in the shape of the baked goods. I did like the "raised pieces." 

I liked this one more than I thought I would.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

   

44. Henry and the Something New


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. Should he go? Should he stay? It might be awesome. It might be too overwhelming. Henry does decide to go...but will his non-regular day turn out to be amazing?

My thoughts: I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Henry. I love the writing and characterization. So few words yet so relatable. I definitely recommend all the books. I hope there are many, many more in the future. The world needs more Henry. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

   

43. The Great Puptective


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 just have enough of Poppy one of these days....

My thoughts: I really LOVED the characters Poppy and Truffles. The book is silly, cute, fun. I loved how the story unfolded throughout the book. Definitely reminded me of old school Garfield and Friends episodes in the best way possible. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

   

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