67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

First sentence: Hello! We are the Rhyming Dust Bunnies! Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob! We rhyme all the time! Well, actually I don't rhyme. This is a fan! What rhymes with fan? Tan. Can. Oh no.

Premise/plot: This is the THIRD book in the Rhyming Dust Bunnies series by Jan Thomas. It has been FOREVER since she last released a book in the series. But the good news is a whole new generation of little ones are ready to be introduced to the awesome Jan Thomas. In this one, the rhyming dust bunnies are in danger....or are they????? Bob is definitely trying to tell them SOMETHING. If only they would stop rhyming long enough to listen.

My thoughts: I will always love Jan Thomas' picture books because I've read them so many times. They make great read alouds. You can really put a lot of enthusiasm and silliness into them. This one was fun and nostalgic.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]

First sentence: We are ears. So are we. Don't forget us! We are ears too!

Premise/plot: Ears of corn keep inserting themselves into this early reader about ears.

My thoughts: I have loved some of Jonathan Fenske's books in the past. He's written picture books and beginning readers. Some are all the awesome and hilarious. Others are just okay. I don't think I was in the mood this time around for reading his newest early reader. It wasn't bad, I just didn't find it funny or amusing. BUT other readers might. I might even find it amusing if I reread it in a few months or years or whenever.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]

First sentence: Shy was the smallest and quietest pup at the shelter. She seldom made a sound. Not at suppertime. Not at walk time. Not even at playtime.

Premise/plot: Shy finds her forever home. BUT her new human is a musician who loves to play the piano. Shy loves, loves, loves this. She loves it because she can join in with her own song to match his (her human) own. But when it comes time for him to perform on stage, will Shy join him? Does he want her to?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It's a sweet story lightly inspired by a dog in Julie Andrews life that liked to sing along. Definitely enjoyable if you like music OR dogs OR both.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

64. WhoHQ: The Beatles. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Fanny Liem. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, j nonfiction, j biography, music appreciation]

First sentence: Four young musicians with "mop top" hair stood onstage in black suits.

Premise/plot: This one is a Who HQ biography book for young children. It is a biography of The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. It mainly focuses on their career as THE Beatles with only a little bit of what came before and after. (Which is fair). It also gives a little bit of context about the 1960s in general.

My thoughts: There was a time when I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved the Beatles and read anything and everything I could on the Beatles. This one didn't teach me anything new, however, I didn't expect it to. This one is for young readers not adults who have read half a dozen or so books on the Beatles and watched the Beatles Anthology and other documentaries multiple times. It is a good introduction to the group. I'm not sure if this is a book young readers would pick up on their own. It might be one they'd choose if there was an assignment maybe? It would be fascinating to hear from school librarians (and children's librarians in the public library) to see if this one is being checked out by kids and how frequently.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers

63. Orris and Timble Star Stories. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2026. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]

First sentence: The rat had made himself a nest from the pages of discarded books. Arranged around the nest were his treasures: a foil-wrapped Top-Notch Butterscotch candy, a velvet slipper, a yellow marble, and an Imperial sardine can with a picture of a fish king on its label.

Premise/plot: This is the third book in the Orris and Timble series. In this one the owl (Timble) tries to convince his friend the rat (Orris) to ride on his back and fly with him. Orris is RIGHTFULLY hesitant. But Timble is persistent (dare I say manipulative). Will Orris be persuaded to try something new because his friend pressures him????

My thoughts: I'm an overthinker. I had issues with this one. I am going to guess that most readers won't. I do like the other books in the series well enough. I just think that Orris has all the reasons in the world to want to stay on the ground. It isn't a matter of trusting his one specific friend. It's a matter of ANYTHING could happen and gravity exists. Also it isn't as if Timble can guarantee his safety. I find it problematic that Timble acts in such a way that it is a MORAL failing if Orris doesn't do what he wants. That if you don't do this it means you don't trust me. That if you REALLY were my friend you'd do this risky dangerous thing. I suppose the message of the book is supposed to be: it's awesome to do new things. But I still don't like how it's done.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Young Readers