53. The Best Bear in All the World

53. The Best Bear in All the World. Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Jeanne Willis, Kate Saunders. 2016. 115 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, audio book, Winnie the Pooh sequel]

First sentence: "Ninety?" said Winnie the Pooh. "Is that more than seven?" "Yes, Pooh," said Kanga patiently. "You're ninety years old, which calls for a celebration."

Premise/plot: Four new stories starring Winnie the Pooh and all his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. There is a story set in Autumn (in which Pooh and Piglet prepare to meet a Dragon). There is a story set in Winter (in which Penguin arrives in the forest). There is a story set in spring (in which Eeyore suspects another donkey is after his thistles). There is a story set in summer (in which Pooh dreams of the Sauce of the Nile).

My thoughts: I have wanted to READ this one for years. But the library didn't have it in print. I saw it on audio book and thought I'd give it a try. I didn't like it much on audio. BUT I realize that could be the narrator being a disappointment in doing ALL the characters in unique voices. I realize that no one can DO the character voices like Disney does. I wasn't expecting it to be amazing. But I wanted it to be better than it was. I also think that the book would have been more enjoyable, perhaps, if it had had ONE author instead of four. The stories are just decent. These aren't "new" stories or "original" stories so much as slightly changing and adapting a few stories and having them happen again slightly differently.

Perhaps audio wasn't the best way to experience this book since I missed out on the illustrations. AND it's certainly possible that reading the book in print with the more proper voices in my head narrating might have led me to like it better.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

86. Pocket Bear

86. Pocket Bear. Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charles Santoso. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars, J fiction, J fantasy, animal fantasy, toy fantasy]

First sentence: The sign posted outside my lair read: OUR CAT IS A BURGLAR. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES. Its very existence vexed like a tick in my tail. "OUR" implied ownership. But a feline can never be owned. Admired from afar, perhaps. Never owned. "CAT" brought to mind a spoiled, mewling ball of fluff. But I am not a mere cat. I am a tiger trapped in a kitty costume. I am pure stealth and sinew and swagger. I've lived nine lives and dozens more. And as for "BURGLAR"? Burglars merely burgled. I redistribute. I recycle. I rescue. I am the Robin Hood of felines, a force for good. I am Zephyrina, honorable thief.

Premise/plot: Zephyrina, our narrator, is a cat who 'rescues' unwanted toys and brings them to a new home to be given second chances. Pocket Bear, the oldest resident, is a bear who has SEEN and HEARD just about everything--he has been around since the first world war. The other toys come and go--as new chances bring new homes, new owners, and new opportunities for toys. But Pocket Bear and Zephyrina have a good thing going, right, a forever thing. She brings the toys and Pocket Bear leads them all.

The book opens with Zephyrina's newest discovery: Berwon. Berwon may just be as old as Pocket Bear. This extremely super special rare bear may just be the salvation for the owners of the shop--Elizaveta and Dasha. But at what cost? Every toy deserves a happy ending, right?! 

My thoughts: Katherine Applegate's newest book is a fantasy novel for young readers. Toys and animals are brought to life. I loved, loved, loved the narration of Zephyrina. I loved the stories of Berwon and Pocket Bear. It had plenty of adventure! There were villains and heroes. It was a satisfying, compelling read!

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

175. The Puppets of Spelhorst

The Puppets of Spelhorst. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Julie Morstad. 2023. [October 10] 160 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: There was once an old sea captain who lived in a small room above a tailor shop. The captain's name was Spelhorst, and he had no wife, no children, no family. He was alone in the world and took his meals at a cafe down the street from the tailor shop. There, the old man would sit at a table and stare past everything and everyone as if he were on the prow of a ship, looking out to sea.

Premise/plot: The Puppets of Spelhorst is an unusual, odd novel for children. [Is it really for children? Or is it for adults who love children's books???] It stars old puppets--a king, a wolf, a boy, a girl, and an owl. These puppets are mostly forgotten and 'unwanted.' An old sea captain buys them all--though he only wants the girl puppet with the violet eyes. The toy shop owner is insistent that the puppets have a great story to tell and must remain together. The captain dies that very night, and the puppets fate remains unknown....and they know it. Eventually the trunk of puppets finds its way into a new home--with children--and one of the girls is desperate to write and perform a play for all the puppets. The sister is less sure. Many misadventures occur that threaten this 'great story' from being performed. But all obstacles eventually are overcome...but is this great play the beginning or end???

My thoughts: This one is decidedly odd or eccentric. I think it is theme-driven perhaps. And since it takes a special kind of child reader to discern wisely what themes are [in the first place] and what the main theme of this one is, I don't know that children will "get" this one. Will adults get it? Probably they have a better chance of putting in the effort to decode the deeper themes and meanings. On the surface, sure, it clearly is celebrating words and stories. But I think it goes beyond that. Yet, for me, it didn't quite work. The characters were eccentric but not deeply or richly fleshed out. The plot seemed intentionally and purposefully random. Misadventures are a good word perhaps. I never settled into the text and felt WOW this is home. Perhaps readers are never meant to. The characters are self-aware to know that they may never fulfill their great destinies and their stories may never be realized or told. One character does have great hope. And perhaps that too plays into the greater theme of this one? 

It isn't action-packed enough to be a classic adventure or quest story. I couldn't personally decipher it as a fable.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

134. Dressing Barbie

Dressing Barbie: A Celebration Of the Clothes That Made America's Favorite Doll and the Incredible Woman Behind Them. Carol Spencer. 2019. 160 pages. [Source: Library] [adult nonfiction; history; fashion design; toys; adult collectors]

First sentence:  Barbie quite simply changed my life.

Premise/plot: Carol  Spencer shares her experiences as a fashion designer for Barbie at Mattel. She worked as a designer for Mattel from 1963 through the 1990s. Four decades designing fashion and fashion accessories for Barbie (and friends). The book is packed with back stories and photographs. It is organized by decade. When she started at Mattel, there were four women working as fashion designers. I'm not sure how many more were added to that team through the decades. But she definitely played an important role in styling Barbie. This one provides context for Barbie's style. She gives behind-the-scenes look in various inspirations for various looks. 

MY thoughts: I absolutely loved this one!!!! I enjoyed reading about each of the decades. I don't know that I have a favorite, favorite section. I loved finding out more behind-the-scenes glimpses of memorable and iconic dolls. Like the creation for Totally Hair Barbie, for example. She was responsible for the first MY FIRST BARBIE doll and the subsequent My First Barbie line. One of my the funniest stories is how she shares WHY there were three different fashions with gold and white stripes--a bathing suit and headdress, a holiday dress, and another shorter dress. They accidentally ordered 2,500 yards instead of 250 yards! 

I read this one in one sitting. It was an awesome read. Perhaps not for every single reader. But for those that do love BARBIE or those that love fashion design or history. 

I think this one works as a book that you read cover-to-cover. OR as a reference book that you skim. The photographs are awesome. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

135. Hitty: Her First Hundred Years

Hitty: Her First Hundred Years. Rachel Field. Illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop. 1929. 256 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The antique shop is very still now. Theobold and I have it all to ourselves, for the cuckoo clock was sold day before yesterday and Theobold has been so industrious of late there are no more mice to venture out from behind the woodwork. Theobold is the shop cat--the only thing in it is that is not for sale, which has made him rather overbearing at times. Not that I wish to be critical of him. We all have our little infirmaties and if it had not been for his I might not now be writing my memoirs. Still, infirmities are one thing, and claws are another, as I have reason to know.

Premise/plot: Hitty, Her First Hundred Years won the Newbery award in 1930. Who is Hitty? Hitty is a doll. A wooden doll made from the ever-lucky mountain-ash wood. Her story begins when an Old Peddler--old peddlers are so rarely named in books--takes refuge with a family in Maine. Mrs. Preble is awaiting the return of her husband--who is a whaler--and she has the children to care for. One of her children is a young girl named Phoebe. (The other is a boy named Andy.) The Peddler takes refuge in the storm, but ends up staying quite a while with the family. At some point during his visit, he carves this doll--soon named Mehitabel--for the little girl. Phoebe's told she must sew clothes for the doll before she can be played with--and one of the items Phoebe makes is an undergarment--a chemise--with "Hitty" cross-stitched on it.

Hitty's (mis)adventures span the globe and span generations. Sometimes her change of locale is purposeful--when the Preble family takes her on a ship's voyage to the South Seas--and other times it is quite accidental--when Phoebe drops the doll in India and she is "discovered" by a wandering snake charmer. She has many different owners; she has many different adventures. Throughout it all, she tries to hold on to as much grace and dignity as she can. Which isn't always easy. (Like when she's made an idol in the South Seas.)

My thoughts: Hitty--the doll--is a plaything for children, yet, her various owners through the decades are only rarely children who play with her [and love her as a toy]. Many adults own Hitty. A seamstress sees Hitty as an opportunity to experiment with fashion design and fabrics. Another sees a pincushion. Some see an antique to be displayed and valued. Hitty's purpose changes and fluctuates. 

Much the same, Hitty--the book--may have started out its life as a children's book--a winner of the Newbery, no doubt--yet I venture forth a guess that most often her readers in the past few decades--at least--are adults. And perhaps that is for the best. There is without a doubt much value (or potential value) in vintage antiques. But sometimes antiques lose their suitability for children. Or perhaps the better word may just as well be appeal. I think it's a bit of both with the case of Hitty. 

Not all of Hitty is out of sorts or out of fashion. Plenty remains to charm. But there are definitely episodes--or chapters, or parts of chapters--that just are jarring to modern readers. A little cringe here or there. Injuns, savages, Hindoos...these are just a few of the things that might read a bit off. [One of Hitty's owners has a best friend who is a German immigrant, the German speaks very broken English.] 

As I said, Hitty isn't perfectly-perfect for modern readers. But it isn't without charm. Hitty is a wooden doll who sees, hears, thinks, feels, and sometimes even moves. She observes over a century--give or take a few years--of what we would call history. Imagine how much the world would change from 1829 to 1929! Hitty has "lived" life--the good, the bad, the really ugly. [A low point might be her YEARS buried in a horse-hair sofa.] Her misadventures/adventures have taken a lot out of her physically. Just like some might pass her by as an "ugly" doll, some readers might take a pass on Hitty. But I think she'll find friends here and there that do appreciate her for what she is.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Story of Live Dolls

The Story of Live Dolls. Josephine Scribner Gates. Illustrated by Mabel Rogers. 1901. 1920. 116 pages. [Source: Read online]

First sentence:  "Look, what's coming!" and with a shout of delight the children of Cloverdale village left their play and rushed into the street.

Premise/plot: Janie is super-excited one June day when she witnesses a spectacular site. The Queen of Dolls rides through town in a carriage pulled by kittens. She's tossing bills as she goes, bills that proclaim that on June 4th--the very next day--ALL the dolls in the town will come alive, and stay alive, for the whole month of June.

Janie rushes to tell her mother. (As I'm sure all the other little girls do). She spends the rest of the day preparing for the big day. But she's not as considerate as she might have been. Poor Dinah! Still, she makes an effort to be a good steward.

Most of the book is about that magical month of June. It isn't all fun and games. There are a few lessons not so subtly tucked away into the text. For example, the Queen of Dolls finds it necessary to have a doll ambulance visit each girls' home to carry off dolls that need a trip to the doll hospital. It's sadly too late for one doll in particular. A doll that was drowned by her owner.

The book reflects an honest enough look at how dolls are treated. Early on in the novel, it's revealed that some of Janie's dolls are--dare I say it, STARK NAKED. She's not the only doll owner about to be judged and found wanting. Still, better to be a naked doll than to have a cracked head, a missing limb, or be DEAD.

Here's the scene where Janie's baby doll, Dollie, comes to life:

"O you dear little mamma, I am so glad you are awake. I want to come into your bed," and up she popped and climbed in under the covers and snuggled up exactly as Janie often snuggled up to her mamma. (14)

Here's the disturbing scene where a doll is declared dead:

One poor little thing lay apart from the others and was dripping wet. Her companions sobbed aloud as they told in low tones of how she was fished out of a water barrel, stone dead. Not even the Queen could bring her to life. (39)

And the agenda comes straight to the point:

She told them how kind they ought always to be to their dolls--just as kind as they wished their mammas to be to them....Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke of the poor little dead one; and she said she could always tell what kind of heart a little girl had by the way she treated her doll. Those who made the sweetest and tenderest mammas were those who had taken the most loving care of their dollies when they were little girls. She wanted them to begin over, and see who could be the best mother during the few weeks that followed. (52-3)

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed discovering this one. Would I have loved to have my dolls come to life as a child? Probably. Would I have been judged harshly by the Queen of Dolls? It would depend on the doll. There were a few dolls that were a bit out of favor, you might say. I didn't play with them--nor care if they were ever dressed. My mom could tell a few stories on me. BUT thankfully, she's not online.

The story is dated. Dinah is one of the dolls, she's a black cook with a wig askew (though she has a kerchief) and a broken leg that was hastily put on BACKWARDS. That's why I said poor Dinah. I suppose in 1901, when the story was first published, having a black cook in a household was nothing out of the ordinary.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Pocket for Corduroy

Pocket for Corduroy. Don Freeman. 1978. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Late one summer afternoon Lisa and her mother took their laundry to the laundromat. As always on such trip Lisa carried along her toy bear, Corduroy.

Premise/plot: Corduroy is "lost" at the laundromat when he leaves the chair Lisa placed him in, and goes off in search of something to make a pocket out of. Fortunately, he is not washed OR dried. Though his overalls do come off! Corduroy has a unique way of seeing the world--and his take on laundry baskets and soap flakes is interesting. Will he get a pocket at last?

My thoughts: I never knew about this one until I was searching for books published in 1978. I really enjoyed it overall. Lisa has a special bond with her best friend, and, she always understands exactly what he wants or needs. It must be nice to be Corduroy!!!

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Corduroy

Corduroy. Don Freeman. 1948/1968. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Corduroy is a bear who once lived in the toy department of a big store.

Premise/plot: Corduroy is a toy bear wearing overalls with a missing button. He didn't exactly realize his button was missing until it was pointed out to him. That night, he searches for his missing button unsuccessfully. Fortunately, the next day a LOVELY little girl buys him and takes him home.

"You must be a friend," said Corduroy. "I've always wanted a friend." "Me too!" said Lisa, and gave him a big hug.

My thoughts: I loved this one as a child. It doesn't really get any sweeter. The ending is just about perfect.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10


© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This Is My Dollhouse

This is My Dollhouse. Giselle Potter. 2016. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is my dollhouse. It used to be just a cardboard box. But then I painted bricks on the outside and divided the inside into rooms and made wallpaper with my markers and it became almost like a real little house.

Premise/plot: Readers meet an imaginative young girl who loves, loves, loves to play with a dollhouse she created by herself. Readers also meet her friend, Sophie, who has a store bought dollhouse. The two do work out how to play together despite their differences.

My thoughts: I could relate to this one! For me and my sister, it was Barbie doll houses. (She had one. I didn't. She had a *real* refrigerator, mine was out of blocks. She had a *real* bed, mine was an egg carton.) I loved the celebration of imagination AND friendship. I loved the focus on PLAY. Part of me does wonder if kids are allowed enough PLAY time and encouraged to PLAY creatively. I think there is a huge difference between PLAYING and playing on. (I want to play ON the computer. I want to play ON the ipad.)

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

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Waiting

Waiting. Kevin Henkes. 2015. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There were five of them. And they were waiting....

Premise/plot: A collection of toys sit on a window sill and wait. Most toys are waiting for something specific, but, not all. Some just like looking out the window at anything and everything. There is some sense of companionship among the toys, but, I wouldn't necessarily call this one friendship-themed.

My thoughts: Unique, yes, I think it is. Simple too. But at times, I found it charming and sweet. This is sometimes conveyed by the text of the story. One of my favorite lines is, "When it finally snowed, the puppy was happy. He'd waited a very long time." But I'd say that most of the charm is conveyed by the illustrations. (Both text and illustrations are by Kevin Henkes.) One of my favorite scenes is when the toys are all shown "sleeping" on the sill. And in another scene, the toys are shown huddled together--afraid--because of the storm outside. It is more expressive than you might at first think.

I'd recommend it easily to anyone who enjoys Henkes' work. Is it my personal favorite by him? I'd say no. It is not an action-packed, make-you-laugh-out-loud book to share with children. It is a quieter, subtler read instead. Nice doesn't have to be a bad thing in terms of describing a book.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Five 2013 Picture Books

 Ribbit. Rodrigo. Folgueira. Illustrated by Poly Bernatene. 2013. Random House. 32 pages.

Once upon a time there was a pond that was home to a family of frogs. It was their pond. And they were very happy living there. But one morning they discovered a surprise visitor...

I enjoyed Ribbit! I loved the illustrations of this adorable pig. This is the 'surprise visitor' who decided to visit the pond and make some new friends. The frogs didn't quite understand why the pig was there. They were very suspicious and extremely hesitant...at least at first. Really liked the ending of this one--with the pig up in the tree making new friends!

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

Toys in Space. Mini Grey. 2013. Random House. 32 pages.

That summer night, for the first time, the toys were left outside. The sun went down, the sky grew dark, and, for the very first time...the toys saw THIS. Everyone was quiet for a while. 

Toys in Space is silly and creative. I'm not sure if it would work for a group read-aloud, it was quite text-heavy. But I think it would definitely work as a read-aloud for parents to read to their own children. (They might want to read it first, however. I didn't like some of the language in this one: dang, stupid, ninny, etc. But every person has a comfort level of course! So what works for one might not work for another.) 

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 5 out of 10

Good Night, Sleep Tight. Mem Fox. Illustrated by Judy Horacek. 2013. Scholastic. 32 pages. 

One Friday night, Bonnie and Ben were being looked after by their favorite babysitter. Skinny Doug leaned against their bedroom door and said: 

"Good night, sleep tight.
Hope the fleas don't bite!
If they do,
squeeze 'em tight
and they won't bite
another night!"

I enjoy the premise of this one. A babysitter telling nursery rhymes to two children as he tries to put them to bed at night. (I'm not sure he was trying too hard at the beginning!) After each rhyme he says: "I'll tell you another I heard from my mother..." I appreciated the fact that it wasn't a book about a babysitter reading these rhymes to the two kids. I liked the fact that these were rhymes that had stayed with him and were a part of his life, his memory. The book celebrates imagination, language, and childhood itself perhaps.

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

The Story of Peppa Pig. Scholastic. 2013. 32 pages. 

Once upon a time, there was a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy named Peppa. Grunt! Grunt! More than anything in the whole wide world, Peppa loved jumping up and down in muddy puddles. 

If you or your little one LOVES Peppa Pig, then this one is one to consider. I do love Peppa Pig. I love Peppa's whole family. The show is just so much fun: the music, the characters, the silly stories. The book isn't quite as much fun as the show itself, but it captures some of the magic.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

Snippet the Early Riser. Bethanie Deeney Murguia. 2013. Random House. 40 pages. 

In many ways, Snippet was an ordinary snail. He drew on the sidewalk. He made leaf sculptures. He played soccer. He especially adored piggyback rides. At bedtime, he would snuggle inside his shell and fall fast asleep. But while his family loved to snooze all morning, Snippet did not. 

Snippet loves to wake up early. His father, mother, and sister DO NOT like to wake up early. Snippet does everything he can think of to make them wake up. He really wants to play! But still, his family stays asleep. Other insects offer advice on how to best wake them up, but it is the caterpillar's advice that works--at least this one morning! Snippet is a lovable character. Very charming! And I definitely enjoyed the illustrations! 

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews