Chicken on Vacation

Chicken on Vacation. Adam Lehrhaupt. Illustrated by Shahar Kober.  2018. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: Zoey burst into the barn. "Pack your hat, Sam!" she said. "We're going on a beach vacation!"

Premise/plot: Chicken on Vacation is an I Can Read level one early reader starring one of my favorite characters. Last year I reviewed three books starring Zoey the chicken: Chicken in School, Chicken in Space, and Chicken in Mittens. (Chicken in Mittens and Chicken on Vacation are 2018 Cybils eligible.) In this book, Zoey and Sam are heading to the beach. (OR are they?!?!)

My thoughts: I really ADORE Zoey. I do. I never thought that one of my favorite sub-sub-genres of picture books would be CHICKEN BOOKS. But there are some great books out there. I would recommend the whole series.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Russell Wrestles the Relatives

Russell Wrestles the Relatives. Cindy Chambers Johnson. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There was only one day left until Russell's family reunion. Everyone was excited. Everyone except Russell. Family reunions meant lots of hugging, hand shaking, and hair tousling. And Russell's relatives? Well, they were a bit more...enthusiastic than most.

Premise/plot: Russell is WORRIED. He comes from a long line of WRESTLERS. Everyone in his extended family is a wrestler, and, well, Russell doesn't have the moves--at least not yet. How can he survive all the hugging and affection when everyone is so big, and so strong?! Russell needs a plan. Will Russell survive his family reunion without injury?!

My thoughts: This one was very playful. I really loved the narrative. The language in this one is just fun and joyful.

Russell's granddaddy was the Texas Tickler. He'd been perfecting his famous Texas Ticklehold for the better part of a century. The only wrestler who could beat him was Russell's grammy, Dorothy the Dropper, with her Kansas Crusher. Everyone of Russell's aunts, uncles, and cousins was a wrestler. They were sure to greet him with humongous hugs and Herculean handshakes. 

I loved the text. I wasn't as thrilled with the illustrations. But overall I really liked this one...so much more than I thought I would.

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


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Doll Hospital

The Doll Hospital. Kallie George and Sara Gillingham. 2018. Simon & Schuster. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The sun rises like a golden button in the sky. Dr. Pegs is enjoying a calm morning at the Doll Hospital.

Premise/plot: Dr. Pegs doesn't have much to do, or does she?! Just how busy can a hospital get in a day?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. Dr. Pegs is ALL about the checklists. It is a good thing she's an organizer. Because there are a LOT of dolls in trouble. The thought of so many dolls having accidents worries me. I know it's necessary for a doctor to have patients....but still. I don't think this will bother most readers.

This may be my favorite cumulative tale that I've read this year.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Iver & Ellsworth

Iver and Ellsworth. Casey W. Robinson. Illustrated by Melissa Larson. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ellsworth is a rooftop bear. Underneath him, a factory hums and a man bustles. The man's name is Iver. Iver and Ellsworth are good friends.

Premise/plot: Iver and Ellsworth are good friends. Iver spends his lunchtime visiting Ellsworth on the roof. But what will happen when Iver retires?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this picture book. Not many picture books focus on older generations, on senior citizens. I loved getting to know Iver as he takes care of Ellsworth throughout the book. And I thought the ending was satisfying. Perhaps slightly concerning if you think about it too much, but satisfying.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Currently #31

Something Old

The Three Musketeers. Alexandre Dumas. Translated by Richard Pevear. 1844/2006. 704 pages. [Source: Bought]

The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer. 1931/2008. Sourcebooks. 469 pages. [Source: Review copy]

The Blue Fairy Book. Andrew Lang. 1887. 390 pages. [Source: Bought]

Small House at Allington. Anthony Trollope. 1864. 695 pages. [Source: Bought]

Piercing the Darkness. Frank E. Peretti. 1989. Crossway. 448 pages. [Source: Bought]

Something New

The Romanov Empress. C.W. Gortner. 2018. 431 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Unbound. Ann E. Burg. 2016/2018. 347 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Something Borrowed

Pretties. Scott Westerfeld. 2005. Simon & Schuster. 370 pages. [Source: Library]

The Hazel Wood. Melissa Albert. 2018. 368 pages. [Source: Library]
Something True

Living Insights Study Bible. 1996. 1606 pages. [Source: Bought]

The Sovereignty of God. Arthur W. Pink. 1917. 272 pages. [Source: Bought]

Heaven. Randy Alcorn. 2004. Tyndale. 533 pages. [Source: Gift]

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. J.C. Ryle. 312 pages. [Source: Bought]

What If Jesus Had Never Been Born. D. James Kennedy. 288 pages. [Source: Bought]

The Hand of God. Alistair Begg. 1999/2018. 204 pages. [Source: Review copy]
© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews