BAT, CAT, and RAT: Stars of A COZY HOME

 If you don't know author AMY DYCKMAN, I have one question: WHY NOT?!?

Her well-earned reputation and popularity comes not only from excellence in writing well for kids, but in her knack for hitting humor where it lands best- on the funny bone, not the snarky or snide or out-of-joint corner of kids' senses. They find laugh-out-loud and grin-able-tell-someone lines in everything she offers, always combined with brightly colored and appealing images created by some of picture book publishing's most shining stars. 

SIMON & SCHUSTER, 2024

In this case, AMY DYCKMAN was paired with illustration star MARK TEAGUE to create a trio of unexpected animal friends for an early-reading, beginning chapter book series that promises a long life of fans and adventures. BOOK ONE released too late to be considered for the 2023 CYBILS award in that category, but after serving as a panelist for this past season I assure you this (and upcoming titles in the series) will be nominated and seriously considered as finalists for the 2024 awards. 

With that bold claim, consider the book itself: BAT, CAT, and RAT series Book One: THE COZY HOME. This new independent reading series provides loads of fun. It's the introductory title that will help the ongoing series become a favorite with kids and families. Humor is a bonus and it has the lighthearted blend of silliness and realism that author Dyckman has mastered. Illustrations are equally delightful and make these three characters feel like new and lasting friends.

The subtitle note, THREE-and-a-HALF CHAPTERS suggests the ongoing nature of their adventures and the tongue-in-cheek writing approach readers can expect. (Excuse me a moment while I restock my hyphen-key for the rest of these these comments.)

I'll admit I had my doubts when I first read the title. Beginning readers that rely on (often overuse) words from the -at letter pattern are rarely my favorites. It suggests to me (after countless years of using beginning readers and early chapter books) that the "author" may be over-focused on inserting and "practicing" such patterns at the steep cost of fluent and fun narrative text. Similar to the painful reading of awkward poetry attempts, lines are inverted, repeated unnecessarily, and and sometimes even created where they had not existed before in order to provide particular letter patterns/groups that can then be considered "mastered" after the book has been successfully read without assistance. Just explaining that gave me a stomach ache. Nothing repels a child more (and that's probably the child in me reacting above) than opening a book, expecting a story, something engaging and entertaining or informative, only to find a word-soup of awkward, oddly assembled words and images with no real connection to their lives or imaginations. If you doubt me, just go to Goodreads or other book lists and check how many CAT-BAT-RAT titles you find! I'm not saying they are all bad, but I urged you to read any yourself before condemning a child to them.

It's joyful for me to know, after reading, that Dyckman and Teague have retained their child-focused storytelling, in words and visual narrative, throughout Book ONE. The characters are introduced as friends, revealing childlike behavior in their choices and playful banter. the stories flow naturally and  invite young readers to imagine themselves as neighbors to this lively trio. Coming in May, BOOK TWO takes them on VACATION, and I'm smiling now as I imagine their antics, as well as hoping for many more titles to come. These are the kinds of characters, experiences, and storytelling patterns that will have the books well-worn and in need of eventual replacement over time in homes, libraries, and classrooms. They continue the power of picture books (Compact, Complete, and Compelling) while transferring the power and agency of independent reading into the welcoming hands of young readers. That certainly shouldn't have surprised me, given the long success and accolades of the creative pairing of Dyckman and Teague. Even so, there is a particular talent to achieving that level of appeal within the format and intentional constraints of beginning readers. Kudos to both creators, commendations to whoever paired them, and happy reading to the young folks whose hands will find the joy of actually reading on their own in company with BAT, CAT, and RAT.

A Gumbo of Goodies...

In the nearly four-week lull since I last posted here, I've read quite a few picture books, each of which deserved enough attention for its own post. Since I haven't managed to find the time for that, despite my best intentions, I decided to share a patchwork of reflections in a single post.

(Don't bother looking for a central theme or brilliant concluding comment. Just know that  I wouldn't be pushing the pause button on my life to post these titles if they weren't worth your attention. Come on, folks, if I can make time to share these with you, you can find the time to check them out, right? And the sooner the better!)

So, here goes, in no particular order, rhyme, or reason...

Morris Mickelwhite and the Tangerine Dress, by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant. 
Stereotyping and gender expectations result in bullying and changing a happy, school-loving kid into one with school avoidance and stomach aches. 
This is a strong story that emphasizes the sensory/creative impulses of a very young boy rather than gender identity. When Becky snipped, "Boys don't wear dresses," Morris confidently replies "This boy does." It's really about an unconventional thinker in a a rigidly conforming culture. This will pair well with Fleischman's WESLANDIA for older readers.

Wolfie the Bunny, by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Zachariah OHoro.
The synopsis on Goodreads says:
"Families of all kinds will delight in this sweet tale of new babies, sibling rivalry, bravery, unconditional love...and veggies!
The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes Wolfie can--and might--eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it's Wolfie who's threatened, can Dot save the day?"

I looked forward to reading this, but I'll admit I'd made some predictions about how the story would play out, based on the many and glowing reviews I read before its release. Once I was able to get my hands on a copy and read it for myself (several times through) I was delighted to find it held surprises of the happiest kind. It is going to delight young readers/listeners, and the adults who read t them as well. What's more, it serves as a shining example to would-be writers of the very best that picture books have to offer. 

What may seem like a simplistic or predictable premise instead plays out on multiple levels of meaning and JUST PLAIN FUN!! Right in step with "JUST PLAIN FUN" comes  I'm My Own Dog, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stone.  Goodreads offer this synopsis: "Many dogs have human owners. Not this dog. He fetches his own slippers, curls up at his own feet, and gives himself a good scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of his back, that he just can’t reach. So one day, he lets a human scratch it. And the poor little fella follows him home. What can the dog do but get a leash to lead the guy around with? Dog lovers of all ages will revel in the humorous role-reversal as this dog teaches his human all the skills he needs to be a faithful companion." I say it's outright entertaining, but also a master class in irony/word play, voice, point-of-view, subtext, and characterization. Kids will love it, and so will everyone else. So, that's it for now, but I'll continue reading and making notes and return with more, sooner rather than later. That's a promise.