Michael Emberley

A variety of animals and other creatures get an invitation to a party starting "soon" and must hurry to get there. When walking proves too tiring, they get inventive and start pulling at the pages of the book to create vehicles for themselves to get there.

I really didn't care for this book. While I usually love books that encourage imagination and have a special spot reserved in my heart for books that are meta, this one didn't do it for me. I think part of it is perhaps the early reader show more component -- we're asking small children who are just learning to read to decode the words *and* the illustrations at once, which is more convoluted when the illustrations are this level of third wall-breaking. On the flip side, at least the words are kept simpler with a limited vocabulary that repeats itself. However, this meant the dialogue was kind of dull as it's just the same thing over and over again. I feel like this story in a picture book format where an adult is reading something a little more complex in terms of text while a child is following along by watching the complicated illustrations might have worked better.

Although, frankly, I also didn't care for the illustrations, which might be part of the problem. The cast of random animals, some of whom look more realistic than others, doesn't do it for me. I particularly dislike that the main character is some strange clown-like being not rooted in an actual animal. I was able to overlook this a little more in the previous title (I Did It!) because I liked that story and its message more. It also felt like the illustration style here changed a bit throughout the book, with some panels looking more like sketches than finished products. show less

Preschoolers may well relate to this charming story about it being too dark at night when the lights are out, but too bright with them on. How best to conquer fear of the dark?

After a blackout in the city, a little creature in striped pajamas wants more light in the room, and the child's parent suggests they illuminate the bedroom with stars taken from the night sky. Not only does that make it too bright inside, but the little one hears the moon crying because the sky is now too dark and show more feels bad. They give the stars back, not even keeping one, but once again there is too much darkness. They resolve the dilemma by going up on the roof and sleeping under the night sky together with the moon, with the sprinkling of stars making it seem just right.

Adorable illustrations by the author are bound to please young and old alike.

The messages for kids of empathy, sharing, and problem solving in easy-to-read words will appeal to parents, who may also benefit from the gentle reminder that respecting the fears of children and combatting them constructively can have positive outcomes for everyone. show less

A monster(?) parent and child are reading bedtime stories together when the power goes out. As the child expresses dislike of the dark and a flashlight isn't enough, the parent steps out into the night and retrieves all the stars from the sky as a nightlight for the child. But the child thinks it is now too bright and the moon is left all alone crying, so the family returns the stars and decides to sleep on the roof instead.

These Michael Emberley creature books are hit or miss for me. I show more still don't know what type of being the main character is supposed to be, but I guess that doesn't really matter? The books are whimsical in their own way, but I think I might have preferred a simpler, more realistic story where they just pivot to the rooftop bedtime instead of the weird interlude of stealing stars and making the moon sob. Still, it is all in all a sweet story of a parent's love and lengths they would go to soothe a fearful child.

The illustrations are likewise a mix of weird and whimsical, and are presented in the paneled style of comic books. The relatively simple text is all in dialogue bubbles. This makes this title a good introduction into graphic novels for youngsters who are still working on learning to read. show less

First sentence: I can do it! I can't do it! Can I do it? I can't do it!

Premise/plot: I Did It! is an "I Like To Read Comic" for new readers. The protagonist--who personally reminds me of an animaniac, but that is neither here nor there--is struggling with a series of tasks. These tasks are relatable to young children. It opens with stacking blocks, climbing a rope, catching a ball, etc. But ultimately--where the story spends the most pages--it is about this protagonist trying [and trying show more and trying and trying] to learn to ride a bicycle.

My thoughts: If this one had not won the Geisel Award in 2023, I may not have picked this one up at the library. The protagonist looks a little like a clown. But judging this book by the cover was a big mistake. I definitely enjoyed this early reader. The text is super-repetitive and easy to read. It could be a big confidence booster to new readers. And there's a story--that matters. Not all early readers have an actual story that is actually satisfying and worth reading. I also found it universally relatable. [At least I think so.]

It does remind me of one of my favorite picture books, Leo the Late Bloomer. show less