Young children with new siblings on the way will get chuckles as well as basic information from this lighthearted import. “There’s a baby growing in Mom’s tummy. I’ll keep you informed!” the narrator announces. And so she does, as, through nine page spreads of increasing size and a ruled edge, the life-sized baby starts out a “teeny-weeny blob” at one month, gets “as big as Mom’s thumb” by three months, and finally, “ready for launch,” greets the outside world with outspread arms and a big smile. Changes in parental behavior get tracked too, from Mom’s burgeoning underwear sizes to Dad’s instantly rejected name suggestions: John (inspired by Mom’s morning sickness), Elvis, Pelé, or Hulk. Nayler captures the breezy tone perfectly in big, bright, simply drawn cartoon scenes featuring dot-eyed figures in active poses. This may not answer every question young ones might pose, but its unusual format makes it a good visualization aid, infused, from first “News Flash” to final surprise (it’s a girl), with high spirits and eager anticipation. (Picture book. 3-7)
