The latest in the Urban Babies Wear Black series demonstrates a wry sense of humor, crisp, sophisticated graphics and a thematic approach that leaves its presumed audience of babies in the cold. In addition to wearing bibs, it appears that foodie babies “know their way around a kitchen,” “browse farmers’ markets” and “dine al fresco.” Dion’s illustrations partake of a Helen Oxenbury–style sense of irony (the baby sharing “small plates” is seen from behind, flinging peas at a startled mother), but the complexity of their rendering puts them far beyond the visual comprehension of an actual baby. More for smug foodie parents than real babies—but we already knew that. (2-3)
