WHOSE BABY AM I?

Simple text introduces young children to an array of animal babies. An over-sized drawing of a juvenile wild animal is accompanied by the question “Whose baby am I?” Readers turn the page to discover a portrait of baby and parent, along with the statement “I am an owl baby” or “I am an elephant baby” This basic format is repeated throughout. Nine infants make up Butler’s menagerie, including penguin chicks, panda cubs, koala joeys, and more familiar creatures, such as a zebra foal and a giraffe calf. The colored pencil-and-acrylic illustrations are irresistibly cute. Each portrait rests on a sheer pastel background that changes from picture to picture in a subtle range of hues. Remarkably life-like, the carefully drawn animals are finely detailed—from the wrinkled hide of the elephant to long, feathery lashes framing the soft brown eyes of the zebra. For older children, the final two-page spread contains a matching challenge where they can pair the offspring with their respective parents. Also included at the end is an illustration of all the animal babies, each labeled with its appropriate name—e.g., “owlet” instead of owl baby. Ideal for the smallest explorer, Butler’s book of cuddlesome creatures is enchanting. (Picture book. 1-4)