WALK ON!

“Is sitting there on your bottom getting boring?” asks an unseen narrator of a roly-poly tot with one curl on his head, followed by the announcement, “It is time to learn how to walk!” Beginning with the instructions to stand up, Frazee centers said baby’s bottom smack in the middle of a double-paged spread, head peering over it and legs akimbo. From there, it’s all instructions and laughs as page by page he’s is encouraged to walk by selecting appropriate support, pulling himself to a standing position, balancing, breathing and just letting go. And falling down. And having a good cry. Running down the all-important sock, shoe and diaper check, is vital as well. Simple retro-style cartoon-like illustrations in black pencil and gouache use spot art to feature the toddler in yellow booties acting out the directions while quizzically and determinedly taking those all important first steps. Clever use of bold fonts plays up the tongue-in-cheek text and adds to the fun. Frazee’s saucy invitation to all generations to “walk on” has just enough kick and sass to incite action in babies (and grown-ups) everywhere. (Picture book. 1-3)