BABY'S FIRST YEAR
by Rick Walton ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Would this book be best as a gift for new parents, a title to prepare an older sibling-to-be or an interactive offering to share with a group of antsy toddlers or preschoolers? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Walton’s latest celebrates the many milestones a baby experiences during his first year. With rollicking verse full of familiar words begging to be read aloud, the narrator builds excitement and allows young readers to successfully guess the end of each rhyme with a dramatic page turn. Who could resist, “A little mouth, a little chin. / And what’s that there? A little grin? / It opens up a Baby mile. / See happy Baby’s very first… // …SMILE!” Church ably illustrates the vibrant fun with a style similar to Emma Dodd’s in Giles Andreae's I Love You Mommy (2011), using bright, summery hues outlined with strong black lines. The word for each “first” is supersized and exclaimed in bright capitals to further accentuate the delight in Baby’s new accomplishments. Readers will enjoy anticipating the first kiss, laugh, crawl, tooth, book, steps and word; they are invited to capture each of these special moments by utilizing the poster on the back of the dust jacket. Even though sweet books on new babyhood abound, this stands out as a fresh addition. (Picture book. 0-4)