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BABY DAY

O’Keefe offers a genuine book for babies that is not a board book or a gimmicky format. Rhyming text of two to four words per spread pithily describes a day with a baby bear and its parents: “Baby laugh. / Baby cry. / Baby wet. / Baby dry. Baby work is never done. / Good thing baby work is fun.” Spowart’s simple, soft-edged pastels set against white backgrounds illustrate baby playing peek-a-boo, eating in a high chair, blowing bubbles, undressing for bed and being read to by mama and papa. Blanket cozy, as tickling as counting piggy toes and as sweet as “kissy-poo,” this treat calls out for a rocking chair, a lap and a baby. These three bears are “just right” for repeated enjoyment. (Picture book. 1-3)

Pub Date: March 31, 2006

ISBN: 1-56397-981-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2006

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JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

From the Emma Dodd's Love You Books series

A delightful offering that will be especially welcome as a gift for baby showers and new parents.

A doting parent offers tender assurances to a tiny child.

An adult tiger vows that they will be everlastingly devoted to their baby and at their side in every circumstance, under all conditions, no matter what, no matter when—and without the child’s having to change for any reason…ever. The pair, whose genders are unspecified, are endearingly depicted very close to each other, their bodies often entwined, over the course of a day and night. The enraptured cub listens carefully, taking the warm, comforting, empowering message to heart, not missing a word as the pair explore their habitat, reinforcing the idea of togetherness close to home and farther afield. Loving words like these from parents to children can’t be said often enough—and children can’t hear such esteem-building confidences often enough. The tiger’s soothing words are delivered in gentle, lilting verse. The very sweet illustrations, created digitally, depict this appealing duo expressively; especially charming are scenes of the pair captured beneath a starry night sky. Though there’s little new here, parent-child affirmations are always welcome. Grown-ups sharing this title shouldn’t be surprised if their own offspring want to hear it more than once. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A delightful offering that will be especially welcome as a gift for baby showers and new parents. (Picture book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-5362-2665-2

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Templar/Candlewick

Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2022

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BABY'S FIRST BOOK OF BIRDS & COLORS

Useful for toddling birders in need of board books about colors.

Gorgeous birds amid foliage of similar hues introduce eight basic colors.

The two birds presented on each spread not only are of similar coloration, but also live in the same North American habitat. A scarlet tanager and a cardinal, both male, perch in a red maple tree; a male Eastern bluebird and a blue jay appear with morning glories and blueberries. The name of each color is printed in large font, while the name of each bird is in a much smaller one. Whether the bird shown is male or female, or if the male and female have similar coloring, is also indicated. The names of the trees they perch upon are identified in a note on the back cover. These details will be lost on most toddlers, but caregivers will appreciate being able to answer questions knowledgeably. Colors featured are from the standard box of crayons, except that pink is substituted for purple. Black and white share a spread. The cover image, of a cardinal, goldfinch, and bluebird in a birdbath, is not nearly as inviting as the images within. The final spread shows children (one white, one black, one Asian) assembling a puzzle that includes the same birds. This may serve as a reprise but will probably be skipped over. Bird-loving readers will probably feel that the space could have been put to better use by giving white birds their own page or adding a purple martin.

Useful for toddling birders in need of board books about colors. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: May 2, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-58089-742-6

Page Count: 18

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Review Posted Online: April 16, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017

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