Littles

Starred review from April 24, 2017
In a warmhearted celebration of early childhood, newborns grow into babies, who become toddlers, and—in a final spread—reach school age. Although these multicultural “littles,” as DiPucchio (Everyone Loves Cupcake) calls them, take some hesitant steps here and there, her rhymes never do: they’re unerringly comforting and spot-on in their cadence and meter: “Littles are cuddled and cradled just right./ On bellies, with blankies, in slings snuggly tight.” Stylistically, the book is a major departure from Ford’s work in picture book biographies such as Hello, I’m Johnny Cash and JFK; like the littles themselves, his delicate cartoon vignettes of family life are playful, tender, and frisky: one little devours a birthday cake by the fistful, another sends soap suds flying while splashing in the bath, and a third sprawls out on a patchwork floor, flanked by its two mothers. DiPucchio’s verse and Ford’s charming artwork combine to create what feels like a scrapbook of treasured childhood moments—moments that adult readers know are all too fleeting. Ages 3–7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

April 1, 2017
"Littles are loved from the moment they're born. / They're swaddled, / and coddled, / and kissed every morn." Celebrating "littles" of various ethnicities, this book shows a diverse array of infants and toddlers, with skin of many colors and hair of different hues, enjoying sweet everyday moments with their families. Large, expressive illustrations set against white backgrounds and a simple rhyming text with a bouncy beat come together for enjoying one-on-one or with many at storytime. "Littles are cherished by kindhearted kin, / who sway and who play and make peekaboo grins." Affection abounds as a mother nurses, a father bathes the baby, grandparents play peekaboo, and siblings kiss a sleeping baby. Families include two light-skinned mamas, one dark-haired and the other blonde, with their dark-skinned little, as well as a mama and papa of different skin colors with their biracial twin littles. But beware--for "littles grow BIG in the blink of an eye." And before you know it, they are off to school, waving with delight. Though it begs comparison to beloved titles Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (2008), and Everywhere Babies, by Susan Meyers and illustrated by Marla Frazee (2001), it has a joyous vivacity that's all its own. There's plenty of room on the shelf for this celebration of the similarities and connections among all our adorable littles. (Picture book. 2-4)

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August 1, 2017

Toddler-PreS-A rhyming love letter, posing as a picture book, that explains how quickly babyhood passes. The book starts with a baby swaddled in a bassinet and ends with kids waving goodbye as they get on a bus. Sweet rhyming text explains the different ways babies are cared for, "Littles are fed on soft laps and in chairs. They're nursed and they're spoon-fed cooked carrots and pears." The bright illustrations set against a white background elevate the text and celebrate diversity. Showcasing babies, families, and caregivers of multiple races, Ford also shows a baby being breast-fed, carried in a sling, and playing with two mothers along with many other scenarios. The cover features three babies of distinctly different races and will appeal to anyone looking for some diversity on the shelves. This book should find a home in all libraries, and will likely become the go-to baby shower gift. VERDICT An excellent purchase for collections, storytimes, and gifts.-Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2017
Preschool-K Ending with the heart-stopping reminder that littles grow BIG in the blink of an eye, this tender picture book will surely resonate with the parents and families of newborns. Littles, as we can easily deduce, are babies: freshly bundled and filled with novelty. DiPucchio lovingly lists all the ways in which babies are delightful, with their dimpled knees and sweet slumbers, and a few of the ways in which they are not, like when they smear food everywhere, and cry inconsolably. In addition to showcasing babyhood, the book integrates the roles of older siblings, grandparents, and, of course, parents. All manner of diverse families are represented as participating in the care and raising of littles. Ford's charming illustrations capture the roly-polyness of preambulatory babies and the many things it takes to ensure they grow up safe and loved. This title can happily join Janna Matthies' Two Is Enough (2015), Alyssa Satin Capucilli's I Will Love You (2017), and Patricia Hegarty's We Are Family (2017) on the bookshelves of new parents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)