Little You

Starred review from March 18, 2013
Van Camp composes a lyrical ode to a newborn child, which is matched in its loveliness by Flett’s exquisite, collage-like images of a young one with his or her parents. Both collaborators are of aboriginal Canadian descent, and the book will have particular appeal for families looking for nonwhite representations of tender family moments. But families of every size, shape, and background can appreciate sentiments like, “You are life and breath adored/ You are us and so much more/ Little ember with growing light/ Feel our love as we hold you tight.” Up to age 3.

A mother and father profess their love for their little one. With Van Camp's spare second-person verse on the left-hand page and Flett's graphic art in various shades of red, orange, tan, gray, black and orange against a white background on the facing page, the spreads lovingly depict a young child growing from infancy to toddlerhood. The young tyke (gender unknown) is almost always pictured with one or both parents as the babe dances with mommy, rides with dad in a boat and explores the natural world. The text has the gentle cadence of a lullaby: "Little star / with little wings // Let's all dance / let's all sing." Flett, who is of Cree Metis heritage, gives each character tawny skin, almond-shaped eyes and dark hair. This, combined with her sophisticated and simple style, allows her featured family to represent relatively broad branches of the human family. The art, with the look of cut-paper collage, uses curved forms and playful prints to flesh out the affectionate tableaux. Some of the image and verse pairs are quite sophisticated (such as the line "You are mighty / you are small" paired with the image of the small baby seated on the beach but casting a very long shadow) and may go over little ones' heads, but the soothing rhythms of the language and the affection of the scenes are right on target. A poetic and joyful celebration. (Board book. 3-18 mos.) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2013

PreS-This tender celebration of babies features gentle rhymes and warm, understated illustrations. The six couplets combine direct language: "Let's all dance/let's all sing" with more poetic imagery: "Little wish/Gentle thunder." The art has the look of cut paper, with distinct lines and pleasingly curved shapes. It depicts the same child, at home and out in nature. Some scenes show the youngster alone, others with one or both parents. Eschewing the overt cuteness often seen in board books, the artist captures the toddler's joy in subtle, but tangible images, from a smiling face looking up at butterflies to the wisp of hair that blows just like the father's as the two watch fish from a canoe. The family feels real and specific, and the message ("You are the birth of everything true") will resonate with all readers.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

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