Princess Baby

December 17, 2007
The curly-haired and clearly much-adored young heroine is sick and tired of people calling her “Cupcake,” “Giggly Goose,” “Missy Muffin” and other such sobriquets. After all, her “real name”—and the book's title—should be obvious from her shiny crown (it glitters on the book jacket), or her wand, or her innate sense of noblesse oblige (“I have perfect manners... and make sure that everyone in my kingdom is happy”). Katz's (Counting Kisses
) characters are the very definition of pert. They have big round heads and tiny cute eyes, and they frolic on pastel backgrounds of polka dots, clouds and flowers; even the human beings looks like plush toys. Toddler girls just discovering the joys of dress-up should find this as enticing as a glittery petticoat, although the same idea received more astute treatment this past fall in Karma Wilson and Christa Unzner's Princess Me
. Ages 1-5.

March 1, 2008
PreS-This typically self-absorbed toddler is not amused by the pet names she is calledButtercup, Cupcake, or Little Lamb. She is greeted each day with endearing phrases such as, "Time for breakfast, Giggly Goose" or "How's my Sweet Gumdrop today?" But as she romps around the house in her floral pajamas, the audience will soon realize her preferred name as she dons her golden crown and glittery jewels. Baby joyously leaps across a spread with clothes a-flying. Katz has drawn the human and stuffed-animal characters with perfectly rounded heads, and she uses other softly curving lines in rendering motions such as a curtsey and arm gestures. The predominate color is fuchsia, while other bright hues complement the rosy tones. The cover attracts attention because the crown and shoes are done in a glittery gold. Toddlers will ask for repeated readings of this cheerful view of a youngster's world."Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
A book that gently admonishes parents for their creative nicknaming, Katzs latest is narrated by a young girl who doesnt like picturing herself as a buttercup, a giggly goose, a cupcake, a little lamb, or a sweet gumdrop. Dressed in her fancy dress, shiny crown, velvet cape, and glittery jewels, she would much rather becalled by her real name: Princess Baby. If slightly generic, Katzs sweet, mixed-media illustrations are brightly colored (lots of pinks, purples, and greens) and textured (the sparkly golden crownon the cover is even a little rough to the touch); the girl's face is a big circle with tiny features, andherstuffed-animal playmates are drawn in the same vein. The art ably supports the books messages about childrens rich fantasy life and their desire to assert themselves, which come through clearly enough for mostkids to grasp.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)