Baby's First Year

January 31, 2011
Walton and Church encourage readers to think of a new baby's milestones as moments the whole family can celebrate. And indeed, the family depicted here, consisting of two parents and two young siblings, regards every accomplishment by its newest member with the same eager dot eyes and wide smiles. Big Brother can't wait to hold Baby and give the first kiss, while Big Sister tutors the infant on achieving its first peek-a-boo. But without mention of any unpleasant firsts (save for a tepid "first fall"), will real-life siblings be convinced? From the get-go, Walton's (Mr. President Goes to School) rhyming text is unfailingly sweet: "Our little Baby's finally here./ So small, so cute. Our little dear." Church's (Digby Takes Charge) collage and ink illustrations feature generously scaled characterizations and bright, saturated background colors that do their part to make each stepping stone feel like a special occasion, indeed; but for the most part, Church's art lacks the gentle, knowing wit that often adds a little tang to her sweet-natured aesthetic. Up to age 2.

April 1, 2011
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)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 1, 2011

PreS-A much-loved newborn is brought home to his family and a string of happy milestones follow. Rhyming text, narrated in the family members' shared voice, celebrates a year from first day to first birthday and everything in between. Big brother delivers a first kiss, big sister instigates a first game of peek-a-boo, and eventually two excited parents rejoice as "Baby likes to talk a lot./But understand?/We do not./Until one day, /what's that we heard?/Was that our Baby's very first.../Word!?" Many of the events are developmental (first tooth), though others are not (first book). The big-headed, rosy-cheeked youngster is rendered in bold, bright artwork done in collage and ink. Full-spread colored backgrounds keep the focus on the delightful towhead as he matures into an equally cute tot. As a bonus, the dust jacket indicates places to adhere pictures of one's own newborn reaching each milestone. This is a charming journey through a fast-paced 12 months that parents can share with their own beautiful babies.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2011
Preschool In this simply illustrated picture book, an older brother observes several firsts during his younger siblings first year: Babys first day, first kiss, first smile, first crawl, first tooth. Each one is introduced with a rhyme left hanging with a pause (sometimes incorporating a page turn), leaving space for the child to guess the babys accomplishment before it is revealed: On hands and knees, / see Baby try / to grab the toy as it rolls by. / Scurrying, hurrying / after the ball. / Its our fast Babys very first . . . CRAWL! Though verbal clues are not always obvious enough for young children, the illustrations often supply the answers visually. Using ink and cut-paper collage, Church creates a series of endearing illustrations that reflect the playful tone of the text. An alternative to new baby books focused on sibling rivalry, this book offers a positive view of a babys first year.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)