Baby Party

January 15, 2015
A party of rosy-cheeked, bigheaded, ethnically diverse babies encourages baby readers to clap and identify shapes. A group of mothers and a token dad gather their babies for a party with triangle hats, square gifts, rectangular blocks, oval balloons and a star-shaped toy to share. The tots play, sing, smooch, smile and eat healthy snacks before their parents gather them up for the walk or stroll home, most asleep before leaving the white-picket-fenced yard. Unlike virtually every real-life party with this age group, there's nary a tear nor a sad face in sight. Indeed, the babies' faces are rather static and all show basically the same cheery expression, though that doesn't detract from their cuteness. Bold patterns and bright colors will attract and hold young ones' attention, and the clapping won't hurt, either: "Clap for the baby holding an oval." Light but sweet. (Picture book. 1-3)

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February 1, 2015

PreS-During this gathering, babies explore shapes by holding an oval ballon, sitting in a circle, wearing a triangle hat, and giving a square box. They also do some smooching, clapping, and singing to round out their festivities till they are all pooped and head home. The bright and colorful illustrations depict a diverse group of babies having a great time. The text is short and sweet, even if viewers are never shown what's in that square package. VERDICT A wonderful lapsit to share one-on-one or in a small group.-Melisa Bailey, Harford County Library System, MD

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
Preschool It's a baby party, so get ready to clap! This effective read-aloud selection will encourage participation as children clap along for the baby holding an oval, the baby playing with a rectangle, and the baby wearing a triangle. Using shape recognition, this lovely offering helps children develop their motor, critical thinking, and identification skills (the oval is a balloon, the rectangle is a block, and the triangle is a party cap), all while looking at a diverse group of babies who resemble themselves and their friends. The accompanying illustrations touch on themes of sharing and cooperative playnone of the babies are fighting for the toys, and it's a good message to reinforce for this age group. O'Connell manages to once again create a story that will engross toddlers and encourage caregivers to make all interactions teachable moments for children. After all, if a child had never been to a party before reading this book, they will definitely want to go to one after.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)