Here Babies, There Babies. Nancy Cohen. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. Halifax, NS: Nimbus, 2015. 14 pp., board book, $8.95. ISBN 978-1-77108-273-0. Preschool / Birth-age 3. Review by Myra Junyk. **** /4

excerpt:

Here babies, there babies
See them everywhere babies.
Up babies, down babies
All around the town babies.

Here Babies, There Babies, written by Nancy Cohen and illustrated by Carmen Mok, is an appealing new board book from Nimbus Publishing which uses short phrases to introduce babies and toddlers to the ideas of activity and place. Its vibrant graphics and vivid colour choices will appeal to both tiny readers and their caregivers.

      Even the youngest readers will be intrigued by the babies travelling in cars, in strollers, on bikes, and on their parents’ backs. The babies pictured are both male and female, and they appear at various ages. The very first picture shows a tiny baby “on her daddy’s back, going for a hike,” while the next picture shows an older baby sitting in a shopping cart at a store. There is a lot of action in this tiny book as babies travel here and there. However, there is also a discussion of feelings as baby cries when she is tired and cuddles on daddy’s lap. The babies in this book are busy – but they also have time to nap!

      Although Nancy Cohen’s text is repetitive and easy to understand, it is also very thoughtful and reveals great insight into the lives of babies. Toddlers, as well as their baby siblings, will appreciate the simple words and the short sentences. Since the word “babies” is repeated at the beginning of many sentences, toddlers may be able to echo the words and phrases in this text after a few readings. They will be able to “read” the board book for themselves!

      The illustrations by Carmen Mok are filled with action and vibrant colours. At the library, three babies are shown crawling around exploring the shelves and looking at books. The two babies in their strollers are sharing a toy and smiling at each other. The sleeping babies are relaxed and illustrated in pastel colours while the more active babies are portrayed in primary colours such as red, green and blue.

      Young readers, as well as their caregivers and teachers, will learn a lot about the lives of babies in this durable and beautiful new board book! They will discover that babies are moving, sharing, reading, and exploring the wide world. This book would be a wonderful title for babies, but also for older children who have new siblings. They will discover that their baby sister or brother is definitely a very interesting person!

Highly Recommended.

Myra Junyk, of Toronto, ON, is a literacy advocate and author.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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