Baby Louise ignores all attempts to stop her crying and eventually upsets the whole neighbourhood as concerned adults offer advice and disgruntled animals flee with dismay. It isn't until her brother Daniel arrives home from school and says the magic words, "oonga boonga," that Baby Louise ceases sobbing and begins to smile again. Family members repeat the words, and little Louise grins from ear to ear. Once Daniel goes out to play, however, the words lose their appeal, and once again she is inconsolable. It is no surprise, then, that, upon his return, he quells her tears with the nonsense words, "bonka wonka."

      The energetic cartoon quality of Martchenko's illustrations suit this humorous tale of the special bond between a baby and her big brother. Louise's features are appropriately exaggerated. When she is squalling, she is mostly mouth with a rigid body, but, when smiling, her face and whole body relax. Young children, who know the world revolves around them, will have no trouble accepting that a baby can throw all the adults into a tizzy and only a young boy can restore harmony.

Recommended.