By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 12, 2010
No matter how hard we all try to be the best moms (and dads) that we possibly can, we all have moments in which we lose our patience with our most treasured gifts: our children. When I read these two picture books: Who Loves the Little Lamb by Lezlie Evans and The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade by Deborah Diesen, there was no mistake in my mind that a family story time with these books would offer just as much joy and reassurance to moms (and dads) as it would to their children.
by Lezlie Evans (Author), David McPhail (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (January 5, 2010)
Source: Publicist
Lezlie Evan’s Who Loves the Little Lamb is most certainly a “comfort book.” The lilting rhyme creates a safe haven for those small moments of fussiness and minor accidents—such as spilt milk—by sharing the fact that mama’s love their little ones no-matter-what. This is an important message for each and every child, but it also offers fortitude to adults. David McPhail’s illustrations of personified animals are delightfully soft, which allows the message of this book to be delivered quietly and keep everyone’s self-esteem intact. With perfect timing, the final pages bring it closer to home with images of a young boy in his mother’s arms. Reading this book to a child is like taking in a huge, big, deep breath of air.
Add this book to your collection: Who Loves the Little Lamb
by Deborah Diesen(Author), Tracy Dockray (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tricycle Press; 1 edition (March 23, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Also a rhyming book, Deborah Diesen’s The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade is a thoroughly entertaining reminder for parents to savor every moment with their youngsters—babies don’t stay babies forever. The babies and toddlers in this book have been given strong voices. They hit the streets in protest of naps, mashed peas, frilly clothes that great-grandma made, washed hair, and so many more relatable topics. And, even though these allied babies are making crazy demands, as soon as they’re done making their points, all of the parents are there waiting for them with open arms to snuggle and sing those babies a song. There’s that message again: mamas (and daddies) love their little ones no-matter-what. Tracy Dockray, known for her illustrations of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona and Ralph S. Mouse books, has injected so much energy and persona into each and every tiny character. When combined, the pictures, the clever rhyme, and the subtle (and not so subtle) messages of this book are like a double-shot latte after a sleepless night—perfect!
Add this book to your collection: The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered, Baby Brigade