Busy Babies

Description

An exuberant celebration of busy babies on the move! Busy babies have so much to do, from blowing bubbles to making trouble, whether they are in buggies or in snugglies! Join a rambunctious group of little ones as they go about the day, doing all of the wonderful things babies do. This adorable picture book features bouncy, rhyming text that makes it the perfect read-aloud to share with the busy baby in your life.

Amy Schwartz has written and illustrated many classic books for children, including Bea and Mr. Jones, a Reading Rainbow featured title; What James Likes Best, winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award; A Teeny Tiny Baby; Tiny & Hercules; Starring Miss Darlene; A Beautiful Girl; and I Can't Wait. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, children's book historian Leonard S. Marcus, and their son, Jacob.

A brisk, rhyming text describes the actions of infants and toddling 1- and 2-year-olds, shown in daily activities with their parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Clean, white backgrounds and a tall, vertically oriented trim accommodate some pages with two to four spot illustrations and a few with full-page views of the entrancing tykes in action. The children and adults include people of different ethnicities and several grandparents or caregivers with gray hair as well as dads and grandpas taking an active role with their little ones. Some children are still babes in arms or just sitting up, but most are walking (or running!) on their own and beginning to exert their independence. All sorts of activities are portrayed: eating and napping, visiting parks and an art museum, and typical toddler mischief such as emptying a wastebasket. The brief text repeats the titular phrase, followed by action phrases describing each activity, with a loose, pleasant rhyme scheme. The tiny tykes themselves have slightly oversized, round heads with teeny dots for eyes, and their adorable outfits include bright colors and patterns as well as one little one in a purple velveteen dress. The final page shows a toddler with a tricycle (but no helmet) and the concluding phrase, "Busy babies / Just like you!" Any child 2 or older will not want to be called a baby (though older siblings might be happy to), but that's a small quibble in an otherwise captivating story. A charming look at the lives of little ones, all fortunate to be cherished and cared for by loving adults. (Picture book. 2-5) -- Kirkus Reviews (STARRED) * March 1, 2019 * Babies and their guardians appear in eventful scenes illustrated in gouache and pen and ink, with detailed patterns and splashy colors....Schwartz delicately captures the wonder of new experience in her spry, friendly artwork. -- Publishers Weekly * 3/18/19 * What do babies do all day? Schwartz sums it up nicely in sequences of brief rhymed couplets that capture a wide range of activities and emotions....The text flows beautifully, but much of enjoyment comes from the line-and-watercolor artwork that accompanies each phrase. The combination is irresistible for babies and toddlers, who will be absorbed by the images of recognizable activities appearing on the page, or for adult readers, amused by some of the familiar situations depicted, such as a baby, suddenly too warm in a snowsuit, wailing on a crowded bus, or a toddler in a stroller, delighted with pulling off both socks. Precise black-ink drawings define the people and their surroundings, while the washes of rich colors that fill out the scenes look brilliant against the surrounding white space. Best enjoyed one-on-one, this picture book offers a wonderful focal point for conversations with young children. -- Booklist * April 15, 2019 *