Baby Talk - Hardcover

Hiatt, Fred

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689821468 ISBN 13: 9780689821462

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, 1999

Synopsis

Joey finds that he can connect with his new baby brother by speaking his own special language with him

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

The team behind If I Were Queen of the World here explores the way a family communicates with their new baby. "WAAH!" says Joey's new brother, and although various family members try to translate ("He's just telling us that he's hungry"; "He's saying he needs a dry diaper"), Joey is not the least bit interested. Then one day the baby says "Agoo." Perceptive Joey learns to repeat the baby's sounds better than anyone else, and he gradually becomes the family's expert in baby talk. "Now what's he saying?" asks Joey's grandmother at the end of the book, and Joey answers, "He's saying he loves his big brother. Right, Baby?" Although not all of the baby's babbling sounds are believable, Hiatt's simple story line and text are age appropriate and full of family warmth. Graham's lustrous oil paintings of the adoring baby and his reluctant hero focus on ordinary family activitiesAriding in the car, shopping at the supermarketAand give the book a cozy, homespun tone. Children will enjoy spotting the baby's rubber ducky and other toys that litter the family's house, especially when the same toys reappear on the colorful end papers. Ages 3-7. (May)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Importuned by the incomprehensible cries of his baby brother, Joey turns to his other family members to decipher their meaning, preferring the role of an observer in the daily care of his sibling. However, a keen remark from Grandmother enlightens Joey and forges a special bond between the two youngest members of the household: ``You spoke baby talk not so long ago.'' After a few tentative phrases in baby gibberish, the siblings are happily communicating in their own language to their mutual delight. Soon Joey becomes the translator for the family, explaining the baby's requests to the others. The transformation of Joey from reluctant toddler to loving brother is realistically, achingly rendered, saved from sentimentalism by the conversations and genuine affection that blossom between brothers. Graham's incandescent illustrations complement and expand the text, making the flow of emotion between the siblings a nearly tangible element in their scenes. A blend of delicate hues and deep jewel tones suffused by a gentle light lends an ethereal quality to the images. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0689821468
• ISBN 13: 9780689821462
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Graham Mark