What Baby Wants - Hardcover

Phyllis Root

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0744540909 ISBN 13: 9780744540901

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 1998

Synopsis

Everyone in the family wants to help the baby find sleep. They try everything from bringing flowers to a tree full of song birds. At last the youngest child finds the right answer. All baby wanted was a cuddle and a lullaby.

About this title

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-When Mama gets tired, the rest of the family volunteers to take care of Baby, but he's not happy and they can't figure out why. Grandma decides that he needs to look at something pretty, so she surrounds his cradle with meadow flowers ("WAAAAAH"). Aunt thinks a kiss will comfort him, so she brings a cow into the house to lick his face ("WAAAAAH"). Uncle thinks Baby needs something warm, so he herds in a flock of woolly sheep ("WAAAAAH"). Each loving relative goes to funny extremes to try to comfort the infant. Finally, it is left to Brother to give him what he really needs-a cuddle, a kiss, and a soft lullaby. By the time Papa gets home, Baby is asleep, the house is full of farm animals, and the whole family is ready for a nap. Barton's delightful watercolor paintings perfectly complement Root's depiction of a caring, if confused family. The expressions on the characters' faces are priceless, as hopeful anticipation changes to perplexed concern and even the cow looks worried. The endpapers at the beginning show a busy farm scene, while those at the end offer a quiet nighttime version of the same view. The repeated refrain, "Was that what Baby wanted?" and a variety of fun sound effects will have children chiming in. Filled with warmth and affection, this book is great for reading aloud or sharing at bedtime.
Kathy M. Newby, Russiaville Branch Library, IN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 2^-5. A sweet, simple charmer for the very young is made extra special, thanks to Barton's softly colored, folksy illustrations. Grandma, Grandpa, and the rest of the family volunteer to care for Baby while Mama naps. They do their best to quiet the child--Grandma brings pretty flowers for Baby to look at, Aunt gets a cow to give Baby slurpy kisses, and Uncle brings woolly sheep to keep Baby warm. But Baby's screams grow louder until smart Little Brother figures out what the family really needs to do to make Baby happy. Little listeners will probably guess what Baby really wants long before Root's well-meaning picture-book family has a clue. Stephanie Zvirin

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0744540909
• ISBN 13: 9780744540901
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Jill Barton
• Number of pages: 40