What Baby Wants - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0744569621 ISBN 13: 9780744569629

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

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

About the Author

Phyllis Root says, "All parents have experienced the desperation of this situation—their baby won't settle down to go to sleep and they will attempt anything to try to hush the baby. I know I experienced it when my children were babies!"

Jill Barton grew up spending summers in the country, and she turned to her rural background for inspiration for WHAT BABY WANTS. She says, "I was inspired by memories of my childhood, especially of my grandparents' farm, and the illustrations for this book just seemed to flow out of the end of my brush."

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0744569621
• ISBN 13: 9780744569629
• Binding: Paperback