Up!: How Families Around the World Carry Their Little Ones - Hardcover

Hughes, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 177147176X ISBN 13: 9781771471763

Publisher: Owlkids, 2017

Synopsis

Around the world, little ones are carried in many different ways: in slings, on shoulders, in backpacks, on hips, in baskets, and in loving arms. Up! depicts ten places around the world, from Afghanistan to northern Canada, Peru to West Africa. In each place, a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling lovingly carries a baby.

With various family configurations and settings ranging from a busy outdoor market to a high-rise apartment kitchen, the book wholeheartedly celebrates diversity. Gorgeous cut-paper collage art adds warmth and brightness, and brings the lyrical text to life. Repetition of the phrase “Upsy-daisy” on each spread lends familiarity, and reminds readers that love for a little one is a universal feeling.

About this title

About the Author

Susan Hughes is the author of over 30 children’s books, including Off to Class and Making Canada Home. She is also a freelance editor and story coach for both novice and experienced writers. She lives with her family in a house with a bright red door in Toronto, Ontario.

Ashley Barron graduated from OCAD’s illustration program. Her award-winning cut-paper collage illustrations have appeared in magazines, children’s publications, websites, posters, animations, store windows, and set designs. Ashley is the illustrator of Kyle Goes Alone and the Math in Nature series. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

Toddler-PreS—Whether bouncing on a brother's hip or nestled in an auntie's sling, babies around the world are carried safe and snug. In this picture book ode to familial love, Barron's cut-paper collage illustrations depict a diverse array of family members caring for babies throughout the day. An African mother cradles her infant in her arms while dropping off an older child at school; in a high-rise city apartment, a father in a wheelchair holds his son close; two babies swing gently in baskets as their uncle conveys them across a rice paddy; and on a sunny beach, a biracial family plays in the sand. Hughes's buoyant text works well for reading aloud. Each spread incorporates the refrain "Upsy-daisy," addresses the baby directly, and clearly identifies the family member portrayed. The vibrant background settings are not identified specifically but are clearly international and present day. A First Nations grandmother in a northern snowscape wears eyeglasses and a barrette along with her parka, and her village contains modern buildings, with nary an igloo in sight. Busy market scenes in Southeast Asia and the Middle East include cars as well as animal carts and people in both traditional and contemporary clothing. The exceptional depth, texture, and movement of Barron's paper art provide plenty of visual interest to engage young audiences. VERDICT Detailed illustrations of realistically diverse families elevate a simple concept. Ideal for sharing one-on-one with toddlers and preschoolers.—Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN

Edition details

• Publisher: Owlkids
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 177147176X
• ISBN 13: 9781771471763
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Barron Ashley
• Number of pages: 24