★ 2017-04-17
Chew-proof, rip-proof, nontoxic, washable, and utterly charming! This newest offering, along with companion Things That Go!, in the highly practical Indestructibles series delights and informs while withstanding all the punishment exuberant young readers can inflict. Tough, tightly bound, floppy pages stand up to grabby hands, drool, gums and teeth, food, spills, and even a dunk in the tub. Wild, domestic, and barnyard animals, appealingly rendered in bold, vibrant colors, stand out against brightly colored backgrounds as they enjoy many of baby's favorite activities: playing, eating, making noise, and snuggling. The front cover and the final two pages pair baby animals with parents, but for most of the book, it's babies all the way. Each infant is identified by the type of animal it is and the proper term for babies of that species—the requisite cubs and calves, for example, but also some joeys and a hatchling. Artist Lomp imbues every animal with personality. The babies are carefree and social at play, jumping, cavorting in mud, or gazing in wonder at a dandelion. They eat with purpose and gusto. When noisy, they sing in joyous, cacophonous concert. When they snuggle, babes and parents alike look happy, peaceful, and content. While the charm factor in Things That Go! is less pronounced, it offers a nifty variety of transportation modes, including biplane, blimp, and scooter, driven and ridden by cheery humans of diverse races and genders. A delight. (Board book. 6 mos.-2)
