What Baby Wants

PreS-Gr 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, INRoot, Phyllis is the author of 'What Baby Wants', published 2001 under ISBN 9780763612634 and ISBN 0763612634.