cover image Baby Day

Baby Day

Susan Heyboer O'Keefe. Boyds Mills Press, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-1-56397-981-1

The team behind Love Me, Love You presents an ode to the many activities that comprise a little one's daily routine. Much like the pitter-patter of little feet that takes the bear cub hero (or heroine, the gender is note specified) from activity to activity, O'Keefe's sing-song verse, with often just a two-word phrase per page, rhythmically carries readers along, from baby rising in the morning (""Baby high"") to falling asleep in Mother's arms at night (""Baby sleep is sweet as pie,/ head on shoulder, hush-a-bye."" Spowart's softened pastel drawings seem well-suited to such warm and fuzzy moments, such as baby handing Mother a book, or Father waiting at the top of the stairs while baby learns to climb. In this tale, both parents are equally involved, and families feeling a bit overscheduled might even take a cue from its less harried pace. O'Keefe's words serve as a gentle reminder that childhood is a time to savor and enjoy: ""Baby play makes every day/ a giggly goofy holiday."" Ages 6 mos.-2 yrs.