Little Humans

Stanton, author of the bestselling Humans of New York and the popular website of the same name, turns his lens on children in this compilation of new photographs and those from his site. Shot in urban settings throughout the year, the portraits represent a rich range of ethnic backgrounds, eclectic outfits, and spontaneous poses. Stanton laces the images together with simple free verse alluding to children’s attributes, accomplishments, and pastimes: “Little humans can do BIG things, if they stand up tall and hold on tight.” In one scene, a stylish mother and daughter wearing pink straw hats smile at the camera; elsewhere, a stony-faced toddler and his dog sport superhero costumes (“Little humans can be tough... super HERO tough”). The airy verse replaces Stanton’s off-the-cuff comments and quotes from his subjects that typically accompany his work, but that doesn’t diminish the images’ impact or their insight into the personalities of his young subjects. This vivid collection underscores both the diversity and commonality among children, and may well inspire readers to imagine the lives of and stories behind each child. Ages 4–8. Agent: Brian DeFiore, DeFiore and Company. (Oct.)