Merry Christmas, Baby

In warm-lit domestic scenes, gentle bear parents offer seasonal wishes to their cuddly baby: “Merry Christmas to the baby I adore/ I wish you merry days and so much more.” While snow falls outside, Baby Bear experiences holiday firsts: playing with a present’s golden ribbon, feeling the boughs of a festooned tree, and munching Christmas cookies. When a group of woodland animals come caroling, Baby listens from the doorway: “I wish you hear/ the happy lullabies/ Every night when you/ close your eyes.” Tabby’s wishes are for readers as much as Baby Bear; her rhymes have a Hallmark quality that’s ideal for babies and readily matched by Wong’s homey, Christmas card–esque illustrations. Ages up to 3. [em](Sept.) [/em]