Our Gorgeous Baby

“Our baby’s eyes are/ not brighter than/ the sun.” Allusive verse from Prasadam-Halls kicks off this clear-eyed board book tribute to babies and all of their quirks, as rhyming text establishes a truth-telling tone: “All day long people say that// she’s a gorgeous sight.// But we don’t think so when/ she wakes us up at night.” Other examples detail the subject’s uncouth behaviors (“Although we call her princess,// she acts more like a clown”), messy table manners, loud sounds, and stinky diapers. Coy’s richly colored artwork has a painterly aspect with soft-edged depictions of the child and family as they go about domestic activities and outings. Scenes frequently center the figure’s sibling observing with tender bemusement, amplifying the narration’s collective we as it affectionately concludes, “We love our baby more than/ anyone.” Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 2–5. (Mar.)