74. Let's Giggle

74. Board book: Let's Giggle. Caroline Jayne Church. 2013/2025. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, board book]

First sentence: Laugh out loud or just giggle!
Feel a tickle in your middle!
Roll around and touch your toes!
Give a grin! Wiggle your nose!

Premise/plot: Let's Giggle was originally published as a board book in 2013. It was originally a board book with sound; it had a literal giggle button. It was a novelty, for sure. The giggle button is gone in this reprint. So readers are left with a sweet rhyming text and adorable illustrations. Goodreads does not have the version I have in my hands. They are instead promoting a bilingual edition. If Let's Giggle was indeed a bilingual board book, I think it would have more to offer. (For the record, I tried searching by isbn number, and this book just "does not exist" in their system.)

My thoughts: The illustrations are adorable and cutesy-sweet. If that's what you love, then this one might just work for you. The rhymes are of that darling variety. Which again complements the illustrations. IF that is what you are looking for in a board book to share with little ones, this one may be just right for you. I think I'd have preferred either the original giggle button OR bilingual text. Something to give this one a little extra.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

60. A Thousand Years

60. A Thousand Years. Christina Perri. Illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture books, 3 stars]

First sentence: The day we met,
frozen, I held my breath,
Right from the start,
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart.
Time stands still.
How to be brave
when I'm so afraid that you might fall?
But watching you stand alone,
all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

Premise/plot: Christina Perri's lyrics to A Thousand Years have been adapted--shifted--to fit a parent's love for a child. It isn't just the lyrics or modified lyrics. The narrative fits for a family situation. Throughout the picture book, a mother's love for her daughter is evident.

My thoughts: I like the idea of this one more than I actually like it. However, I do think it is lovely enough for what it is. There will always be publishing space for sentimental, sweet, precious books celebrating a parent's unconditional love for a child. Always and forever there will be books published about this special type of familial bond.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

54. Can't Stop Kissing That Baby

54. Can't Stop Kissing That Baby. K.L. Going. Illustrated by Fiona Lee. 2025. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

First sentence: Oh, that momma! She can't stop kissing the baby. Can't stop, just can't stop. No, she can't stop kissing the baby. 

Premise/plot: If you are looking for a sentimental (bordering on syrup-y) picture book about parents--most mothers--that can't stop, won't stop kissing their babies....then this is the one for you. Several different types of [diverse] families are illustrated. The text is simple and repetitive. 

My thoughts: I have not tried reading this one aloud. I haven't. I think there's a chance it could read as lyrical if read aloud. It is still repetitive, but it might work better if thought of as a poem. I like this one fine.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

53. Our Gorgeous Baby (Board book)

 

53. Our Gorgeous Baby. (Board book). Smriti Prasadam-Halls. Illustrated by Eve Coy. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, babies, 5 stars]

First sentence: Our baby's eyes are not brighter than the sun. And no, she's not as light as a feather. She weighs a ton! Although we call her princess, she acts more like a clown. She rules her royal subjects with a muddy crown. 

Premise/plot: Our Gorgeous Baby is now a board book. (I believe it was a picture book in 2024.) A family praises their baby ultimately in a realistic way. The book features realistic scenes from life in a household with a baby. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one! It is funny and sweet. My favorite lines, "We've never met a real angel, but as far as we can tell, they don't shout or screech or roar or yell." It is a loving book without being overly sentimental in a syrupy way.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

42. It's Hard to Be A Baby

 

 42. It's Hard To Be a Baby. Cheryl B. Klein. Illustrated by Juana Medina. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, babies]

First sentence: Hey there, babies. I hear you. Everyone thinks your lives are easy. When you're hungry, people feed you. When you're sleepy, they love to hold you. When you cry, they want to calm you--they'll do anything to make you happy! It sounds great, but you and I know the truth...

Premise/plot: The book persuasively makes the argument that it is HARD to be a baby. It is written in second person you, directly to a baby or perhaps babies. The book covers all the basics of babyhood...but from the perspective of a baby and NOT the perspective of a new parent. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one so much! I love all the illustrations of babies. I love the point of view. I thought the narration was great. I loved that it starts with life in the womb. I think this one would be a great gift for soon-to-be mothers or great to display at a baby shower. Or perhaps as a read aloud for children who will soon be getting a new baby brother or sister. I like the light humor.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

 

28. The Baby Who Stayed Away Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5 stars]

First sentence: In the light of the moon, a little baby lay fast asleep. HA! Yeah, right! Not this baby! Sleeping is for koalas and teenagers. This baby intended to stay awake forever. At 8 o'clock, Mama said, "Good night, sweetie." Papa said, "Sweet dreams, little one." Sister said, "See you in the morning." BAby said: GA! 

Premise/plot: A family struggles with a baby--though NOT a newborn or young infant--who refuses [strong headed, strong willed] to sleep through the night. Trying to get the baby asleep is a family affair--mother, father, sister. [The neighbor, well, can't escape the consequences of everyone's choices.] 

My thoughts: Who is this book for? I think it is 100% for parents and older siblings. I think it is a humorous, relatable story--if not slightly exaggerated to most people's reality. It is on the text-heavy side. But there are plenty of silly illustrations as well. (Such as when the baby decides to throw a DANCE PARTY). (Another favorite scene is when readers get a 'meanwhile' glimpse of the neighbor who just decided to get up in the middle of the night. He's eating a bowl of cereal and is resigned to his fate.) (Yet another favorite image is when Mama is trying to cuddle baby. If you know you know. Seriously though that could be for most of these illustrations.)

Is this book for babies and toddlers? Perhaps not as much as for those slightly older. I do think it would be a silly read aloud for the whole family. I think with a little practice, this one could be acted superbly.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. Mustache Baby

 

4. Mustache Baby. Bridget Heos. 2016. HMH. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When Baby Billy was born, his family noticed something odd: He had a mustache.

Premise/plot: His parents anxiously wait to see if Baby Billy's mustache will turn out to be a "good-guy" mustache or a "bad guy" mustache. Readers see "Baby Billy" through his toddler years. And in fact, while most of the time his mustache is a good-guy mustache, there are SOME days when it is in fact, quite the opposite. "But a funny thing happened. As Billy got bigger...his mustache grew and curled up at the ends."

My favorite scene is probably when he robs a train: "A train robber so heartless that he even stole the tracks." The expression on his face is PRICELESS.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I wished I'd known about it when it first came out in 2013. I don't know how I missed such a great book. It is now available in board book format.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

 

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. This Baby. That Baby.

This Baby. That Baby. Cari Best. Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. 2024. [February] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: Somewhere in the big, big city 
across a beep-beep street
along two bumpy sidewalks
up two tall buildings
to the
third
fourth
fifth
floors,
two happy babies look out their morning windows
at the very same time.
This baby.
And that baby.
This baby has a lot of curly black hair.
It bounces when he giggles.
That baby has a floppy red hat.
It falls off
when she wiggles.

I love, love, love, love, love this one!!!! It stars two babies: THIS baby and THAT baby. It chronicles their parallel lives--will these two get a proper meeting??? 

I love the celebration of family life, the ordinary moments, the oh-so-relatable moments, the blink and they're gone moments. The story is adorable. The illustrations are adorable. Highly recommended....and so rhythmic too. Loved everything about this one.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

178. Mustache Baby Christmas

The Mustache Baby Christmas. Bridget Heos. Illustrated by Joy Ang. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You know that Baby Billy was born with a mustache. And that Baby Javier was born with a beard. But did you know that on Christmas Eve, Javier’s beard...that made him Santa’s #1 helper, Santa Baby!

Premise/plot: Mustache Baby (Baby Billy) is Back and starring in his fourth picture book. In this holiday adventure, these two friends become Santa’s helpers. Javier becomes Santa Baby and Baby Billy becomes an elf. A toy-making elf. But toys are made to be given away, right?!?! Will Billy want to give away the toys that he has made?! Or will he want to keep them ALL?! Will he be on Santa’s naughty or nice list?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It’s a cute and clever holiday read aloud just about perfect for families. It is definitely full of puns. These puns may get old after the fiftieth time or so, but I definitely think it’s an again again read aloud to bring out season after season. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

147. Board book: What Do You See?

What Do You See? Sarah N. Harvey. Illustrated by Jane Heinrichs. 2021. [September] 22 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What do you see when you lie on your back? A lion. A monkey. A train on a track.

Premise/plot: What Do You See? is a board book for little ones. Every spread asks the question--what do you see? It's meant to be from a young toddler's perspective. Readers also notice--though the text never calls attention to it--that there is an older brother and a new sibling on the way. (And from the looks of things, they will all be sharing a room together! In fact, it looks as if he's transitioning from the crib at the beginning of the story to a bottom bunk bed (with guards) by the end of the story.)

My thoughts: I liked it okay. It is one of the books that 'celebrates' the ordinary moments of family life. Dare I say it more mundane moments of life? These are moments that life is made of--and there is something precious in them that you rarely appreciate in the moment. These are the moments that you almost always take for granted.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

47. Baby Island

Baby Island. Carol Ryrie Brink. Illustrated by Helen Sewell. 1937. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: On the night of September twentieth, the S.S. Ormina, two weeks outward bound from San Francisco to Australia, was struck by a tropical storm and badly disabled.

Premise/plot: Mary Wallace (age 12) and her sister Jean (age 10) have a grand old time when they find themselves shipwrecked on an island in charge of four children under the age of two. Think about that for a minute--if you're an adult.

So as the ship is sinking, Mary decides to help rescue the babies she knows are on board. Apparently three of the four babies weren't with their parent(s) at the time. The two sisters end up with four babies (three of which are siblings): Elisha and Elijah (age 20 months) and Jonah (age 4 months) AND a little girl Ann Elizabeth (age 1). So these children end up in a lifeboat together--no other women (as you'd expect in a sinking ship). They are set adrift in the ocean. But don't worry, all will be well because we've got baby whisperers on board. Mary knows everything there is to know about babies. And she's willing to learn about lifeboats and islands, too, I suppose.

Eventually, the lifeboat comes to shore on a desert island. The kids persevere for a bit...having one grand adventure after another. Will rescue come?

My thoughts: My mom LOVED this book when she was in elementary school. She's always talking about how much she'd love to reread this book and how she hasn't seen a copy in years. So it was a Christmas gift to her this year. And after she reread it, I decided to read it for the first time. She has warm and fuzzy memories about it. I do not have such--for better or worse.

It's not that the book is bad--or "bad"--so much as the book is ridiculously naive and requires a long suspension of disbelief. So long as you don't think about what it would actually be like to be shipwrecked with babies on a desert island, you might enjoy yourself mightily. But this book doesn't really accurately cover the things babies are known for most. 

Is this because it wasn't polite to talk about dirty diapers in general in 1937? Or it wasn't appropriate for children to read about dirty diapers? But it wasn't just that these babies never made messes in their clothes/diapers. It was that they didn't really behave and act like babies at all. I mean taking care of young babies is HARD--as in exhausting, physically, mentally, emotionally demanding. Not that it isn't rewarding and worth it. Not that it can't be full of sweet, tender, lovely moments. But for all the sweetness and joy--there's a lot of clean up and work.

But forgiving that--and I can forgive that--it also doesn't feel realistic in terms of island survival either. Like this island has no insects or wild life that pose any dangers or risks whatsoever. Not that I wanted there to be poisonous, venomous creatures about--just the idea that this island was 100% baby-proofed and that it was so safe and so easy. (Also no one ever gets sunburned.) It's like super-easy to keep all four babies (and themselves) adequately nourished. It just doesn't feel realistic or likely.  

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44. Shhh! The Baby's Asleep

Shhh! The Baby's Asleep. JaNay Brown-Wood. Illustrated by Elissambura. 2021. [June] 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Now don't make a peep....the baby's finally asleep.

Premise/plot: It may take a WHOLE family working together to keep the house quiet enough for the baby to sleep--and stay asleep!!! After half a dozen close-calls, will the baby finally wake up?!?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is fairly predictable, but in a good, fun way. The refrain is "shhh! the baby's asleep!" I like that the family is LARGE--including a set of grandparents. It is all about descriptions: creak! creak! creak! grumble! grumble! grumble! swish! swish! swish!

I will say this--for what it's worth--babies should sleep with some white noise so that the family doesn't have to be so careful!

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

100. No More Naps!

No More Naps! A Story for When You're Wide-Awake And Definitely NOT Tired. Chris Grabenstein. Illustrated by Leo Espinosa. 2020. Random House. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Annalise Devin McFleece did not want to take a nap. She would fuss. She would fume. She would scream. She would shriek. But she would not ever--no, NEVER--take a nap. (Do you know anyone like that?)

Premise/plot: Annalise Devin McFleece stars in this oh-so-relatable picture book. It's a good example of what you see is what you get. When a book is titled NO MORE NAPS! parents know exactly what to expect. The cover pictures a defiant, cranky red-haired baby who looks ready to put up a fight. Nap time will not be easy today! No, today it will be an ordeal of sorts. A trial perhaps that all parents must undergo at some point.

The narrative is complex. This one is quite text-heavy. 

My thoughts: I loved this one. What I loved most about the book were the illustrations. They are perfectly perfectly perfect at capturing the emotions and tension. So much of the story can be communicated without the text just by reading the expressions on the faces of the parents, the baby, and the community! The narrative is complex--as I mentioned earlier--and perhaps a little bit too wordy. But it was still a delight--mostly. Not as magical as Janet Wong's Grump. Not as magical as Finn Throws a Fit. Not as magical as Lauren Child's I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go To Bed. But still a fun treat. 

Text: 4 out of 5

Illustrations: 5 out of 5

Total: 9 out of 10

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

49. Bittle

Bittle. Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan. Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. 2004. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book; animals; new babies]

First sentence: In a big yellow house lived a cat and a dog.

Premise/plot: Nigel (The cat) and Julia (The Dog) don’t quite know what to think about the new baby their humans bring home. The duo name the baby Bittle...and life will never be the same again.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. It is equal parts silly and sweet. The cat and dog are the parents doing all the hard work. Their hard work and love pay off when it comes to the baby’s first words.

I would definitely recommend this one. It would be great as a board book. It would be fun to have an adaptation of this as a cartoon.

It’s so good I can almost imagine Levar Burton narrating it.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Total:9/10


© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

4. This is Baby

This is Baby. Jimmy Fallon. Illustrated by Miguel Ordonez. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: This is BABY. Let’s laugh and play and sing! What are the parts of BABY? Well, I’ll tell you EVERYTHING.

Premise/plot: This is Baby is a picture book—not a board book. This “concept” book “teaches” the parts of baby: eyes, ears, nose, lips, hips, toes, knees, etc. It sometimes rhymes, but not always. It rhymes just often enough that you come to expect it, enough that when it doesn’t it’s weird.

My thoughts: I think this is a great example of an almost for me. I think it would make much more sense as a board book. The intended audience should be toddlers and very young preschoolers. This in board book or cloth could be one of the first books you share with a little one on your lap. As a picture book, it doesn’t work as well for that young audience. By the time little ones are ready for picture books the subject matter is too babyish. The text isn’t that charming and delightful that it carries over to an older crowd. Now adults may actually care that it is by Jimmy Fallon, but that’s the last thing little ones would care about.

I didn’t hate the text. I didn’t. But I just wish Fallon could have made up his mind if the book was going to rhyme or not. Either would work.

Text: 3/5
Illustrations:2/5
Total: 5/10



© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Berenstain Bears' New Baby

The Berenstain Bears' New Baby. Stan & Jan Berenstain. 1974. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Down a sunny dirt road, over a log bridge, up a grassy hill, deep in Bear Country, lived a family of bears--Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Small Bear. They lived in a large tree which Papa Bear had hollowed out and made into a house.

Premise/plot: Small Bear wakes up to discover that his once just-right bed is now too small. Papa Bear and Small Bear go out to the woods to chop down a tree to make a new just-right bed. Mama Bear--still silent--smiles contentedly as they go out for the day. But what will happen to Small Bear's bed?! Could Mama Bear have a secret?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. Sister Bear is adorable as a baby. This is an essential to read if you're going to read any of the books in the series.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Hooray for Babies

Hooray for Babies! Susan Meyers. Illustrated by Sue Cornelison. 2019. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

 First sentence: I'm glad that I'm a baby. I love my baby face. Two eyes, two ears, one mouth, one nose, each in the perfect place. I love my tickly baby toes, my fingers big and little. I love my baby belly. There's a button in the middle!

Premise/plot: Hooray for Babies is a rhyming picture book celebrating BABIES.

My thoughts: If you find babies irresistible, then you might love this book. The illustrations are cute, sweet, adorable, precious, delightful, lovely--the expected bunch of adjectives that like to hang around together in books for this age group. Some people love and adore cutey-cute books. Some people don't. There is much to love in this one. The illustrations. The cutesy text. (To name just two.) I personally liked this one. The pages showing off belly buttons is a special favorite of mine.

We're babies making baby friends.
We love to play together.
We take our turns.
We share our toys.
At least until we don't.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Who?

Who? A Celebration of Babies. Robie Harris. Illustrated by Natascha Rosenberg. 2018. Abrams. 20 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Who's that? A baby! Sweet baby! Nice baby! That's who! Who? Who's that? Dada! That's who! Who's that? Baby and Dada! That's who!

Premise/plot: This one is subtitled a CELEBRATION of babies. The book opens with A BABY and closes with BABIES. Whether singular or plural babies are SWEET and NICE. There is a LOT of repetition in this one. (I'm not just talking about the excessive amounts of exclamation points.) This one is all about answering the question WHO? It covers the many WHOs in a baby's life: Mama, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Kitty, Doggie, etc.

My thoughts: I liked it. It isn't the story of one baby in one family. It is the story of babies and families everywhere. A nice diverse offering for all little ones to enjoy.

I definitely liked it. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words

Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words. Dr. Seuss Enterprises. 2018. Random House. 16 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Premise/plot: Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words is a board book word book for little ones. It is an over-sized board book with sixteen pages. Each page has a theme: wild animals, farm animals, mealtime, food, outside, home, myself, toys, colors, things that go, clothes, pets, bathtime and bedtime. Each page is full of words and Seuss's illustrations.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I liked the illustrations. (Some I loved!) I liked the bright, bold colors. I liked the sturdy pages. Little Cats A, B, and C star in this one. I do wish that all three cats appeared on each two-page spread. Often two of the cats appear. It may be completely ridiculous, but why must one be lonely? Why choose Little Cats A, B, and C instead of Thing 1 and Thing 2 if only two were ever going to appear at the same time?!

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

People Don't Bite People

People Don't Bite People. Lisa Wheeler. Illustrated by Molly Schaar Idle. 2018. Simon & Schuster. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It's good to bite a carrot.
It's good to bite a steak.
It's BAD to bite your sister!
She's not a piece of cake.

Premise/plot: The title says it all. This rhyming picture book has a message--an agenda--one that we can all get behind. People don't bite people. People can and should use words to express their feelings. People can and should practice self-control.

My thoughts: I liked this one. It is thorough leaving no room for doubt. Brothers. Sisters. Mothers. Fathers. Friends. People. I liked the rhyming for the most part. Some of the rhymes were just fun!

People don't bite people.
You're not a zombie, dude!
A friend will never bite a friend.
Biting is for food!

People don't bite people!
It really isn't right.
But if their head is gingerbread....
go on and take a bite!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers