A Baby Like You

August 15, 2019
Animal babies are compared with human babies through selected facts and full-page photos. Sibert Medalist Thimmesh (Team Moon, 2006) explores the similarities and differences in how human and animal babies do things like eat, walk, learn, and play. On each two-page spread, the narrative portion is set in large, bold type while below it in a smaller font is a specific fact relating to the featured baby. Because the narrative portions run across several page turns, the informational pieces--which serve as asides--disrupt the flow. This issue is mitigated a bit by Thimmesh's use of the same refrain to begin each new topic: "Each new day, in different ways, a baby like you" signals readers to resume the pace. The informational asides about animals are concise and high interest, and while the human facts will be familiar to adult readers, younger readers are likely to learn something new. The photography is gorgeous, with fuzzy, adorable animal babies and diverse, equally cute human ones. Though this book is addressed to a baby, they are not the appropriate audience. This one is best read to preschoolers who can appreciate the book's length and details. The phrase "a baby like you" may be a misfit, but the past-tense descriptions of things babies do (like learning to walk) make sense for older readers. Interesting animal facts and beautiful photographs, but despite the title, best suited to preschoolers (who will love it). (Picture book. 3-5)

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Starred review from November 1, 2019

Toddler-PreS-Sweet photographs of baby animals and information about them and their development are compared to and contrasted with human infants. The various topics begin with the same refrain: "Each new day, in different ways, a baby like you..." and continue with information on how an animal and a human are born, carried, eat, bathe, play, learn, and begin to walk. Major milestones are covered and photographed in endearing full-color close-ups and feature children of different races. The animals mentioned include hippos, lions, penguins, elephants, orangutans, and otters. Two fox kits play together, a zebra foal takes its first steps, and a polar bear cub grabs hold of its feet and rolls in the snow. Humans and animals have much in common in their early developmental stages and children will be interested in finding out just how similar they are to certain animals while learning about the important differences. VERDICT Babies love babies. Babies love animals. Babies love learning about the world. This irresistible book has it all.-Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2019
Preschool-K Full-page, color photographs pair with lively text and fact asides to showcase various commonalities and contrasts between human and animal baby characteristics. A photo of an adult and baby penguin says, Each new day, in different ways, / a baby like you eats . . . / gobbling treats . . . straight from Mama's or / Papa's mouth. Next, a close-up of a human baby with a bottle accompanies, Instead, you slurped milk from / bottle or breast. This format, along with the warm refrains, provides continuity throughout: focusing on animal babies first and human babies next, Thimmesh highlights birth, bathing, first steps, and more. Though some vocabulary and facts might need additional explanation and suggest a slightly older audience than might be expected for a book directly addressing babies, the photos of adorable baby animals and diverse infant humans are certainly eye-catching. Still, Sibert-medalist Thimmesh offers much to engage a wide audience with information pitched to a variety of reading levels, which might give this wider appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)