________________ CM . . . . Volume XI Number 9 . . . .January 7, 2005

cover

What Will We Do With the Baby-o?

Theo Heras. Illustrated by Jennifer Herbert.
Toronto, ON: Tundra, 2004.
32 pp., cloth, $18.99.
ISBN 0-88776-689-7.

Subject Heading:
Children's songs, English

Birth-kindergarten / Age newborn-5.

Review by Catherine Hoyt.

**** /4

   

excerpt:

Little, Tiny Baby Mousey
Little, tiny baby mousey,
From the barny to the housey,
In the pantry, under the shelf,
Found some cheese and helped himself!

As you sing, walk two fingers up baby's arm.
On the last line, tickle under baby's arm or chin.

 

What Will We Do With the Baby-o? consists of ten rhymes and songs selected by well-known children's librarian Theo Heras. Each selection is accompanied by simple instructions to help parents/adults interact with their children. The music for these selections is included at back of the book. This picture book format is a nice change from the many larger digest formats available.

     As a one-time children's librarian and a new parent, I thoroughly enjoyed this collaboration. The mix of traditional pieces such as "Hush Little Baby" and more recent selections, like "Jig Along Home," will provide most readers with comfortable familiarity while possibly introducing some new rhymes and songs. Through my work with parents, it is clear that many are uncomfortable when it comes to singing to their children and would welcome Heras' simple suggestions on how to use these pieces with their babies.

     Jennifer Hebert's vibrant cartoon watercolour and gouache illustrations on a watercolour block will appeal to young children. The illustrations are light hearted and complementary to the pieces chosen.

     I would recommend What Will We Do With the Baby-o? to parents and as a purchase for public libraries. This title is also a nice choice for gift giving, especially for new parents.

Highly Recommended.

Catherine Hoyt is the Public Services Librarian for the York Library Region in the province of New Brunswick. Catherine is currently on maternity leave with first child, Lena Anne.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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