Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World. [Paperback]

Simon James (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Baby Brains

"Boastful parents who can laugh at themselves, as well as their cherished offspring, will find abundant chuckles in these pages." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

It’s never too early to start bringing up the smartest baby in the whole world. So thinks the expectant Mrs. Brains, who reads to the baby
inside her tummy every night and plays music and language tapes to her baby during the day. And soon enough, Mr. and Mrs. Brains have their very own Baby Brains! He reads the paper, fixes the family car, and works as a doctor in the local hospital. Now even the space program is calling on him. Is there anything Baby Brains can’t do?

An International Reading Association Children’s Choice

A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection

A HORN BOOK Fanfare Selection

A Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List Selection

An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Four starred reviews (BOOKLIST, BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 1–Mr. and Mrs. Brains "wanted to make sure their baby was going to be very smart," so they read aloud, played music and languages, and turned up the news for the child in Mrs. Brains's tummy. Sure enough, Baby Brains is discovered reading the newspaper on his very first morning at home. He attends school the following day, announcing his desire to study medicine. In just two weeks, he begins his medical practice and is discovered by the press. When scientists invite him to join their next mission, the world watches as he walks in space. But he reacts to the immensity of space as any infant astronaut might, by wailing to Ground Control, "I want my mommy!" He's rushed home to hugs, warm baths, tickles, lullabies, and the life of a pretty normal infant–except on weekends, when "he still liked to help out at the local hospital." Beginning with the diaper-clad tot perusing a stack of books on the title page and closing with him at his laptop wearing his onesie, this tongue-in-cheek tale will tickle the funny bones of young listeners. The loose and playful lines of the watercolor-and-ink illustrations are used judiciously and to great effect; this economy applies as well to the carefully controlled and well-paced text. The perplexed and awed adults and the absurdly competent baby are perfectly silly and delightful. From the far reaches of space to the snuggly warmth of his welcome home, readers will enjoy the adventures of "the smartest baby in the whole world."–Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 3. A certain wry humor underlies the story of "the smartest baby in the whole world." Mr and Mrs. Brains stimulate their unborn infant's intelligence by reading aloud, playing music, and turning up the volume for the news. Their plan succeeds so brilliantly that, only days after his birth, Baby Brains is reading the newspaper, fixing the car, and noting, "I'd like to go to school tomorrow." Within weeks he has completed medical school and is performing operations. From there to outer space is a small step for Baby Brains, but after an experience during a space walk, he chooses the path more traveled. From Dear Mr. Blueberry (1991) to Little One Step (2003), James' picture books tell simple stories with sensitivity and gentle humor. Another writer might have turned this into a cautionary tale for parents, but James keeps his child audience in mind. Baby Brains is no brat but a likable Everybaby who excels to stratospheric levels but returns to Earth. Restrained in color and line, the expressive illustrations are deft ink drawings tinted with sunny hues and often surrounded by plenty of white space. With its comical concept, eye-catching jacket, and appealing artwork, this picture book is one that both children and adults will be telling their friends about. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763636827
• ISBN-13: 978-0763636821
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.2 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #628,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars we read this book at school and it was really good, December 20, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World. (Hardcover)

The librairian at my school read this book to us and we were all really laughing. Baby brains is such a cute baby and so silly. It's about a baby who is so smart he goes to school when he is just a day old. He can read and is a doctor and even decides to be an astronaut. There is a surprise at the end too so I won't tell you too much about that. You should get this book for your kids they will love it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Recommendation for this book, April 28, 2005

By 

Bryan "Bryan" (Tampa , FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World. (Hardcover)

Baby brains is a very cute book ....My son is 2 years old and loves us to read it to him multiple times......it has just the right amount of words to keep you and your child interested. you won't be sorry for buying this book.

Bryan

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny!!!!, September 28, 2004

By 

Eddie's Mom "Proud Member Reality-Based Commu... (Greenpoint, Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World. (Hardcover)

My husband and I are new to the world of children's books (we have a 7 month-old) but we love this book! It is definitely one that parents can enjoy. The pictures are great.