Guess the Baby [Audiobook] [Hardcover]

Simon French (Author), Donna Rawlins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

After Sam’s baby brother visits Mr. Judd’s class, all the children bring their baby pictures to school and have a good time guessing which is whose. But there’s still one picture left over. . . . It’s Mr. Judd! Now the children can imagine their teacher as a baby (complete with mustache). The idea that everyone starts out as a baby—and that babies and kids become grownups—is conveyed with a light touch in this sprightly school story, which acknowledges young children’s fascination with babies and with the idea that even the most revered grownups used to wear diapers. Readers will want to play “Guess the Baby” in their own classrooms.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A class of young schoolchildren learns a spirited lesson about growing up, creatively delivered by Australian author French, a former kindergarten teacher with an insightful grasp of this age group's questioning minds. When Sam brings his infant brother to school for Show and Tell, the teacher, Mr. Judd, reminds the incredulous class that they, too, were once babies. The students bring in their baby pictures and create a photo gallery, rendered in endearing detail by Rawlins (My Place), and then engage in a game of who's who, matching the baby to the classmate ("We guessed Sacha, because he still has the same smile. And Mara, because her hair is as orange as oranges"). Rawlins offers visual clues-Tess wears her hair the same way she did as an infant; Braydon bares his belly, just as he does in his baby photo-and Mr. Judd gives hints for the "tricky ones." But one photograph remains a mystery-who is that sailor-suited cutie? When the class realizes it's Mr. Judd, the children plunge into a pastel-colored reverie, imagining their mustachioed teacher as a baby (complete with facial hair). The children's excitement about this revelation ("Mr. Judd used to eat mushy food,"; "Mr. Judd used to have yucky diapers") drives home French's simple message that "even grownups were babies once." For every child who's ever asked the question, "Was I a baby?" this book is a delightful answer. Ages 4-6.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-When Sam takes his baby brother to school, the other students and their teacher are delighted. The class watches as Jake is fed and bathed by his mother. Then they talk about things babies do and what they need. This prompts Mr. Judd to request that they all bring a photo of themselves as babies, and a game of who's who follows. The easy-to-read text and warm, lively illustrations depict a frolicsome, multicultural cast of youngsters; the colorful spread of their pictures as babies is particularly engaging. Creative and hip Mr. Judd is a teacher with pizzazz.
Leslie Barban, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (October 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618259899
• ISBN-13: 978-0618259892
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,959,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Play the "Guess the Baby" Game!, November 8, 2004

By 

Aunt Kiki (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guess the Baby (Hardcover)

In a twist on the many wacky things kids bring to "show and tell" at school, Sam brings his baby brother in this charming tale. This prompts amusing lessons that help the students understand and empathize with their younger siblings, including the surprising "discovery" that they were all babies once. Being a "big kid" starts looking particularly good when compared babyhood. But, the fun really gets going when the class plays the "Guess the Baby" game - a game in which the reader can play along. Each student brings a photograph of him or herself as a baby. The teacher collects and displays the baby pictures and the students try to match them to proper "big kid." With childlike, naïve acrylic gouche and colored pencil illustrations, Rawlins adds warmth and spirit to the story. She also provides some of the most important visual clues to assist the reader playing the "Guess the Baby" photo game - i.e., the class is multi-cultural and some of the children have special traits and features. Highly recommended for ages 3 to 8.

5.0 out of 5 stars great story, March 4, 2010

By 

nodsu - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Guess the Baby (Hardcover)

makes kids think about features and pay attention to details. my 4 yo liked that book