Customer Reviews

Just Like a Baby

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They say that babies are egocentric little balls of hedonism, with no perspective-taking ability until much older. Well, author Juanita Havill and illustrator Christine Davenier show that adults share that dubious distinction, especially when confronted with someone else's baby.

At first, relatives and friends politely line up outside the baby's room like a crowd waiting for an audience with a king. THis deference is lost once inside baby Ellen's room. Yes, there's oohing and awwwing, but the baby-struck admiration soon turns into a very humorous display of narcissism:

"You'll be a scholar,"said Aunt Rachel. "You'll master Sanscrit and Javascript, Greek and Chinese, ponder scrolls and Web sites, just like me."

You'll drive a truck," said Aunt THelma. "Rumble, rumble in your rig, cruisin' the heartland, uphill and downhill, easy on the breaks, like me"
Ellen snoozed away.

Soon everyone is shouting their prognostications, all of which uncannily (or not) predict that Ellen will become just like the speaker. Only Papa, Mama, and Ellen herself seem to have the right perspective on things: As Mama puts it, "For now, Ellen will do just what Ellen wants." THis quiets the relatives, who finally realize that their ambitions are really their own, and that "burbling and cooing, sucking and burping, babbling and yawning, sleeping, and even yowling are all fine things to do.... [turn the page] ...if you're a baby, just like Ellen.

And at this point, the last two-page spread of the book, we finally see baby ELlen in full view.

This is a wonderful book that pokes some gentle fun at the excesses of well-meaning baby fanatics, and, with more subtlety (and no preaching) at a culture that sometimes emphasizes achievement from the get-go. It's mild satire, not at all mean-spirited, because the exaggeration is played for laughs, and because the admirers eventaully come to their senses.

The watercolor and pen illustrations are fabulous, delightful swirls of line and unexpected color, adding character and excitement to a one-scene (i.e., the nursury) setting. Davenier's imaginative use of color and detail make every person unique, and humanize the cascade of destinies thrown at the baby.

In short, this is a very well-written, funny, and superbly illustrated book that parents and baby-curious kids will enjoy. Havill (who has authored more than 30 books for kids and youngsters) and Davenier also collaborated on "I Heard it From Alice Zucchini," a book I look forward to reading.

This is my new go-to gift for friends welcoming new babies to their families. It offers a poignant message and breathtaking artwork. Add it to your (or a friend's) library!