Just Like a Baby [Hardcover]

Rebecca Bond (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

When the family learns they are going to have a baby, they decide they need a cradle. After each member works on the gift, and the baby finally arrives, she sleeps in it "just like a baby." Color illustrations throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A first-time picture book author/artist presents a warm and loving family anticipating the arrival of a new baby. Father realizes the baby has nowhere to sleep, so he builds a cradle. Grandfather paints it, Grandmother makes a quilt for it, Brother creates a mobile to hang over itAthe project becomes a family affair. After completing his or her part, each member of the family takes a turn in the cradle and sleeps "just like a baby." Bond describes their contributions with a cumulative refrain that sets a leisurely pace ideal for bedtime fare. The artwork echoes the gentle repetition of the prose with recurring visual elements, from the small black dog who appears in each scene to geometric patterns or colors at play between flooring and clothing. Cheerful and snug, the acrylic illustrations play with perspective and brim with puckish touches, such as Grandma's bunny slippers and the teacups she leaves in her wake. The parting picture, viewed from above, shows the new baby reaping the benefits of her family's hard work, dog curled in a circle beside her; it may well lull readers themselves to sleep like a baby. A homespun heartwarmer. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K With a new baby on the way, Father decides to build a cradle. Each member of the family adds to the endeavor: a paint job by Grandfather, Grandmother's quilt, a mobile by Brother, and a view of the sky from Mother. One by one, with each new gift, the cradle beckons the giver so that everyone but Mother takes a turn sleeping in it. Finally, baby arrives and gets her turn, "And she slept just like a baby." This last line of the text, having been previously applied to each cradled character, has a satisfying resonance. The book conveys the idea that each of the individuals is part of a loving unit. The concept of everyone, young and old, sleeping in the baby's bed will surely elicit a chuckle from listeners. The repetition in the well-paced story is comforting and freeing and the cumulative component advances the plot without being heavy-handed. Reminiscent of the work of Kevin Hawkes, the illustrations are folksy, slightly skewed, and full of energy. The characters' faces have a contented glow, partly due to their ever-present smiles, but also as a result of their down-turned eyes, always focused on the cradle or new baby. There's a prevailing sense of containment and self-satisfaction and ultimately of a love that is great enough to encompass a new arrival. Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316104167
• ISBN-13: 978-0316104166
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book for reading to young children, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Like a Baby (Hardcover)

I'm buying a second copy as a gift. Lively illustrations, fun story. This will be read to our grand daughter over and over.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrations say it all!, August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Like a Baby (Hardcover)

I was delighted with the red-faced, charming characters in Rebecca Bond's first book. Her illustrations are bright and cheery. The story is sweet, a bedtime delight. I enjoyed this as much as my children. A must read for all little ones, and a perfect baby gift.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, Delightful, Delightful!, July 3, 2003

By 

"[e-mail]" (West Des Moines, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Like a Baby (Hardcover)

Anticipating the arrival of a baby is perhaps one of life's most treasured experiences -- for the young and old alike. Rebecca Bond captures the essence of the experience with captivating illustrations and a precious story of the whole extended family pitching in to make the baby's arrival a special one. I have taken to buying this book for the preschoolers in my life who are expecting a little brother or sister. This is the book my daughter, age 5, asks me to read to her more than any other. She and I are also enchanted with Ms. Bond's other two children's books. She is a relatively new author (with this being her first book), but I have a feeling (and I sure hope) we will be seeing much more of her writing in the years to come.