From Publishers Weekly
Baicker's first book bursts with the endless exuberance of toddlerhood, from wake-up ("I am awake!/ I'm awake all the way./ Waked up to stay up/ and wake up the day!") to snuggle-down. Invitingly designed-thanks to Williams's (Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck) ingenuity-to resemble a play in three acts, the volume opens with stage curtains parted to reveal a bombardment of babies, bear cubs, bunnies and balls in stripes, stars and nursery colors, indicating wake-up and playtime. A stage brimming with dancing cups, a bowl filled with babies of all skin tones and giant flying spoons starts the mealtime-themed second act; and winged cherubs and infants tucked into pea pods help the audience wind down. Williams begins with the image of a toddler waking his or her human mother and ends with a human mother nestling her child at bedtime, but the intervening pages picture babies gallivanting with bears and bunnies. A classic game to get baby to eat, for instance, becomes fodder for a wild fantasy: "Toot toot!/ Choo-choo/ Coming down/ the track,/ Pretzel, cracker/ tummy packer/ bringing me my snack" accompanies an animated freight train as it delivers fruits and other goodies. Baicker's joyful wordplay combined with Williams's imaginative spreads ensure that toddlers will plead for repeat performances. Ages 1-4.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Cuddly animals and a parade of appealing toddlers bounce their way through playtime, lunch, and bedtime in a lively presentation. Full of playful and rhythmic imagery, the text is just right for reading aloud: "Giggle greens and silly beans/jump up to the sky,/Dance and tumble,/apple crumble, fill-my-belly pie." Occasionally, readers have to work a bit to get the meter just right, but for the most part, the words flow easily. Buoyant illustrations bring in playful teddy bears, elephants, and other animals that join various children in the activities. Soft-focus outlines, rounded shapes, and bright, but gentle colors create a warm and engaging fantasy world. Each of the three sections is introduced with a full-color spread, complete with theater curtains that effectively announce the changing scenes. The rest of the illustrations are set off neatly against white background, with varied layouts and text placements that match the energy of the story. In the third part, "Snuggle Me Snuggly," the previously animated figures become more settled and peaceful, as the rhyme winds down to bedtime. The sense of fun and imagination shown by both author and artist should guarantee an appreciative audience.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, ORCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
