MOMMY SNUGGLES

Across the animal kingdom parents and their babies share a tender bond.

Different mother animals are shown caring for their young ones by carrying them around. But of course each mother does it her way: “Mommy tiger walks with her cub / in her mouth.” And “Mommy swan glides with her cygnet / under her wing.” Even the way the different animals move is particular: “walk,” “glide,” “climb,” “waddle,” “jump,” “float.” Each baby also has its own name: “cub,” “cygnet,” “joey,” “chick,” “pup.” The message is simple and the vocabulary rich. Hallensleben’s illustrations done with thick brush strokes and rich colors neatly complement the warm and straightforward message. And what about human babies? A white mother is shown holding her baby in her arms. The companion volume, Daddy Dreams, shows different animal daddies as they dream observed by their young ones. Here too, vocabulary-rich yet simple sentences go along with the warmly colored illustrations. “Daddy bat dreams / upside down.” And “Daddy flamingo / dreams on one leg.” The other animals that make an appearance are a lion, a horse, a turtle, a porcupine, and, naturally, a human. How does the brown-skinned human daddy dream? “…next to me!”

Delightfully simple and spot-on.