SMILE, LILY!
by Candace Fleming & illustrated by Yumi Heo
Readers from young children to grandparents will appreciate the frustration felt by Lily’s family in Fleming’s lyrical journey into what makes a baby tick. The tale begins when “Lily wakes up crying. / Waa! Waa! Waa! / Lily wakes up crying. / Oh, who knows what to do?” This plea repeats throughout, as each family member offers to soothe the seemingly inconsolable infant. Mommy sings a lullaby, but is unsuccessful. Daddy’s attempt to play “Superbaby” ends in failure. A clean diaper from Grandma and peek-a-boo with uncle are unable to quell the wailing. When panic starts to set in, big brother’s simple solution saves the day, making this a perfect read for new older siblings. Heo’s fun, fanciful, flat, and folksy artwork provides bright colors and unique perspectives. One especially amusing picture shows an enormous crying Lily surrounded by tiny worried adults, beautifully illustrating that babies truly are the center of their universe. (Picture book. 2-5)