MOMMY, MOMMY, WHAT’S IN YOUR TUMMY?

The glut of new-baby picture books intended for the four-and-older set often leaves parents of younger children scrambling to find appropriate fare. This British import seeks to fill that need, combining the unexpected surprises lurking in a mommy’s tummy with all the fun of lift-the-flap books. Rather than display the baby at various stages of its growth, however, rhyming text displays various guesses as to what lurks in mommy’s midriff. One guess is, “A round red balloon?” followed by, “Is there enough room?” when the flap is lifted to reveal the object floating in mommy’s bulging middle. The final flap reveals the true denizen of the tummy with, “It’s our new baby!” West’s brightly colored pictures, presenting a series of tummies clad in a variety of maternity tops, accompany the bouncy, sometimes oddly chosen text. A tad confusing for the smallest of small fry, but kids who already understand what’s actually in mommy’s tum are sure to enjoy this interactive guessing game of the maternal persuasion. (Picture book. 2-5)