GO, BABY, GO!

A mother dressed in jogging togs sets off on her usual run with her baby safely secured in a stroller.

They run up and down hills, greet friends, and even jog in tandem with another parent and child, breezing merrily along. But when raindrops fall and dark clouds loom, they’re in a race against the storm. The pleasant outing becomes more of a runaway roller-coaster ride, with a slog through the mud. Nothing can stop this dynamic duo, however, and with plenty of effort and sure-footed determination, they manage to beat the worst of the storm home. But both need a long rest after all that exertion. Spare but enthusiastic prose (“Go, baby, go!”) laden with onomatopoeia (“Splitter, splatter,” “PLOP! PLOP! PLOP!”) effectively immerses youngsters in the outdoor setting while also making this tale a great read-aloud. The digital artwork is clean, crisp, and filled with motion; readers will feel as though they, too, are struggling up and down those hills, pushing a stroller with a mind of its own. The final page, with Mama and baby snuggled together on the bed, is warm and reassuring. The mother is light-skinned; her child is brown-skinned. The baby is delighted throughout the ride, never doubting that they’ll make it home safely.

Will make readers want to go, go, go!