The Baby's Book of Baby Animals

In this sweetly appealing book, Kay Charao has collected and illustrated classic nursery rhymes, songs, quotes and poems all centered around the theme of baby animals. We begin with William Shakespeare, "A star danced/ and under that/ was I born" and end with "I see the moon/ And the moon sees me;/ God bless the moon,/ And God bless me." In between Charao has included a delightful mix of well-known favorites such as the "Three Little Kittens" and some not-so-well-known but equally appealing texts such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Cradle Song." The illustrations are done in colored pencil and watercolors. Kittens, piglets, bears, bunnies, mice, birds, and more bound across double-page spreads. Each captures perfectly the text and are chock-full of small details that readers and listeners will want to linger over. This delightful book is a true visual and verbal celebration. Classroom uses are many: storytelling, one-on-one reading, phonemic awareness, theme material, visual literacy, and more. Don't miss this one!Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff