Behold! A Baby

*Here's a not-so-subtle hint for why I've had sporadic posting this last week...and more sporadic postings to come. Hopefully I'll get back on track soon!*

Behold! A Baby
Written by Stephanie Watson, illustrated by Joy Ang

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1619634527
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date of publication: June 2, 2015
Age: 3 - 8 years

Themes: new sibling, baby, showcase, family relationships

Step right up! See one of the most stupendous wonders of the world! A loving father reveals a baby's fantastic feats (smiling, eating a banana, babbling) that cause adults to go insane with joy and wonder. The only audience member who remains unimpressed? His big brother.

Here is a positively adorable book on the ever-so-popular topic of new-sibling-hood. I'm sure many older siblings can relate to the feeling that their parents only ever "Ooo" and "Ahh" over the new baby. While this book exaggerates that feeling quite a bit, it also makes it more fun and humorous for the reader. Both parents and kids will enjoy it.

Do you know what's even more adorable? Ang's illustrations. Granted, the star baby does not have a mustache this time around, but I still love her depictions. She really captures that oh-my-gosh-it's-SO-CUTE feeling that some people get around infants. Overall, an adorable book with a cute ending and I think I'll just say it's cutely adorable one more time. Ha!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Mustache Baby Meets His Match

Mustache Baby Meets His Match
Written by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Joy Ang

My rating: ★★★★★

ISBN: 978-0544363755
Publisher: Clarion Books
Date of publication: March 3, 2015
Age: 4 years and up

Themes: good guy/bad guy, friendship, competition, facial hair

Baby Billy was born with a mustache. But Baby Javier, the new baby in town, was born with a beard. When Baby Javier comes over for a playdate, Baby Billy tries to show him a thing or two—but it quickly becomes a competition of manliness! Has Mustache Baby met his match? Or will the two remember the real point of a playdate?

This book is so amazing, I want to do a whole storytime just for mustaches and beards. Yes, I love the book that much. The first book, Mustache Baby, was good, but this just takes is up to a whole new level! Again, there's the hilarious character plays behind each style of mustache, but now throw in a beard and it gets that much better. Also, it still has the sentimental side where two kids are learning how to become friends. The illustrations? This book would not be what it is without them. For instance:

It's not just two babies trying to one-up each other over art. Oh no. That's Dali and Van Gogh. And that's why this book is good for all ages. There's so many subtle little jokes in the illustrations! I love it. I love that it's hilarious, clever, sentimental, and well-done. I highly recommend it, even if you haven't read the first.

Find it at your library or on Amazon