Beastly Babies

PreS-Gr 2—All kinds of babies appear in this cheerful tribute to mothers and their children. From a human infant to a newborn sloth, all of the babies have one thing in common; they are loved unconditionally by their mothers. Told in rhyming verse, the story showcases sea creatures, barnyard animals, African fauna, and household pets. All of the beastly babies are "Making mischief/having fun,/each is precious/every one." Tipping her hat to the circle of life, Jackson ends the narrative by observing that when the little ones grow up, they will be blessed with "beastly babies of their own." Drawn with bold lines and bright colors, the mixed-media illustrations add a sense of wonder to the story. The wide-eyed animals cavort, splash, and charge across the pages in a swirl of joyous activity. Share with fans of Marion Dane Bauer's My Mother Is Mine (S. & S., 2009), which is told from the youngster's point of view.