Chuckling Ducklings and Baby Animal Friends

PreS—Large toddler-friendly illustrations and rhyming text picture and name 54 baby animals ranging from the familiar (puppy, kitten, fawn) to the unfamiliar (cria, eyas, puggle). However, despite the large variety of creatures, there is an uncanny similarity among them. Rounded square faces, each with a humanlike countenance, smile at readers. On one spread, the goat kid and the human "kid" look amazingly alike. Other animals are even more difficult to discern one from another. A helpful pictorial spread at the conclusion of the book identifies each animal and matches it to its baby name. Although the artistic style doesn't lend itself to scientific identification, children will find the colored pencil drawings likable. The verse moves readers from page to page with just enough text to keep young listeners happy.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH