Babies Don't Walk They Ride

Delectable infants grace the pages of this lovely book as they are pushed, shoulder ride, glide, stroll (in their buggies of course), roll in trolleys (and other things), go bumping in buses, charge charioteer-like and even fly sometimes; all courtesy of their parents, carers, siblings and very likely, grandparents and other willing movers and shakers, all of whom huggle and cuddle, and sing to their charges. And those babes if only they could, would join in the chorus of "Babies don't walk they ride!' What a joyful time is had by all - readers, listeners and of course, those infants and those who care for them in this gorgeously illustrated, rhyming parade of perambulations. A great partnership and a 'read over-and over'-production for the very young and all their adult minders. One (or more) to give and one to keep, I'd say. -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
Who needs to walk when grown-ups and big brothers and sisters exist? A slew of babies from a wide variety of ethnicities are represented in this charming text that sings the praises of the stroller, the baby wrap, the shopping cart, and the bicycle carrier-the list is long and varied. "Babies don't walk, they ride!" is the refrain of the story, and it is a gleeful one at that. Tobia's happy mixed-media artwork beautifully showcases the many vehicles that transport babies all around town, whether the infants are joining their caregivers on crowded train cars, bustling and bumping, or "charging along like charioteers" through the park with big brother pushing a stroller. The illustrations capture the frenetic energy that often accompanies families with babies on the move, and Henderson's gentle text is quiet yet descriptive next to the artwork. VERDICT Babies and their grown-ups will highly enjoy rereadings of this ride. -- Lisa Kropp * School Library Jpurnal *