Step by step

Baby-Toddler--Sweet diapered baby animals with huge eyes illustrate the process of learning how to walk. "[Y]ou will first have to learn how to get up…lift your head first…the first time you stand up you will still be a little wobbly…." After the many steps of cruising on furniture, standing unassisted, and walking with the help of a parent, on each page the little ones get closer to independent walking (with the inevitable ups and downs). The last page shows a happy toddler taking a step, eager to explore. The adorable illustrations feature colorful patterns set against ample white backgrounds, with a different animal for each action, fittingly accompanied by simple text conveying an encouraging positive message. VERDICT A perfect book for sharing with caregivers of babies and toddlers who might be taking their first steps, too.--Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Lib., Boston Univ.

Learning to walk is an overwhelming and exciting step for little humans and animals alike! Babies' adorable, tottering first steps are a milestone for a reason: It's a big move toward independence! This sweet, slightly oversized board book captures the energy of that process along with the uncertainty, dedication, and, yes, the falls required to learn. Featuring a variety of oversized baby animals with giant heads and expressive eyes and clad in adorably patterned diapers, the simple cartoon illustrations sit against plentiful white space. A lightly saturated palette puts the speckled elephant, stripey mouse, or peachy piglet on full display, and the lack of discrete outlines makes the animals look appropriately babylike. An omniscient narrator speaks directly to the animals in the book but also to readers who are mastering this skill alongside them. Always wise and reassuring, the narrator describes the usual process, starting with "lift[ing] up your head first," using a sofa to steady, then standing "for almost ten seconds." The animals go "thud!" or "thump!" but the narrator is matter-of-fact and encouraging about that part too, and the warm reminders that "that's okay" are steadying. After plenty of practice, the book culminates with a human child with beige skin and black hair successfully toddling along, walking "further and further and further." Endearing and just right for little ones trying out their own first steps. (Board book. 1-3) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.