WE’VE ALL GOT BELLYBUTTONS!
by David Martin & illustrated by Randy Cecil
Mammal babies and their families show what they can do with various body parts—ears, hands, necks, and feet—and invite children to play along in Martin’s latest effort. “We’ve got hands, and you do too. / We can clap them. / Can you?” Here, long-limbed primates applaud as they hang out in a tree. Cecil’s full-bleed spread, rendered in oil, is lighted with sunset colors—purple boughs with violet leaves, a glowing gold and umber sky—creating a warm and friendly tone. A cross-hatched pattern adds depth and texture. Aiming at a very young audience, there’s no attempt to explain why “we’ve all got bellybuttons,” but the similarity to elephants, hippos, zebras, and giraffes might intrigue. With its interactive element, and a tickle-inducing ending, Martin’s predictable text will please young listeners. (Picture book. 4-8)