THE BABY'S GAME BOOK

Wilner’s (The Poetry Troupe, not reviewed) collection of games, especially for baby, engages children’s entire being, from the top of their fuzzy little heads to the tips of their tiny toes, in loving play. In a special foreword to parents and caregivers, the author stresses that the purpose of play with baby is to interact with the child rather than whether to play the game correctly. Over 30 different rhymes are included in the text, stimulating a variety of baby’s senses and providing a gentle introduction to language. There are rhymes focusing on baby’s fingers and toes, activities that identify the parts of baby’s face and even a counting game that introduces the days of the week and the numbers one through ten. Ride-along games, like “This Is the Way Ladies Ride,” and an assortment of tickle games are sure to generate lots of toothless grins. Some activities are classic and familiar, such as “Peek-a-boo” and “Pat-a-cake.” Others are new adaptations of an older game, e.g., “The Love Game” uses arm motions to indicate how much you love baby, much like the traditional “How Big Is Baby” game. Williams’s (Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck, 2000) delicately hued watercolors are a vital part of the book’s appeal and success. Each rhyme comprises either a full-page or two-page spread, with accompanying illustrations. The soft pastel drawings are a mixture of form and function; whimsical scenes entertain while offering possibilities on how to execute the activities. A multicultural assortment of round-headed infants with sweet little smiles peer out of the pages. A winsome treasury of games that reinforce the bonds of love between parent and child. (author’s note) (Picture book. 0-2)