A Band of Babies
Carole Gerber, Author
Jane Dyer, Illustrator
Harper Collins, Fiction, Jun. 6, 2017
Suitable for Ages: 2-5
Themes: Toddlers, Music, Social Skills, Rhyme
Opening: “Play-group morning. Babies fret — not sure what to do just yet. In struts Benny — new in town. Babies’ frowns turn upside down.”
Synopsis: It was just an ordinary day at daycare…until Benny arrived. Benny is ready for action. He spies a box with drums and sticks. With a flute in hand, the fun begins as babies follow Benny out the door beating on their drums as they march down the street. He teaches all the babies how to put on a show. Toot! Whee! This is one musical band of babies you’ll have to see! This musical journey will have readers of all ages snapping their fingers and tapping their toes!
Why I like this book:
Carole Gerber has written a lively and humorous story for toddlers. Her rhyming and minimal text flows nicely and mimics toddler gibberish! Babies hungry, want to eat. / “Walk!” says Benny. / “Find a treat.” She also uses a lot of fun words and sounds, that give Jane Dyer’s joyful color-pencil illustrations time to deliver their funny response. The facial expressions are priceless. This band of babies will charm you from the first spread to the last — and create a little mayhem in between. This book is the perfect bedtime read, as parents and toddlers giggle at the antics of this fun-loving band of musical babies.
Carole Gerber is a poet and author of nearly two dozen books for children. Carole has also spent time as an English teacher, a journalism professor, a marketing director, a magazine editor, and a creative ad agency team member. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, To learn more about Carole Gerber, visit her website.
Resources: Children love to play with musical instruments. Put a tub with drums, a flutophone, a kazoo, a harmonica, old pots and pans, and spoons. It may get noisy, but your kids will enjoy expressing themselves as the dance and march around the room.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*The author provided me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
So Sweet!!!
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It is an adorable story. Perfect for toddlers.
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Sounds like a sweet book!
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It is a sweet book. I love the rhythm and gorgeous illustrations!
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Sounds raucous and fun.
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It is an entertaining book to share with toddlers and young children.
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Thanks for your lovely review, Patricia. Your synopsis is spot-on. I love these babies – , especially Benny – that Jane Dyer so skillfully and joyfully brought to life. Whee!
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I am so pleased that you liked my review! I can tell you love these babies. You really feel the joy in the text and artwork!
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Oh my goodness. This looks adorable! This might be the perfect gift for my toddler niece.
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It is adorable and it will make a perfect gift. I plan to give several copies as gifts to new mothers.
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What a fun inspiration for a picture book for little ones! The opening stanza you shared is lively, moves quickly, and offers plenty of page-turning curiosity! I’m adding this one to my library list. Thanks for another wonderful book review.
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You can tell how much the author loves her band of babies. Such a clever and entertaing story.
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Pat, this looks like a fun book. I’ll have to check it out at the library.
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It certainly is a keeper. Hope you love it as much as I do.
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A book like this would make a perfect baby gift. I love giving books to newborns to start their library.
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Me too! And this is the perfect baby gift book!
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Such an upbeat book! I love the illustrations!
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The illustrations really make this story a stand-out book. I love the entire package!
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Patricia, this book looks adorable. What fun to read to little ones. It makes me think of Pamela Allen’s Bertie and the Bear, another musical story.
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I am so delighted you like this charming book. Am not familiar with Bertie and the Bear. Will have to check it out. Thank you!
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Isn’t it great to share a love of picture books, and be able to share our favourites with each other. 🙂
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Looks like fun!
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It’s entertaining book for parents to read to their little ones!
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I love the idea of marching to the poetic beat in the book. I wonder if she suggests music. I used to give my little boys saucepan lids and a wooden dowel to beat to music I could put on. Last week I read to some children and then we marched with rhythm instruments around the room. It is still fun at 81! I am going on a long trip away from the computer so will unsubscribe until December 1st. I love your book choices and will return to you later.
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I love your comment about still enjoy marching around the room with children with rhythm instruments. I think pans, lids and wooden dowels are perfect and creative for kids. Thank you for your lovely comments and for following my website. I hope you return.
Just checked out your website and commented on your upcoming visit to a girl’s school in Uganda! What an experience!
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Love the illustrations. They’re so Old School.
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Yes, they do have an old school look to them. The illustrations are large and convey so much action.
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