Karen Baicker

"Is there anything so heady or contagious as the shiny, new confidence of a child who has freshly mastered the everyday, but oh-so-difficult? No matter that a few drops of juice miss the glass, or that her buttons are a bit askew, the lively little heroine of this satisfying story absolutely exudes positivity and innocent pride in newly-acquired skills. With bright, broad, touch-me artwork and easy-on-the-ears rhyming text, Wilson-Max and Baicker conspire to communicate, most successfully, show more the infectious exuberance of their cake-baking (okay, batter-testing), trike-riding young subject. (P.S. Thanks for the helmet.) This sturdy cardstock offering has plenty of finger-paint child appeal: each carefully composed page depicts the earnest little girl’s effort to replicate the activity of a nearby friend or family member, and artfully integrated, actively designed type swings and sings and whooshes across paintings that pronounce her hard-won self-assurance with a boldly saturated palette. Physical skills are not the only kind in focus here, for a happy contagion of kindness is also afoot. The support of her family and congenial companions has the very finest of effects, and best of all, at the end of it all, is our little heroine’s unspoiled and generous display of encouragement for one even smaller than she. (Picture book. 1½-4)" www.kirkusreviews.com show less

[This review was previously published. It has been edited and rewritten.]

These are my newest, most favorite board books! In the first story, an exuberant little girl carefully demonstrates her many exciting new skills, one for each member of the family. She pours juice like Dad, gets dressed all by herself like big sister, makes cakes like Grandma, and finally celebrates her baby brother's new independence with the rest of her family.

In the second story, the same little girl takes her role show more as big sister seriously as she role models fun skills for her baby brother, from playing drums with the pots and pans, to painting and going down the slide. The story finishes with the delighted baby brother finding something he can teach his big sister how to do!

These board books are nice and sturdy and a lovely oversized shape, approximately 8 by 8 inches. The rhyming text is perfect for small children, encouraging them to try their own new things and enjoy the simple humor and overflowing happiness and love of the families in these stories. The illustrator's art is vibrant and splashy, with simple lines that even younger children can follow and a few small details for older listeners.

These are great toddler story time read-alouds, great for parents to read with their little ones, and would also be absolutely perfect for older siblings to read to their baby brothers and sisters, or for a family to enjoy together, trying out the different activities.

Verdict: Highly recommended for your board book section. I'm so pleased I purchased these and we've had years of love for them.

I can do it
ISBN: 978-0811875608; Published June 2010 by Handprint Books; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library.

You can do it
ISBN:978-0811875615; Published June 2010 by Handprint Books; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library. show less

[This review was previously published. It has been edited and rewritten.]

These are my newest, most favorite board books! In the first story, an exuberant little girl carefully demonstrates her many exciting new skills, one for each member of the family. She pours juice like Dad, gets dressed all by herself like big sister, makes cakes like Grandma, and finally celebrates her baby brother's new independence with the rest of her family.

In the second story, the same little girl takes her role show more as big sister seriously as she role models fun skills for her baby brother, from playing drums with the pots and pans, to painting and going down the slide. The story finishes with the delighted baby brother finding something he can teach his big sister how to do!

These board books are nice and sturdy and a lovely oversized shape, approximately 8 by 8 inches. The rhyming text is perfect for small children, encouraging them to try their own new things and enjoy the simple humor and overflowing happiness and love of the families in these stories. The illustrator's art is vibrant and splashy, with simple lines that even younger children can follow and a few small details for older listeners.

These are great toddler story time read-alouds, great for parents to read with their little ones, and would also be absolutely perfect for older siblings to read to their baby brothers and sisters, or for a family to enjoy together, trying out the different activities.

Verdict: Highly recommended for your board book section. I'm so pleased I purchased these and we've had years of love for them.

I can do it
ISBN: 978-0811875608; Published June 2010 by Handprint Books; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library.

You can do it
ISBN:978-0811875615; Published June 2010 by Handprint Books; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library. show less

My favorite thing about this book is that it's a pretty standard cute kids book about trying to do grown-up things, it just happens to feature a family of color. No one mentions this, and there's nothing particularly "black" about the family. A great thing to integrate into a toddler story time so kids see different families reflected.