Little You

Van Camp composes a lyrical ode to a newborn child, which is matched in its loveliness by Flett's exquisite, collage-like images of a young one with his or her parents. Both collaborators are of aboriginal Canadian descent, and the book will have particular appeal for families looking for nonwhite representations of tender family moments. But families of every size, shape, and background can appreciate sentiments like, "You are life and breath adored/ You are us and so much more/ Little ember with growing light/ Feel our love as we hold you tight." Up to age 3. (Apr.)

PreS—This tender celebration of babies features gentle rhymes and warm, understated illustrations. The six couplets combine direct language: "Let's all dance/let's all sing" with more poetic imagery: "Little wish/Gentle thunder." The art has the look of cut paper, with distinct lines and pleasingly curved shapes. It depicts the same child, at home and out in nature. Some scenes show the youngster alone, others with one or both parents. Eschewing the overt cuteness often seen in board books, the artist captures the toddler's joy in subtle, but tangible images, from a smiling face looking up at butterflies to the wisp of hair that blows just like the father's as the two watch fish from a canoe. The family feels real and specific, and the message ("You are the birth of everything true") will resonate with all readers.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR