Review: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. 2009. Hello Baby!. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781416985136

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Hello Baby! is a picture book exploring babies of various wild animals as the narrator asks the reader what kind of baby he/she is. The picture book continues with illustrations of animals and questions such as “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” Each animal is given a double page, brightly colored illustration. The book opens with an illustration of a child’s hand and closes with the hands of a parent and child reaching for one another.   

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mem Fox uses simply rhymes that are easily understood by young children. This book can be an interactive experience when reading to an audience. Lines such as “Are you a lion with dust on its paws?” and “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” invite enthusiastic responses. No specific cultural makers exist in the text or any of the illustrations. There are no indications as to the gender, country of origin, language, or other characteristics of the parent and baby indicated in the text, with only the briefest of illustrations to indicate race. Without knowing the author’s background, the setting and origin of these exotic animals would remain a mystery. However, Fox, currently residing in Australia, indicates in her personal website that Hello Baby! is based on her childhood growing up in Africa.

Steve Jenkins contributes his signature realistic construction paper animals that bring life to Fox’s writing. The brilliantly colored animals jump off the page, and feel as though they are interacting with the reader. Jenkins adds another nice touch, by including a full silhouette of every animal placed near the text. The details provided by Jenkins are striking, and although they may not be noticed by very young children, adults are sure to be impressed with his artistic abilities. For example, the eyes of each animal are incredibly lifelike, and they look as though they are staring straight at the reader. Somehow Jenkins manipulates construction paper to create the delicate feathers of an eagle and sharp quills of a porcupine with remarkable skill.

The only issue regarding illustrations would be the lack of backgrounds and details about the general environment of the animals. It is understandable that Jenkins wanted to keep the focus on the animals, but I believe children would be curious as to where the animals are located. There is no way to know if they are in a zoo, in America or another country, or in various other locations.

Hello Baby! is a small, easy to follow picture book that may be too simplistic for older kids, but would be a big hit with babies, toddlers or preschoolers. The generic reference to the “baby” in the text allows any child to put himself/herself in the position of being the “treasure”.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Like her Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Fox's newest has all the marks of a lap-sit classic.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “This picture book brims with fascinating animals, brilliant words and engaging artwork; it begs for cozy nightly readings.”

Positive review in Booklist: “As in her best-selling title Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (2008), a Booklist Editors’ Choice selection, Fox creates an affectionate, singsong picture book directed straight at small children.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use this picture book in a baby storytime or animal storytime. Engage children in responses to each page.

* Author Mem Fox reads aloud many of her children’s books: http://www.memfox.net/mem-reads-aloud

* Mem Fox’s Hello Baby! webpage with additional information on the inspiration behind the book.

*A small selection of children’s books by Mem Fox:
Koala Lou. ISBN 9780786819881
Wombat Divine. ISBN 9780152020965
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. ISBN 9780152060572
Whoever You Are. ISBN 9780152164065
Possum Magic. ISBN 9781862910959