Where Did That Baby Come From?
PreSchool-Grade 3–Replete with boisterous and colorful illustrations of a loving, though slightly disheveled tiger family, this is a rhyming tale of a confused child's initial aversion to and eventual acceptance of the newcomer. Upon the arrival of a new sibling that seems only to leak and squeak, a young tiger asks reasonably, "Where did that baby come from?/And can we take it back?" Curious about the infant's origins, the young feline wonders if the pest came from a store, was sprouted out of a seed, got picked up by mistake at the zoo, etc. Perhaps it came from outer space. The infant is shown on a full spread, wailing alone on a distant planet. This image apparently causes a change of heart as the older sibling becomes a concerned caregiver. "Oh, baby, please don't weep./I'll keep you warm, and safe from harm,/and help you fall asleep." While some of the illustrations are nearly overwhelming with busy scenes and borders, they reflect the chaos of the familial situation. Although there are a number of books about new siblings, this funny and rhythmic perspective is worth a look.–Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.