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87th out of 116 books
—
77 voters
Baby
Larkin's family welcomes Sophie into their home, caring for her and teaching her games and new words. They come to love this baby as their own, all the while knowing that eventually Sophie's mother will return one day to take her from them.
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
September 1st 1993
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 1993)
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A lovely novella with surprising depth of characters and beautiful wording that can be read in about one sitting. The author is able to evoke vivid characters and much emotion with her uncomplicated but well-chosen words. I really love her style. I've left off a star for reasons that are not necessarily the book's fault, but because I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have thought as the jacket description was misleading--or, rather, left off what was the major theme of the book which was that,...more
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Another candidate for read aloud next year, although it's not going to make the cut, see why below.
1) Absolutely GORGEOUS writing. Sometimes almost painfully beautiful. MacLachlan is a very, very good writer.
2) A very well-crafted, poignant, uplifting yet agonizing at times, story.
3) Do you ever wonder why some books are marketed toward children that are perhaps not really for children? Of course I know that many children have to deal with unfortunate or difficult situations in their lives, a...more
1) Absolutely GORGEOUS writing. Sometimes almost painfully beautiful. MacLachlan is a very, very good writer.
2) A very well-crafted, poignant, uplifting yet agonizing at times, story.
3) Do you ever wonder why some books are marketed toward children that are perhaps not really for children? Of course I know that many children have to deal with unfortunate or difficult situations in their lives, a...more
2 likes · like · see review
This book is really well written, thoughtful, and tender.
Why am I giving it a 2-star rating? Details. As a mother of a 2 year old little girl, there were just too many details here that bugged me. This book takes place from late summer to spring; the baby is between a year old and a year and a half old (or so) during the course of the story. Baby starts talking "in sentences", and refers to herself as "I". This seems extremely advanced (most children don't start speaking in sentences until clos...more
Why am I giving it a 2-star rating? Details. As a mother of a 2 year old little girl, there were just too many details here that bugged me. This book takes place from late summer to spring; the baby is between a year old and a year and a half old (or so) during the course of the story. Baby starts talking "in sentences", and refers to herself as "I". This seems extremely advanced (most children don't start speaking in sentences until clos...more
I finished reading "Baby" in English a couple of days ago. To tell you the truth, this is my second book in English this year. I guess some of my friends remember my New Year's resolution. This year I decided to read forty eight books in English. However, I am still reading my third book right now. I definitely have to push myself more.
This book "Baby" is written by my favorite American author for children books, Patricia Maclachlan. I read her five books already. This is my sixth book of her. I...more
This book "Baby" is written by my favorite American author for children books, Patricia Maclachlan. I read her five books already. This is my sixth book of her. I...more
One of the advantages of volunteering in an elementary school library is the amazing stash of books there are to be discovered. Especially of one's children are in their late 40s and no longer bringing home stuff from the public library.
"Baby" (1993) is one of those on-two-levels stories, although not in the same way as Saint Exupéry's The Little Prince".
12 year old Larkin comes home from school early in the autumn to find a baby in a carry-basket, left in the driveway of her home. There is a no...more
"Baby" (1993) is one of those on-two-levels stories, although not in the same way as Saint Exupéry's The Little Prince".
12 year old Larkin comes home from school early in the autumn to find a baby in a carry-basket, left in the driveway of her home. There is a no...more
Words cannot adequately express how good this book is. As Larkin, the narrator, says, "Sometimes, there are no words."
This book is perfect. It's masterfully written in a lean, yet beautifully descriptive style, which is my favorite kind. It's sad and funny. I literally cried and laughed out loud within the same chapter. The mostly melancholy tone is punctuated with moments of hope and hilarity and just plain cuteness, which comes in the form of Sophie, the baby someone leaves on the porch of La...more
This book is perfect. It's masterfully written in a lean, yet beautifully descriptive style, which is my favorite kind. It's sad and funny. I literally cried and laughed out loud within the same chapter. The mostly melancholy tone is punctuated with moments of hope and hilarity and just plain cuteness, which comes in the form of Sophie, the baby someone leaves on the porch of La...more
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Oct 09, 2012
Deshun Head
marked it as to-read
twelve-year-old Larkin returns home one day to discover a baby sitting in a basket in the driveway of her family's house. the only clue to the baby's appearence is a note from the child's mother. "This is," the note reads. "she is almost a year old and she is good I will come back for her one day. I love her."
Larkin had to take in a baby and the mother of the baby will come back and get her oneday. larkin probably would have gotten usest to her and she would want to keep her. but the mother will...more
Larkin had to take in a baby and the mother of the baby will come back and get her oneday. larkin probably would have gotten usest to her and she would want to keep her. but the mother will...more
One of the most gorgeously written children's books I've ever read--perhaps the most. The setting and writing are spare and lovely, the characters true in every sense. The focus is brought back to the sibling in the wake of an infant death, as opposed to the focus being on the parents. The thread of poetry woven through is beautiful.
That said, I would be circumspect in giving this to a child to read. Children who have been through a similar situation, or parents of those children, would probabl...more
That said, I would be circumspect in giving this to a child to read. Children who have been through a similar situation, or parents of those children, would probabl...more
Although I have never cried while reading a book, I came very close when reading this one. The plot and the way it is written are both very different than a lot of books I have read.
It is about a girl named Larkin who lives on an island with her family. Every summer, tourists come and visit the beautiful island and then leave at the end of summer. But one summer, a baby is left on Larkin's front doorstep with a note pinned onto it's blanket. The note is from the baby's mother saying that the b...more
It is about a girl named Larkin who lives on an island with her family. Every summer, tourists come and visit the beautiful island and then leave at the end of summer. But one summer, a baby is left on Larkin's front doorstep with a note pinned onto it's blanket. The note is from the baby's mother saying that the b...more
MacLachlan, Patricia. Baby. New York: Delacorte, 1993. Print.
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Baby, by Patricia MacLachlan is a touching and heart filled story about a family who find a baby abandoned in their driveway. The baby has a note tucked in its basket informing the family that the baby’s name is Sophie and that she is loved. The note also informs the family that Sophie’s mother will be back for her someday (21-22). This story is told through the eyes of a little girl, Larken. The tone is calm...more
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Baby, by Patricia MacLachlan is a touching and heart filled story about a family who find a baby abandoned in their driveway. The baby has a note tucked in its basket informing the family that the baby’s name is Sophie and that she is loved. The note also informs the family that Sophie’s mother will be back for her someday (21-22). This story is told through the eyes of a little girl, Larken. The tone is calm...more
Alayna's Review:
This book was about a family whose son died when he was only a few hours old. They hadn't even named the child. Then, about a year passed when they found a baby on their front doorstep. There was a note with the baby. The family read it and made a decision to take care of the baby. The name of the baby was Sophie. The father told the children to never love the baby, but that request was difficult to follow even for him. He began to love the baby. Then one day, the mother of Soph...more
This book was about a family whose son died when he was only a few hours old. They hadn't even named the child. Then, about a year passed when they found a baby on their front doorstep. There was a note with the baby. The family read it and made a decision to take care of the baby. The name of the baby was Sophie. The father told the children to never love the baby, but that request was difficult to follow even for him. He began to love the baby. Then one day, the mother of Soph...more
The thing I love about Patricia MacLachlan is that she can tell a story with perfect emotion. This story is heart wrenching but told through the eyes of a child who doesn't understand the grief she and her parents are going through. Her confusion makes the story all the more touching.
On a personal note my grandparents bought this book for me when I was eight. My parents read it to me and I remember they cried at the end of every chapter. I didn't understand why as the story was overall happy. T...more
On a personal note my grandparents bought this book for me when I was eight. My parents read it to me and I remember they cried at the end of every chapter. I didn't understand why as the story was overall happy. T...more
Larkin’s life has always moved in rhythm with the sea and the wind, the coming and going of the island’s summer people, the beat of her father’s tap-dancing on the tiles. Mama and Papa and Byrd and Lark are accustomed to their routine, to each other. There’s just that one thing they never talk about, the one with no name…
At summer’s end, one visitor remains behind after the last ferry has gone. Through taking Sophie into their home for the off-season, Lark and her family are enabled to relearn t...more
Larkin’s life has always moved in rhythm with the sea and the wind, the coming and going of the island’s summer people, the beat of her father’s tap-dancing on the tiles. Mama and Papa and Byrd and Lark are accustomed to their routine, to each other. There’s just that one thing they never talk about, the one with no name…
At summer’s end, one visitor remains behind after the last ferry has gone. Through taking Sophie into their home for the off-season, Lark and her family are enabled to relearn t...more
Admittedly, I DO judge books by their cover, and I was not impressed with the cover of this book or by the title Baby. Really? The basic storyline is this: a loving family with some unspoken hurt is left with a baby and a note, and they take it upon themselves to raise the child as their own... until, inevitably, the baby's mother returns. The plot is simple enough, but the author makes a strong point about the power of words -- written, spoken, and unspoken, and I (again) found myself really mo...more
I liked this book - would give it 2.5 stars if possible. This is a book about grieving, and those were the parts of the book I enjoyed the most. I also liked Wild Eunice's story. This book made me cry. MacLachlan uses words and emotion well in her story. However, I found too many holes in the story - and the story is a bit contrived. I have known children to talk early, but most refer to themselves as my or me - not I. Why didn't the mom seek the help of Larkin's family instead leaving her baby...more
Oh, I loved this book when I was a kid. I bet I read it six or seven times. It's a tearjerker about a family who finds a baby girl named Sophie left on their doorstep. The mother thought they looked like nice people, and she says in her note that she plans to return for the baby when she can. The family has recently had a baby die, I can't remember if he was stillborn or just died shortly after birth. The story is told through the eyes of their daughter, who is lost and confused amongst her pare...more
May 27, 2010
Beth
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone with a soft heart
Shelves:
young-adult,
glad-i-read-it
One of my all time favorites. I just read Baby to Leigh Ann. Leigh was in a terrible car accident on Aug 4, 2009. She is in a skilled nursing care facility and presents as one with serious CP. The high lite of me week is Monday afternoons as I read to Leigh Ann. As I finished Baby, Leigh was holding my hand. She kept bring my had to her face and it wasn't until I put the book down that I realized she was wiping tears away. Then she did Rock, Paper , Scissors in my hand. You have to read the book...more
What would you do if a baby was left at your doorstep with a note from her mother saying she would be back some day? Could you care for that baby, even come to love her, knowing she could be taken from you at any time? I don’t know that I could be that selfless, deal with that loss. In Baby we bear witness to the quirky, loving and ill-fated family that must deal with such sadness.
Patricia MacLachlan proves to be a master of the metaphor in this beautifully written story that, at its core, is a...more
Patricia MacLachlan proves to be a master of the metaphor in this beautifully written story that, at its core, is a...more
I picked this book up on a whim while subbing for a fourth grade class because I recognized the author of Sarah Plain and Tall and it looked short enough to finish in a couple of hours. It is about a family who comes home to a baby on their doorstep with a note from the mother asking them to care for her until she returns. I expected a light children's book, but what I got was a heart wrenching, emotional roller coaster ride. I had constant tears in my eyes from the first page until the last. I...more
twelve year old larkin ratkin returns home one day to discover a baby sitting in a basket in the driveway of her familys house. the only clue about where the baby came from is a note from the childs mother, hir name is sophie.
i conact this book to the would because ther is people how give ther kids to other people so they can take kir of them.also i think ther IS people how dont want ther kids.
i give this book 5 stares because it was nice and sad.also i think it was one of the book that i lik...more
i conact this book to the would because ther is people how give ther kids to other people so they can take kir of them.also i think ther IS people how dont want ther kids.
i give this book 5 stares because it was nice and sad.also i think it was one of the book that i lik...more
I *thought* I was done with the Sarah, Plain and Tall series (turns our there are five books in the series, not three), so I moved on to other books by MacLachlan, who is pretty prolific. This one gives a very intense feeling for the island the family lives on - not like you feel like you know every part of it, but more like you know just what it's like to live there. A sad book, yes, but one that rings true and is beautiful.
I loved this book because it has a wonderful story of a baby being dropped off with the Larkin's witch causes painful family memories and joy of having a new member to there family. Although the farther in the family does not want to get attached to the new baby he finds a love for in his heart even though he is scared to admit it because of the painful memories. One of favorite books!
Apr 28, 2013
Samantha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
acceptance,
death,
chapter-book,
belonging,
community,
gratitude,
family,
fear,
generosity,
read-aloud,
growing-up,
music,
life-lessons,
love,
simplicity,
winter,
upper-elementary,
spring
A beautiful book that portrays love, family, and the importance of words. I would use this in a fifth, possibly fourth, grade classroom because the book does run deep. I loved it and think it shows how important family and gives family a good definition of people ago care for and love you. For those students who have experienced death, this may be a good book to suggest to them to read.
This is a wonderful book. I like books about names. This book treats serious human experiences in a simple way and leaves you feeling great. The characters come alive in a way that you wish you were friends with them. The descriptions of the peaceful island where Larkin's family lives are great. It makes me feel like I'm on summer vacation.
I was surprised at how such an emotionally moving story could be packed into such a short book. There were quite a few characters, and I feel like I got a pretty good glimpse of them. Usually I like longer books because I feel that I get to know the characters better, but this one did a great job with such little space. There was even room for side characters and stories.
In this story a family discovers a baby with a note from her mother. The family takes care of Sophie and Sophie becomes a part of the family. Sophie almost helps the family share the love they have for one another and when Sophie's mother comes to pick her up everyone is heartbroken, even though they knew that day would come.
"Wondrous words." Read this to my 10-year old daughter, who didn't enjoy it. Actually, she read the last 10 pages to me, since I started to cry. She said it was good bedtime reading because it was so boring. It's not boring! I hope she'll give it another try in a few years, because it deserves a second look!
Absolutely one of my favorite books of all time. It is beautifully written, and the story is compelling (and sad). As a former foster parent, I have lived this scenario, of knowing a baby was with me for a limited time, many times. It was never easy, but always necessary. Read this book!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| review for baby | 2 | 12 | Mar 24, 2008 03:41pm |
Patricia MacLachlan is a bestselling U.S. children's author, best known for winning the 1986 Newbery Medal for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall.
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More about Patricia MacLachlan...
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“Byrd: It is important because we are giving her something to take away with her when she goes.
Lalo: What will she take with her?
Byrd: Us.
Sophie: And what will we have when she's gone?
Byrd looked at Sophie and shook her head because she couldn't speak”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
Lalo: What will she take with her?
Byrd: Us.
Sophie: And what will we have when she's gone?
Byrd looked at Sophie and shook her head because she couldn't speak”
