Baby Belly

by Patricia Martín, Rocío Bonilla (Illustrations)

Baby Belly is a precious story about the pregnancy experience for a sibling that features a big brother who wonders what's inside his moms belly--maybe it's a balloon? As mommy's belly gets bigger and bigger he waits for the arrival of a baby sister or brother. Get Ready Board Book is a new series of wordless board books with bright illustrations that will delight little ones and their parents and provides an endless opportunity to engage in toddlers their own storytelling and interpretation of what they see in the book. Super cute and appealing, little kids will see themselves in the stories as both books capture a family's experience.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

20 pages, Board Book

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! The coming of a new sibling is explored in this wordless picture book. Perfect for the little ones about to become an older brother or sister.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless picture book about the coming of a baby brother/sister for a child point of view. Funny, cute and useful. Well done!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Baby Belly’ by Patricia Martin is an absolute delight of a book. The illustrations have a timeless feel and making it a wordless story is a genius move.

What better way to have your young one able to “tell their own story” of looking forward to the birth of a younger sibling? And, without text, Mom or Dad can explain in their own words what is going on within the family.

This would make a wonderful gift for parents to give to the soon-to-be Big Brother.

Solid Five Star Read. A huge Thank You to NetGalley, Magination Press & the American Psychological Association for the digital copy to review.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains an overload of cuteness in it. It is so sweet and begs to be shared with wee siblings that are soon to become a big brother or sister.

It is from the series "Get Ready Board Books" and is a Spanish import.

"Baby Belly" is a wordless short book that highlights the observations of an adorable, curious little boy who watches his mommy's tummy get bigger and bigger and bigger as the baby inside of her grows and grows and grows. He's not quite sure what is causing the expansion.... maybe she has a balloon tucked in there? The book is lovely because it gives a chance for a child and his mother ( and the other members of the family) to exchange what is truly happening inside of her. There are many opportunities for questions and understanding of this magical event that will be exciting to all when the new baby finally arrives in their home.

The illustrations are truly wonderful. Inspiring the "lookers" and "page-turner" to give a voice to them. I would suggest that this book would be a perfect gift to pass on to a family who is awaiting the birth of a brand new baby. Storywraps highly recommends this book!

[Amit Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a cute little silent story.
It shows curious young boy who watches her mother's belly increasing in size.
And he has no idea why this is happening.
It is a caption free story.
Even my 6 years old son, could easily understand it.
Illustrations are marvellous, cute and all depicting.
A good graphic book for little kids.
Art is the soul and strength of the book and it stands firm without support of captions.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious little wordless board book about a big brother to be. The pictures do an awesome job of conveying the wonder and joys of a new pregnancy and becoming a big brother. The illustrations are bright and colorful. This book is bound to delight its toddler " readers".

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book without words. The illustrations show the coming of a new baby into the house. It's well drawn and will appeal to younger children, I'd say around toddler age, and you can use your own words to help them understand what's going to happen then leave them with the book to look through the pictures and absorb what's happening.

At first I was a bit taken aback by the concept of a book without words, but I think in this setting it works extremely well. The age range it's targeting is not an age range that can read anyway, and it's not telling a story with words, but still conveying an experience with art in a very simple way for young children to understand.

[Zelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet stories about a kid that curious about his mom's belly that getting bigger, excited to have sibling

It's heartwarming, with nice illustration. Recommended for a birthday's present :D

[Chrisanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little wordless book(I probably rated it higher because of that---words get kind of clichè in these types of stories). Love the little suspicious look he gives the bassinet.

[Anna Baboura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board book χωρίς κείμενο, ευκαιρία για συζήτηση και να προβάλλει το το παιδί τις οποίες απορίες ή σκέψεις του…
Η εικονογράφηση τόσο απλή, όσο εύστοχη όμως.

[Natassia_trav · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really beautiful how this picture book is just that - a book with only pictures and no words, and it still succeeds in telling us a beatiful family story. This book could be great for children under a year, but also for toddlers and older children if you need to tell them you are having a new baby in the family.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a wordless board book. The main character is a toddler who is white with blonde hair. The mother is also white with blonde hair. We do not see any other characters. We see the mother's belly start to grow throughout the short book, which prompts the toddler to stuff a balloon under their shirt. This is a typical response of children to show being pregnant, although the age of the child in this book seems like they're too young to think of that themself. In one spread we see the toddler in bed giving a suspicious side eye to a crib in their room. Then there is a baby in the crib and the toddler has lifted the shirt of the mother, exposing a flat stomach. At the end of the book we see the toddler and baby playing. This is cute but there's just not a lot of substance to it. I like a wordless book that lends itself to many re-reads and I don't think this one does. #Netgalley

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I just fell in love with this cover. Why was this boy putting a balloon under his shirt? I didn't even read the blurb until after I requested it, and that answered my question. I was happy I requested it and couldn't wait to get accepted and read it. And here we are!

Recommended and review to come in January 2020.

[Πάνος Τουρλής · Rating 5 out of 5]

Οι εκδόσεις Κόκκινη Κλωστή Δεμένη στρέφονται με τα νέα τους βιβλία και στα πολύ μικρά παιδιά για να τα μάθουν μέσα από χαριτωμένες εικόνες και χωρίς καθόλου λόγια βασικά πράγματα της καθημερινής τους ζωής. Έτσι, μέσα από τα πολύχρωμα βιβλιαράκια που δημιούργησαν η Patricia Martin (κείμενο) και ο Rocio Bonilla (εικόνες) το παιδί μαθαίνει πώς να ετοιμαστεί για ύπνο (ποια είναι η διαδικασία, τι του αρέσει να κάνει όσο ετοιμάζεται για ύπνο, ποια τα αγαπημένα του ζωάκια, τι κάνει ο μπαμπάς για να το νανουρίσει) και πώς να καλωσορίσει το νέο του αδελφάκι (τι έχει μέσα η κοιλιά της μαμάς, τι έρχεται στην οικογενειακή τους ζωή, πώς θα το φροντίσει).

Το «Ώρα για ύπνο» είναι μια ήρεμη σιωπηλή ιστορία που ακολουθεί τη ρουτίνα του ύπνου ενός μικρού κοριτσιού – μπάνιο, βούρτσισμα των δοντιών, ιστορία, μπαμπάς που πιάνει τέρατα κάτω από το κρεβάτι κ.λπ. Τα μικρά παιδιά, που θα ήθελαν να δουν τον ήρωα ενός βιβλίου να κάνει τα ίδια πράγματα που κάνουν, νιώθουν απόλυτη ταύτιση με το κοριτσάκι και γαληνεύουν πριν κοιμηθούν. Η στιγμή του ύπνου δεν είναι εύκολη για πολλά παιδιά, έτσι, πρέπει να μάθουν μια ρουτίνα και να συσχετίζουν καθημερινές καταστάσεις τη στιγμή που θα κοιμηθούν. (από το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλίου)

Το «Τι είναι αυτή η κοιλιά μαμά;» είναι μια πολύτιμη ιστορία για την εμπειρία της εγκυμοσύνης από έναν μεγάλο (μικρό όμως) αδελφό που αναρωτιέται τι είναι μέσα στην κοιλιά της μητέρας του – ίσως είναι ένα μπαλόνι; – καθώς η κοιλιά της μαμά μεγαλώνει και περιμένει την άφιξη μιας αδερφής ή ενός αδελφού. Όλα γίνονται φυσικά και αβίαστα και γιατί όχι, απολαυστικά! Ένα όμορφο σιωπηλό βιβλίο από χαρτόνι για τα μικρά που ασχολείται, με χιούμορ, για την αναμονή και την άφιξη ενός νέου μέλους στην οικογένεια.(από το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλίου)

Απολαύστε τις νέες φροντισμένες εκδόσεις της Κόκκινης Κλωστής Δεμένης για πολύ μικρά παιδιά και μοιραστείτε με τα παιδιά σας όμορ��ες στιγμές από την καθημερινότητά τους. Χοντροχάρτονα βιβλία χωρίς λόγια και με συναρπαστικές, πολύχρωμες λεπτομέρειες θα βοηθήσουν μικρούς και μεγάλους να μάθουν καλύτερα απλά και καθημερινά πράγματα.

Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: https://www.vivliokritikes.com/%cf%8e...

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you ask, yes, this is deliberately without text – I wasn't completely sure until I read the publisher's notes, for the e-file I saw came with no covers, title pages etc. So what I did get was just a very few pages, but pages that completely successfully showed a young child curious about that bulge that seems to be growing in the middle of his mother's body all of a sudden. Yes, the textless format is both a great way to get this seen across multiple international markets, and a conscious decision to let the book user, clearly intended to be about the age of the child in question, empathise with the character they're seeing and fill in their own gaps. And thus the child learns nothing about the birds and bees, but does manage to see the growth of his sibling, even if the how and why are left for more mature reads. I can't say I'm in a position to test this with a toddler, but this certainly seems like it would work. The artwork is certainly of a good design, and the circular nature of the story satisfying to all.

[Terrie Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book for a toddler who will be getting a new sibling. It is absolutely adorable.

There are no words in this book and they are not needed. It has the cutest illustrations about a boy who watches his mother’s belly grow. He even puts a balloon under his shirt so he has a baby belly too. When his brother is born, he gives him a ride in his wagon.

This book made me happy. Every page conveys love – for the boy, his mother and the new baby. The characters are perfect and the colors a wonderful blend. I cannot convey how enjoyable this book is. I will give it to all my friends expecting their second (or subsequent) child.


I received an ARC from Magination Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, wordless picture book for the youngest children is absolutely delicious.  With delicate illustrations reminiscent of those by Helen Oxenbury, young readers watch as a young child observes his mother's expanding girth due to pregnancy.  The child tries to figure out what is happening.  He even tries to replicate the look with a balloon.  When the baby is born, he observes that his mom's back to her usual shape.

This book is so very cute and can open the door to discussion on this life event.  I give this one five stars.  Adults will like it too!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute wordless picture book for littles whose moms are expecting a baby! older brother, in the case of this story, wonders what's in his mommy's tummy; could it be a balloon? Mom's baby bump grows through the story, only to disappear once the baby makes it's appearance! And, of course, the toddler and baby up a bit to be best buds! I love the illustrations. Would make a nice gift to child who's going to have a new baby in their home soon! Could have been a bit longer, but now bad!

I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Danielle Bailleu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are great in this book but I am not a fan of wordless books. It is not a book that I can sit down and read to my children. I do like how a child can look at the pictures and understand what is going on but again, not something my daughters would enjoy.

This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

[Elevetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The illustrations are THE cutest!

I've never been a huge fan of wordless baby books. They can be kinda boring to read, however, this one is so adorable, the lack of words is forgiven. To be fair, I've yet to see how my baby (or any baby) reacts to the story and how well just the pictures go over, but I'm very interested to see!

If I had a complaint, it would be that this is too short!

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested an advanced reading copy from NetGalley.

I loved the fact that this book is only illustrations and that the author did this on purpose so that you and your child could create your own story about the baby belly. My favourite illustration is the one on the cover, it is so cute.

I love giving books as present and this will be the book I choose, for anyone I know having a second child.

#BabyBelly #NetGalley

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy observes his mother's growing belly with both curiosity and trepidation.

This wordless board book follows a young child's growing awareness of his mother's growing belly. He expresses both interest and apprehension. And once his new sibling is laying in the bassinet that he had side-eyed on a previous page, he notices his mother's stomach is flat again. The story concludes with him happily playing with his new sibling.

This book would be great for introducing the topic of pregnancy and the expected arrival of a new sibling with small children.

[sweet orange books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is quite a cute story about a boy who observes his mom's belly becoming bigger and bigger, and tries to make sense of it. He places a balloon under his shirt, looks side-eyed at the new crib in his room, and is a proud and happy big brother by the end of the story. Wordless book.

*Thank you NetGalley and the American Psychological Association for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

[Elzbieta Wisz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a new mommy, so this cute little book grabbed my attention right away when I saw it on Netgalley. I loved watching the story unfold and found myself to giggle at the little boy's curiosity. I will definitely be keeping this book in mind for the future when my husband and I manage to grow another little miracle.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an adorable picture book that shows having a baby from a first child's point of view. This book has no words, but the illustrations perfectly follow a little boy's journey and curiosity that come with having a baby brother.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wordless picture book shows a little boy noticing his mother's growing belly. It stars off with a picture of him playing with an empty cart and the final picture is of him pulling his baby sibling in the cart - very cute! This would be a lovely addition to the "prepare for new baby" set to read with very young children (ages 2-3).

[Aftin Combs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids and I love board books with no words. It is so fun to focus on the pictures and ask them what they observe. This one brought up lots of great questions about pregnancy. The art was really wholesome.

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and poignant, a wordless board book depicting a toddler's emotions in response to his mother's changing body. My one complaint is the depiction of Mama's belly as "flat" in the final, post-baby spread. Ain't no baby belly disappears without a single trace.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless and simple. Explores a young boy's curiosity about his mother's growing stomach all the way up through the birth of his younger sibling

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous drawings of an expressive child. Feels incomplete or just a bit too short. Good for parents who want to start an important conversation with their preschooler, but not great on its own.