Urban Babies Wear Black

Urban Babies Wear Black

by Michelle Sinclair Colman, Nathalie Dion (Illustrator)

Infantus urbanus (defn.): Young mammal raised in city environment. Infantus urbanus love nights at the opera, modern architecture, and fine cuisine. Difficult to spot at night due to their penchant for black clothing. See also URBAN BABIES.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor

20 pages, Board Book

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A review by Baby Ezra.

I was surprised by this, my second foray into the world of literature. Coming from last night's reading of Good Night Moon, this board book seemed edgier and filled with wry humor. My reading palette, if you will, has widened and deepened, and yet I find myself vaguely unsettled.

Urban Babies Wear Black shows a variety of urban babies (such as myself) engaged in arguably un-baby-like activities. Whether visiting galleries or attending the opera, the text of the book would suggest a wide range of activities available to babies, far beyond my current full schedule of eating and sleeping.

I suspect a certain amount of nudging and winking is going on between adults over this book. Lattes? Yoga? The boundaries between the adult and infant world begin to dissolve and evaporate like dew on a summer morning. Although as an urban baby, perhaps I should say vanish like witnesses at a crime scene.

You see? Even a baby can get in on the joke.

[Drew Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Urban babies do many ever so sophisticated things like wearing black and doing yoga and drinking lattes.

Could there be a more pretentious baby book series? I'm pretty sure the answer is no. The art isn't terrible, but the whole idea of this book seems so hyper-self-aware that I can't get on board with it. Seriously, I don't think they let babies into the opera, no matter HOW "urban" they are. This is definitely for ostensibly hip and trendy parents, not so much for their little ones. We didn't even bother bringing this one home from the library.

[Amalia Proctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book, given to me by my parents' friend Melissa, who works at the Jewish Museum. I live in NYC and my Nana, who lives in the country, laughed uncomfortably when she saw the title, but at least half of the text is fairly accurate - I DO:

* wear black (sometimes).
* do yoga, with my mommy at the YCMA (I even have my own membership card already).
* visit galleries - hey, my mommy's an artist.
* enjoy architecture (or maybe it's just the birds, or the sky, or whatever happens to be up there).
* appreciate fine dining, although my palate is still somewhat limited - just started rice cereal last week.

I don't:

* jog, but my daddy does (he hasn't got one of those strollers like the one in the picture).
* drink latte, although I do reach for my parents' coffee frequently.
* attend the opera, but I have been to see Buckwheat Zydeco, Arlo Guthrie, and the NYC Philharmonic in the park.
* take taxis home at the end of a busy day - I prefer walking or the train.

There you go, I've told you every single word in the book (which makes me wish my daddy wrote for kids rather than adults, as it seems to have a much better word-to-dollar ratio), but the pictures are the best part of the book to see, and the cardboard is the second best part (for chewing).

[Aneesa]

Urban babies are pretentious.

[Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the "hippest" board book I own, this is an interesting combination of disturbing yuppie-like modeling and representation of what urban life might be like for children. Were you to look at Michelle Sinclair Colman's text alone, you might think that she's a near-idiot, but Nathalie Dion's illustrations take the edge off the lifestyle proselytizing. Gotta love how disaffected the children seem in every urban act.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goth Babies Wear Black would have thrilled me more, but Urban Babies Wear Black still cracked me up. Urban babies also do yoga, drink lattes, and enjoy a lot of other sophisticated urbanite purpuits. A tongue-in-cheek board book that adults will probably find more amusing than children.

[Brenda Salla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wouldn't give it any stars other than the fact it got my attention and made me curious enough to read it. Other than that I think it's posibly the work book I have ever picked up. Granted it has about >100 words total and is a book meant for young kids..but it still is a stupid book.

[Kelli Oliver George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An odd little book with fun artwork. A great gift for mothers living in the city.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a great book for urban parents to not feel guilty for dragging their kids everywhere that kids might not actually enjoy!

[jenny.]

Read this one while waiting for a smoothie, living in a neighborhood of urban babies who do a lot of the same shit in this book. cute.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorfully illustrated sturdy board book shows babies in action. These urban babies do yoga, visit art galleries, and even learn about architecture. Urban babies are on the move learning and growing. Parents and caregivers can share this little tool with toddlers and introduce them to books that are a perfect size for their little hands.

[Justine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was dumb lol.

[Natalie Montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The text and pictures are so great!

[Jj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ostensibly for children, yet obviously written and illustrated for adults.

[Faranae]

The things I read for my blog's sake....

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be darn cute… I think the author was on the right track, but the story seemed half-assed. I like the idea, I don’t like the execution.

[Priyanka B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Kaya's staple books. She will keep doing Urban babies do yoga, and then she does a downward dog. It's pretty funny how she fixates on that one. Not sure if she cares for the rest of the book.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

More for the parent than the child, but good for a laugh.

[Katie Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really cute and would make a great gift! Okay, so it's more for adults, but babies don't really "read" board books anyways. Check out the others by the same author "Eco Babies Wear Green", "Foodie Babies Wear Bibs", etc...

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please. Even though these seem like good baby shower books, don't. Instead buy a Dk, Kingfisher or Karen Katz book. That is a purchase that the BABY will actually like looking at. These books only humor adults.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book is just about what you'd expect it to be, a not-to-be-taken-seriously homage to all things urban. It's meant to poke fun at the trendy urban lifestyle by contrasting it with the general demeanor of a baby. It's light, silly, and funny. Well done.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I will give it that. It really wasn't by any means a great baby book.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love. It.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought, being a country girl myself and wanting to eventually move back to the country, I would like the Country Babies book better but I really like the Urban Babies book best!

[Jen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great gift for city babies. "Urban babies wear black. Urban babies do yoga. Urban babies take taxi cabs." Love these books!!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest board book...EVER!!!!!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This board book would make a great gift for the uber urban baby/toddler family.

[Denicemarcell]

way too cute! absolutely for the adults not the baby even though its a board book.

[Deborah Joyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a shower gift from Susan. Ethan loves it. I think his favorite is "Urban Babies do Yoga." He tries to mimic the pose!