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I Am a Baby
"I am a baby, this is my crib, this is my high chair, this is my bib." Photos of happy babies and words that encourage make this an irresistible read-aloud for every child and family. From the author of the critically acclaimed A Kiss Means I Love You and Show Me Happy comes a delightful approach to visual learning.
22 pages, Board Book
Published September 1, 2018
About the author
Kathryn Madeline Allen
6 books10 followersI am a children’s author who writes diverse, interactive picture books that teach babies and young children about nonverbal communication, manners, families, and love.
I AM A BABY has just been released! Along with SHOW ME HAPPY and A KISS MEANS I LOVE YOU (both now available as board and picture books), the companion books feature beautiful photographs of real children.
All three books work well in preschool, early elementary, and home settings. Young children enjoy imitating the actions depicted in the colorful photos, learning at the same time.
It's been a pleasure working with photographers Rebecca Giziki and Eric Futran and the team at Albert Whitman to create books that help children learn to love reading!
I AM A BABY has just been released! Along with SHOW ME HAPPY and A KISS MEANS I LOVE YOU (both now available as board and picture books), the companion books feature beautiful photographs of real children.
All three books work well in preschool, early elementary, and home settings. Young children enjoy imitating the actions depicted in the colorful photos, learning at the same time.
It's been a pleasure working with photographers Rebecca Giziki and Eric Futran and the team at Albert Whitman to create books that help children learn to love reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
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January 11, 2022This simple rhyming book has full-color photos of things that all babies are becoming familiar with. Babies from different families and cultures are shown doing all kinds of activities. Even better, this title can be found in both picture books and board book format, so little ones of all ages can enjoy it! *Reviewed by Stephanie at MCPL Reading Rocket*
May 25, 2017
Okay, I find this ironic. Iconic picture books like The Snowy Day are turned into board books even though board books are supposed to be pitched to babies and toddlers too young to appreciate books like that yet. Some asshat publishers have decided to make really baby appropriate adult classics like Jane Eyre and Moby-Dick or, The Whale into board books that they are selling to parents who are equally asshats for thinking such things are suitable for babies.
And yet, here is a book filled with lovely pictures of the kind babies actually groove on! Front facing, full color photos, plus additional photo montages of the sort that are ideal for toddlers.
So of course, this is a hardcover book with paper pages that are just screaming "tear me," to small children.
Look, I know we're a stupid country--our recent election proved that there are millions and millions of truly dumb people out there.
I just thought that, for the most part the book industry was generally comprised of more intelligent human beings.
Another illusion, shot to hell.
And yet, here is a book filled with lovely pictures of the kind babies actually groove on! Front facing, full color photos, plus additional photo montages of the sort that are ideal for toddlers.
So of course, this is a hardcover book with paper pages that are just screaming "tear me," to small children.
Look, I know we're a stupid country--our recent election proved that there are millions and millions of truly dumb people out there.
I just thought that, for the most part the book industry was generally comprised of more intelligent human beings.
Another illusion, shot to hell.
January 18, 2017
simple rhymes + adorable photographs + inclusive of diverse babies and families = solid baby storytime book.
February 8, 2018
Super cute. My mom wants to make a version with my photos!
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March 26, 2026I didn’t like it at first, but the next time we read it, I was very into it
February 6, 2017
A book with photographs of cuties. This book points out the simple things like toes and cloths.
June 9, 2020
Photographs of babies illustrate things familiar to babies.
"I am a baby, this is my crib, this is my high chair, this is my bib."
A diverse cast of babies interact with basic baby products and family members.
This picture book allows children to reflect upon their own experience and expand upon it. Young readers will enjoy seeing photos of other small children.
"I am a baby, this is my crib, this is my high chair, this is my bib."
A diverse cast of babies interact with basic baby products and family members.
This picture book allows children to reflect upon their own experience and expand upon it. Young readers will enjoy seeing photos of other small children.
January 5, 2018
diverse picture book (babies' favorite things; for babies/younger tots and their caretakers)
* Prominently features diverse characters: yep, see cover for a number of adorable babies with different skin colors. In terms of family-type diversity, the text reads: "This is my father, this is my mother, my grandma, my grandpa, my sister, my brother." Obvi, not all of the kids in the audience will have all of those things, and I kind of wish it had left those out, but I can't think of any way of getting around it either, since family members are so HUGE in babies' lives. Maybe if they'd mixed up siblings and grandmothers and parents so they seem more like individual components and less like complete sets that everyone should have. The picture that later accompanies "This is my family" depicts a mom and a dad (racially mixed couple) with their baby, but the following spread that goes with "and all our pets too. I am their baby..." shows 3 babies with mom and dad, 1 baby with 2 moms, 2 babies with solitary female caretakers, and 2 babies just with pets.
* Would work for baby/toddler storytime: absolutely, though depending on your audience you may skip some pages (I always do). Most of the pictures have giant baby faces on them (v. engaging for babies, if they're old enough to see that far) and text is very short.
* Prominently features diverse characters: yep, see cover for a number of adorable babies with different skin colors. In terms of family-type diversity, the text reads: "This is my father, this is my mother, my grandma, my grandpa, my sister, my brother." Obvi, not all of the kids in the audience will have all of those things, and I kind of wish it had left those out, but I can't think of any way of getting around it either, since family members are so HUGE in babies' lives. Maybe if they'd mixed up siblings and grandmothers and parents so they seem more like individual components and less like complete sets that everyone should have. The picture that later accompanies "This is my family" depicts a mom and a dad (racially mixed couple) with their baby, but the following spread that goes with "and all our pets too. I am their baby..." shows 3 babies with mom and dad, 1 baby with 2 moms, 2 babies with solitary female caretakers, and 2 babies just with pets.
* Would work for baby/toddler storytime: absolutely, though depending on your audience you may skip some pages (I always do). Most of the pictures have giant baby faces on them (v. engaging for babies, if they're old enough to see that far) and text is very short.
February 2, 2018
Likes: I like the up-close photos of babies and the focus on their faces; this is developmentally appropriate and the babies in my storytime were completely fascinated by the pictures. I like that the babies aren't all white, although I still think that white babies are over-represented. I like the focus on familiar daily activities and objects that should be immediately familiar to the audience.
Dislikes: The pages about family referenced a heterosexual 2-parent family. If I went to a storytime as a parent and this was shared, it would give me pause. On the other hand, Jazz Baby features a similar family make-up and it doesn't bother me there at all -- maybe because the book is telling a full story about a particular family, not just introducing the concept of family?
I have mixed feelings about using this, because I do think the drawback is notable. But there is a lot to like, and the babies responded very positively when I used it today. In a longer storytime I would balance it with something like Todd Parr's family book or Mommy, Mama, and Me but in a baby storytime I really only get one book in, so we'll see. Whether it goes into the rotation depends on the quality of my other options.
Dislikes: The pages about family referenced a heterosexual 2-parent family. If I went to a storytime as a parent and this was shared, it would give me pause. On the other hand, Jazz Baby features a similar family make-up and it doesn't bother me there at all -- maybe because the book is telling a full story about a particular family, not just introducing the concept of family?
I have mixed feelings about using this, because I do think the drawback is notable. But there is a lot to like, and the babies responded very positively when I used it today. In a longer storytime I would balance it with something like Todd Parr's family book or Mommy, Mama, and Me but in a baby storytime I really only get one book in, so we'll see. Whether it goes into the rotation depends on the quality of my other options.
March 12, 2019
I love doing this book for my Baby Storytime! I told the parents and caregivers that babies love seeing photos of other babies. This book in particular is great because it has bigger photos, unlike the board books which are great for one on ones, but not too great for a storytime with five babies. For this book, we went through all the pages, and if the baby in the book was wearing something a baby in storytime was wearing, I would say baby's name out loud and point it out to the group. Whenever they mentioned a body part (like fingers and toes), I told the adults to tickle or touch that body part so that babies could associate the word to their body part. I love being able to make books more interactive, especially with babies! It kept them interested in the book the entire time! I will definitely use this book again!
February 14, 2019
I do like the photographs, but a couple of TODDLERS somehow wound up in this book. Hmm.
The children depicted here are a mix of races, but the portions about family could use more options. Not everyone has a mother/father/grandma/grandpa/sister/brother. So many kids are raised in different situations--biological and otherwise--that definitions of family do need to be expanded in books for children. Some don't have ANY of those family members, in fact--what about the child who is raised by an aunt who happens to be in a two-woman relationship? But, as someone else noted, maybe that's where using this in combination with another book (Todd Parr is one suggested author) could work.
The children depicted here are a mix of races, but the portions about family could use more options. Not everyone has a mother/father/grandma/grandpa/sister/brother. So many kids are raised in different situations--biological and otherwise--that definitions of family do need to be expanded in books for children. Some don't have ANY of those family members, in fact--what about the child who is raised by an aunt who happens to be in a two-woman relationship? But, as someone else noted, maybe that's where using this in combination with another book (Todd Parr is one suggested author) could work.
May 5, 2022
As a board book the appeal will be to mostly babies. By the time my grandkids were about 18 mo old they would no longer read board books. The kids pics were great and will appeal to babies, but I think family relationships are not of interest and just open up questions as it is impossible to include all types of family units. The racial diversity is also good but many races are excluded. I realize all races can't be included. I think a book focusing on the babies would have been a better choice.
April 22, 2026
Cute story that includes tons of pictures of babies (which, babies usually love looking at other babies) so it should keep littles' attentions. There is a nice rhythm/rhyming pattern that make it a fun read aloud. It's also a good way to introduce some new vocab to your baby (as there are body parts, family members, clothing, etc.) Would be good for a baby storytime or a one-on-one read aloud. Theme would be baby, words, or rhyming.
July 10, 2023
I could see this as a first book for babies. Alternatively, this could become reading for very eager pregnant women.
The babies look cute. The pictures are swell. Much like grabbing a friend and making that friend look at every single exciting picture that you've saved on your phone.
For what this book is, simple and sweet, of course I'll give it FIVE STARS.
The babies look cute. The pictures are swell. Much like grabbing a friend and making that friend look at every single exciting picture that you've saved on your phone.
For what this book is, simple and sweet, of course I'll give it FIVE STARS.
September 5, 2018
Not amazing as far as storytime reading goes. But baby books for Baby ST aren't usually high quality. It's more for the children to see pictures of babies like them, and this one does that well. Also talks of things they will be learning about in their world at that age.
July 19, 2019
Cute photographs. 9 week old was fascinated by the images of the baby faces. Book does have language asking about where your father and mother are and whose baby you are so might not be the best read aloud for those in FC.
February 21, 2017
I love this book! Simple rhymes and great photographs. Perfect to share in baby storytime.
December 5, 2017
Lots of baby faces and items you can point to to work on vocabulary.
June 1, 2018
My 9-month-old loves looking at the babies in this book, but I wish it was in a large format board book style instead of a very-easy-to-destroy paper format.
June 13, 2018
Cute, easy read, real photo illustrations.
July 30, 2018
Age: Infant
Large, close-up photographs of babies and toddlers show common things throughout a baby/toddler's day. An essential read-aloud for storytimes!
Large, close-up photographs of babies and toddlers show common things throughout a baby/toddler's day. An essential read-aloud for storytimes!
October 11, 2018
This has just become my go-to baby shower gift!!!!
January 3, 2019
Fun for littles who like looking at faces. Will soon look outdated.
March 17, 2019
Lovely, just lovely.
March 20, 2019
Cute book for littles
March 22, 2019
A fast paced book about babies and their lives showing the importnat people and things in real life pictures. Baby and up
July 29, 2019
pictures of babies with simple sentences. things babies do / are. might consider for baby storytime.
March 3, 2020
Great baby read.
December 2, 2020
I love all these baby pictures, especially the ones with babies and their cats!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews