Babies

by Gyo Fujikawa

A charming first look at the soft and sweet world of babies.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

18 pages, Board Book

First published August 1, 1963

About the author

Gyo Fujikawa was an American illustrator and children's book author. A prolific creator of more than 50 books for children, her work is regularly in reprint and has been translated into 17 languages and published in 22 countries. Her most popular books, Babies and Baby Animals, have sold over 1.7 million copies in the U.S. Fujikawa is recognized for being the earliest mainstream illustrator of picture books to include children of many races in her work, before it was politically correct to do so.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago, I read It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way . I thoroughly enjoyed that picture book biography, and when I reached the end, I was astonished to see the cover image of this book, which was a forgotten staple of my childhood. I hadn't thought of it in years, and I had never known anything about the author, but as soon as I saw the cover, I remembered enjoying this book over and over again when I was little. I wasn't sure if my family still had it or where it was, but I came across it recently and was delighted to read it again.

This book features reassuring text and cute pictures, and it is also historically significant, since it was published in 1963 and shows integrated babies of different races. I never realized how old this book was, and certainly didn't have the historical context to appreciate the diversity when I was a small child, but knowing about the book's Japanese author and her insistence on illustrating racially diverse children despite potential sales hits in the South enhances my appreciation of the book now.

[Yuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might look like pretty ordinary to you, but in the 1960s it was quietly revolutionary. In the first page spread two children look sweetly and intently at the new baby: all three are blond(e) and blue-eyed. By the third spread, an Asian boy is introduced.. In the last spread out of 11 babies one is Asian, one possibly half-Asian half-Caucasian, and there is one brown baby. Gyo Fujikawa's publishers did not think this book would sell well in 1963. I did not grow up with this book, but wish I had. It's 2020 and I don't think the book has been out of print, but do correct me if I'm wrong.

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books to include multicultural babies.
Children like to look at pictures of babies, and why not let them see a baby that looks like them?
I think Gyo's illustrations are so sweet and adorable, even when the babies are naughty.
This book reminds me of Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers; babies abound!
I'm so glad this book is still around.

[Viridiana Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it talks about babies on how they like to be changed, hugged, bathed and loved. Babies are eating, laughing, sleeping and crying. In one of the pages it says, "Before you know it, they will be running and chasing all around." This is kind of saying babies are going to be exploring and trying to experiment on things that they see that intrigues them. It shows an older toddler hugging the infant which will help older toddlers to express and teach them on how to love their younger siblings. I believe this is a therapeutic book because it helps children to discuss real feelings.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my daughter for her first birthday party (baby doll theme), and it's been a favorite of hers ever since. My mom told me that she had this same book when she was a little girl. That is a sure sign of a classic read!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple text of what babies are like and what they need to thrive. It was revolutionary to show Asian and Black babies in a picture book in the 60s and how silly/sad is that. All kids should see all kids in their books. Sweet illustrations.

[Cathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to learn more about Gyo Fujikawa, how she became such an innovative and prolific illustrator many decades ago. In a time when most picture books featured blonde-haired, blue-eyed babies, she made pictures of babies from all races. I love what she did, and I love this book.

[Brianna Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, sweet book! The illustrations are precious, and my three year old loves to discuss all the babies and what they are doing. I love Gyo Fujiwaka's illustrations.

[One Code 431 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and adorable the pictures are so cute and the Barbie's cheeks are so pink. Awwwww i just love babies so much ( heart's )

[Ashley Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me sooooooo happy!!!!!! I hope it does for you too!

[Dilara Inam · Rating 4 out of 5]

After It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way, I read this. It is sweet and charming, more than these it is radical for its time.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fujikawa. So it is perfect.

[Ayunisashiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and warm and i can't say a words to describe how beautiful this art !

[Marsha Valance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweetly sentimental board book is a favorite of babies & toddlers. 3 generations of my family have loved it.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww... definitely a good way to introduce a child to an expected addition to the family. I just wish the illustrations showed the diversity (for which this artist is famous) from the first pages.

[Tammy U · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with Gyo Fujikawa and highly recommend her picture book biography...It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad!

[Christine Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute! Glad to be able to see this piece of history. Gyo Fujikawa, you diversity representation trailblazer!!

[Jennifer Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible to read a book more than a thousand times and not mind? Apparently so. All my babies have loved this book, and I never tire of Gyo Fujikawa's illustrations of children and their sweetness and their antics. This one is filled with lots of love. (Although I must say the final stanza of the poem is a little odd: good or bad, all babies like to be hugged and cuddled and loved. Are there any bad babies? I don't think so.)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books I read over and over again to Alex before Rory was born. Alex was SO excited to have a baby sister and now she reads this book to Rory. This book is special also because it was read to me and all my siblings since babyhood as well.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

She liked this one so much at a year old, she sat on it until the spine broke. Now that's love.
It continues to be a favorite, over a year since she discovered it. The tall format makes it easy for her to hold and turn pages.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet early book about how to love and care for babies, this would be a particularly good choice for a child about to have a younger sibling. The pictures are vintage precious, but with an impressively diverse cast of babies.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the illustrations in this. Classic!

[Suzanne Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good night favorite with Tennyson.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're fans of Gyo Fujikawa, and enjoyed this cute, simple, short board book about babies, especially since a new baby recently arrived at our house.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favorite. Wonder if my mom still has this?

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightfully illustrated book that babies and toddlers love. fun to read aloud.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie's favorite book as a baby.....we used to read it over and over on airplane trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

[Nelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and playful.

Out of 5.

Illustrations : 4
Content : 3
Originality : 2
Humor : n/a
Age Level : 0-100

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up on this book, and its one of Devin's favorites too. Its a classic!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son was addicted to this book from before he could talk up to about age three. It was probably his favorite book most of his second year - followed closely by a book by the same author about dogs.