Broadway Baby

by Russell Miller, Judith A. Proffer

“An adorable, thoughtful salute to an industry I so so love.” – Nik Walker (Hamilton)

“A magical trip to the amazing world of Broadway for the kid in all of us.” – Telly Leung (Aladdin)

Broadway Baby longs to sing, dance, shine, and zing on the New York stage!

This cheeky little one catches a dreamland star to spellbinding bright lights, stage doors, and costume/prop rooms, taking the reader along on a fanciful journey from crib to playground to a dazzling New York City.

With nods to elements that make live theater vibrant and special, this picture book is sure to touch the hearts of those who know the joys of being part of the theater community while sparking the thrills that come with being in the audience.

Lushly illustrated and written in rhyme as a nod to musicals by a Broadway/West End producer and a theater enthusiast, the book charmingly celebrates the creativity that the stage inspires, while reminding Broadway lovers of all ages that with a brilliant imagination even the loftiest of dreams can come true.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023

About the author

Russell Miller (born c. 1938) is a British journalist and author of fifteen books, including biographies of Hugh Hefner, J. Paul Getty and L. Ron Hubbard. While under contract to The Sunday Times Magazine he won four press awards and was voted Writer of the Year by the Society of British Magazine Editors.

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 "put on your tap shoes and melt the heart" stars !!

2023 Honorable Mention Read

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and illustrator and Independent Publisher's group for an ecopy.
This will be released April 2023. I am providing my honest review.

Wowza...I got all misty and starry eyed while perusing this children's picture book. I read it three times and sang it to my partner a la Liza Minelli !

Baby's first trip to broadway as a spectator and then imagines themself as a STAR ! A REAL BROADWAY BABY STAR !!

The rhyming verse is a hoot and so sweet and funny ! The illustrations are an absolute dream and the child in question could be a boy or girl or any other gender really. Love that !!

Adored this little book and is suitable to all your tiny singers and dancers ages 3 to 6 !

Going to kick up my heels and listen to Evita ! Yasssss !

I made it to Broadway...my dreams took me far...and now it's my bedtime. Goodnight little star.

[Priscilla | Books Imperfect Condition · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, isn’t this the cutest cover!? When we received this bookmail my son squealed in excitement! His response told me this was going to be a great 5 ☆ read!

As with any children’s book the pictures are what captivates young readers and Broadway Baby was IT! The images are vibrant and almost feel “in motion”. My son absolutely loved it!

As parents we try to instill “dream big” & “dreams do come true” mentalities in our children and this book is a wonderful tool for parents to use in that endeavor. We’ve added this cute, whimsical little number to our daily rotation! BRAVO! 💐

[Diany (Diany_in_bookland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable and whimsical story to teach babies to dream big! I love theatre and have loved the stage since I was a little girl so I knew I had to read this ARC as soon as I saw it. This really is a love letter to Broadway and it is conveyed through lovely rhymes and beautiful illustrations (I even recognized a lot of New York's favorite shows got a few cameos in there). I usually don't review a lot of children's books, but I couldn't resist. This put such a big smile on my face and I can't wait for this book to validate a little kid's dreams of stardom!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This toddler has some big dreams! And that’s full of glitter and glamour!

Just reading this colourful book about the kid makes me want to start dreaming a whole new bigger dream. The cover is fun, the contents quite entertaining and colourful and yes, you will not be able to ignore the glam!

A fun one!

Thank you, Meteor 17 Books, for the advance reading copy.

[Grace DeBaltzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broadway Baby is an engaging picture book that introduces children to the excitement and wonder of the stage. With accessible writing and a rhythmic flow, it sparks curiosity about auditions, rehearsals, and the various elements of theater production.

The illustrations have both drawn cartoons with some miscellaneous photographed images mixed it. They’re a bit busy for my taste, but my toddler enjoyed them and finding different things he recognizes.

If your child has an interest in performing, "Broadway Baby" is a book that should definitely be on your list.

[Lauren ∥ bookedmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broadway Baby is a love letter to Broadway and following your dreams. It's a perfect bed time story...not too long or too short. For us, this book led to a conversation about their first Broadway musical (Lion King) and their dreams for the future. The rhymes themselves are musical, the illustrations are bright and engaging, and big brother even took over reading to his little brother. Can't wait to take our little Broadway babies to another show and read this book again.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most adorable adventure of the littlest big star. My children loved the vibrant and detailed illustrations. The rhythmic, sing song text is perfect for any familiar melody. We loved that the Broadway Baby's personality came through in the illustrations - which is fitting since body movement is such a crucial element of musical theatre! This is a great way to introduce musical theatre to little stars and encourage them to dream big.

[Sara Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where are my theater nerds at?!?! If you love theater and have little ones, you will absolutely adore this book. The rhyming and amazing illustrations will keep your little one engaged for the whole story. One of my favorite things was that they include some theater jargon in a child friendly way. It’s a great way to introduce some new vocabulary to your little one. Highly recommend for any parents who love theater!

[Lauri Fortino · Rating 4 out of 5]

BROADWAY BABY by Russell Miller and Judith Proffer with illustrations by Yoko Matsuoka is a lavishly illustrated, rhyming ode to Broadway for children. Kids will enjoy the colorful, detailed pictures and fun, read-aloud text while getting a first introduction to the delights of Broadway theater as they follow Baby from crib to NYC stage. Perfect for theater fans and dreamers of all ages.

[Kimberlee - books_kids_and_chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broadway Baby is a great book about a baby dreaming about becoming a Broadway star. I read this with my 3 children ages 10, 8 and 5 and they all enjoyed it. The illustrations are done so well. They are all very detailed and realistic. I loved the theme of reaching for the stars to achieve your dreams. All in all a great book!

[Ally Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a past dancer who grew up learning dance routines to the song 'Broadway Baby', I was so excited to read this story! It is an adorable story and a great tribute to the world of Broadway. I grew up singing, dancing and participating in musicals, and I loved this story. I am now a music educator and will definitely be incorporating into my music classroom.

[Geneva.Bookdiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute adorable story my little ones love it. I’ve read it 3 times already for bedtime at their request. The story & the illustrations keeps them into the story. Every-time they look at the pages they point out something new they haven’t seen

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well isn’t this just the cutest book! I had the biggest grin on my face after reading this book with my son. The text is fun and engaging and the illustrations bright and cheerful! An absolutely adorable book for any young child’s library!

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! Great illustrations and the words were written in a fun rhyming format.

I won an ARC of the book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Bookworm In Crime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a broadway musical fan and I was so happy when I read this children’s book which was illustrated nicely. Even the background has details that I loved.

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Broadway Baby by Russell Miller and Judith A. Proffer is a cute children's picture book for all the Broadway fans out there. It feels a little like a before bedtime book as the baby main character appears to be dreaming throughout the story. The pictures are nice and portray several aspects of stage life, while the script is rhymey and fun for kids of all ages. I'm always looking for more books about musicals, so I was glad to give this one a try. and it was a solid effort.

[Rachel Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic of the theatre all right here in this little book. As a fellow theatre lover, actress, and youth theatre director this book brings me such joy. It may be a kids book, but it's for all the dreamers. I still feel like this baby sometimes; dreaming about broadway and my name up in lights. :)

It hits all the wonders of performing, from the audition to opening night! There's nothing quite like waiting backstage on opening night, and this book nails that excitement. This story would be wonderful for kids as young as 3 years old! Start developing the love for the theatre and the fine arts at a young age. This adorable little baby is ready for broadway, and maybe yours will be too... one day.

I took one star off because of the picture of the baby wearing a mask. That was completely unnecessary in my opinion and dates it. Let it be a story for any time! People are tired of masks; I definitely didn't want to show my kiddo a picture of a baby in a mask... didn't want to bring up those memories.

Still an adorable book that made me smile and start dreaming about my next role. :)

[Lynn Garbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this to review from the publishers. I found it completely charming! It's such an original idea - a baby dreaming of becoming a Broadway star. The wonderful illustrations by Yoko Matsuoka are delightful, the colour palette is rich and vibrant. Yoko has carefully illustrated sights from NYC and the backstage areas of a traditional theatre. The book has been written by Russell Miller, a British theatre producer, with Judith Proffer, a theatre enthusiast and writer. The rhyming storyline tells us of a cute baby who dreams of being in the spotlight. The baby wants to sing, dance and zing his way across the stage and entertain us with his act. He goes on his imaginary journey to the bright lights of New York where, in his sequined jacket, he fulfils his dream before dropping off to sleep in his crib. A lovely tale for a bedtime (or anytime) read!Broadway Baby

[Ella Dane Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Broadway Baby is so adorable and wonderfully written! The whole time I was reading it, I was smiling from ear to ear. The illustrations are gorgeous and the details are beautifully drawn. The text flows like a song and takes the reader on a journey through all the aspects of Broadway theatre life! Broadway Baby makes stops on stage and off including in the wings, in the orchestra pit and at the Stage Door. The book even includes stops in the ever important prop room and costume shop. The costumes Broadway Baby wears are so cute and remind the reader of iconic costumes from some of Broadway's biggest shows. I wish this book had been around when I was little, because I also dreamed of being on stage. I made my Broadway debut at the age of 4 and relate so much to Broadway Baby's big dreams. Every one who loves theatre should read this adorable and inspiring children's book, because it reminds us to dream big and brings out the theater kid in all of us.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always had a love for musicals but since meeting my spouse we have both grown our love for the theater! Now we are slowly encouraging that love with our children and it has been so fun!

Help foster the love of Broadway with your little ones with Broadway Baby. A little one dreams of his name up in lights. The rehearsal, the costumes, the majestic theaters, this book is such a sweet nod to the industry.

With colorful illustrations, the story takes you not only through the glitz and glamour but also the behind the scenes work and dedication that all broadway actors give. I also appreciated the subtle tribute to all of the actors that really had to put their dreams on hold and then get even more creative to continue their art.

To sum up, this would be the perfect book for every lover of Broadway!

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this inspiring book with it's phenomenal happy up-beat vibe and stunning detailed illustrations. It encourages babies to dream big and follow those dreams and their hearts.

I have always loved the theatre and was a drama teacher myself so this tale is very close to my own heart. "Broadway Baby" is a delightful rhyming book and truly a love letter to glittering Broadway.

It is a celebration of aspiration, imagination and creativity. I highly, highly recommend it. It is a winner and kids will love it!

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun bedtime story! The main character is confident, upbeat, and encourages the reader to follow their dreams. The rhyme and pacing were well done making for an entertaining read for both adults and children. The illustrations are ere colorful and engaging as well.

I also appreciated the vocabulary and phrases used as my five year old was curious to learn showbiz lingo such as “break a leg!”

Thank you to @bookpublicityservices and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very kindly gifted a copy of Broadway Baby so I was more than happy to give it a read and review.

I liked how warm the illustrations felt, making a very cosy read. I also feel the cosiness lends itself to be suited to a young child being read to, as it is less plot-driven, and more of an optimistic and inspirational telling of dreams. The mixed-media illustrations were interesting and added to the book's dreamlike, slightly surreal quality. I particularly loved the scenes behind the stage, looking at the costumes and the props!

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: An adorable tribute to Broadway with a baby dreaming of dancing and singing on stage. Baby shares about opening night, getting ready in the dressing room, and reviewing lines before going on stage.

The rhyming text is fun and exciting. The illustrations are bright and full of detail.

Comments: A cute bedtime story for babies and toddlers or the perfect gift for any music or drama teacher.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

*It should be noted that this a complimentary book sent to me for an honest review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

It was bright, colourful and really engaging

I loved the narrative and the illustrations were perfect.

I have been lucky enough to visit Broadway a couple of times and this book showcases all the glitz and glamour in a few pages.

It is a lovely little book and would be great as a keepsake for any children lucky enough to go there too.

It is 5 stars from me to this one – it really is a love letter to Broadway!

[Mother Goose Librarian]

Miller and Proffer have teamed up to create this engaging, rhyming picture book about a baby who dreams of being on Broadway. Readers will not only enjoy the story but they will also learn about the behind the scenes happening on Broadway. Bold and vibrant illustrations bring readers to the stage with baby. Broadway Baby will be the perfect addition to a theater and performance themed story time or a whimsical read aloud to children about to attend a theatrical performance.

[Enchanted Literacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book release that is endearing for anyone entranced by musical theater with reference to the classics. This rhyming story could inspire the youngest of us to take on the show. Broadway Baby is the story of a little one who dreams of being a star. As he imagines dancing, singing, dressing up, and taking the stage he slowly puts himself to sleep with what we can only imagine to be dreams of belting out the greatest hits and tapping the night away.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this to my two boys and they absolutely loved it! It was a fun read about a baby and his big dreams of going to New York and performing on broadway. The story had an easy flow with lots of rhythms and the illustrations were amazing. With so much to look at on each page, my littles very much enjoyed pointing out different things in the pictures. Thank you so much to Book Publicity for this amazing book that I could share with my kids.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is way too cute; it's about a baby who dreams of being on Broadway. And since it's written in verse, it feels almost like a song. The illustrations are so intricate - tons of fun little details I can't wait to see on full-size pages. It's also a lovely reminder of the power of live theater, and how some people have that love from a young age.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broadway Baby by Russell Miller and Judith A. Proffer was an adorable little love letter to the Great White Way, with references to classic shows like Oklahoma! and Cabaret. The illustrations were sweet, with a lot of visual references to musical theater and the text was simple enough to be a good read-aloud for kids or adults.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.