Baby Talk

From Barnes & Noble

Acclaimed baby photographer Margaret Miller snaps a trove of adorable toddlers in this winsome board book about first words. Part of the Look Baby! series, this simple charmer introduces tots to six easy words -- "Hi," "No!," "Mine!," "Cheese," "Okay," and "Bye" -- with each spread featuring one word and an extreme close-up photo of a bright-eyed infant to illustrate the word's meaning. Notable spreads include "No!" with a blonde-haired child pouting into the camera; "Cheese," which shows a smiling baby saying the word; and "Okay," featuring a heart-melting baby looking utterly agreeable. All of the photos are warm and welcoming, and with its easy, eye-catching design, this winner is bound to keep your children fascinated as you speak the words, helping them begin their journey to learning speech.

Children's Literature

Here comes another addition to Margaret Miller's prolific "Look Baby!" series. These consist of board books with six spreads offering baby his or her first words. The series runs the gamut of colors, faces, food, and a first peek-a-boo—all presented with full-page baby photos with an appropriate-to-expression simple word in a huge type face. This particular book explores "Hi," "No!" "Mine!" "Cheese," "Okay," and"Bye." Miller chooses her babies well, being careful to include a cross section of every possible color and race. The book is sturdy and should survive the sticky fingers and sharp new teeth of any number of siblings. 2004, Little Simon, Ages 6 mo. to 3.
—Kathleen Karr