Grandmother's Song

A new baby is a special gift. In this glorious, warm, and lyrical tribute to life and its cycles, the birth of a baby, her growth, and the birth of her baby are celebrated in a way that will touch all hearts.

Rain and moon, kittens and fish,

snow and grass, elphants

and honey,

I give them to you.

I give them all

to your mother

and you.

Children's Literature

In this saccharinely sweet, sentimental reflection about the joy and wonder of a new life, a grandmother recalls how "long, long ago, when kittens were soft...a baby lay curled inside my belly." That baby, dearly loved, grew up. And not so long ago, another baby grew inside the daughter's belly, and "inside my heart." That is the grandson this story celebrates, as the author passes the gifts of this earth onto him. One wonders where the daddies are, and how a granddaughter would feel hearing this very personal tale. Rossi's pastels fill the double pages with appropriately fuzzy, suggestive shapes of people and accompanying birds, branches, bucolic landscape, or just a lush blue environment. The babies are adorable, and mothers Madonna-like in their loving gazes. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 1 to 4, $16.00. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the New York Times bestseller My Mother Is Mine. Her other titles include A Mama for Owen, If You Were Born a Kitten, Grandmother's Song, and the forthcoming Thank You for Me! Marion is on the faculty of the Vermont College MFA program in writing for children and young adults. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and can be reached at mariondanebauer.com.