Baby Says

Baby Says follows the interactions between a toddler and his older brother during a typical morning at home. The simple story captures the perspective of both siblings. The book's illustrations show the two boys through close-up views, focusing on their facial expressions and body language. John Steptoe's artwork brings the brothers' relationship dynamics to life through his realistic drawing style. The straightforward text highlights universal elements of early childhood sibling dynamics - the different ways young children communicate, express needs, and show affection. Steptoe offers insight into how small children interpret and respond to each other within the family unit.

Readers highlight this book's accurate portrayal of toddler-sibling interactions and simple format that appeals to very young children. Parents note their babies point and respond to the expressive illustrations of the baby character. Likes: - Brief text matches toddlers' attention spans - Shows realistic brother dynamics - Clear, relatable facial expressions - Sturdy board book format - Representation of Black families Dislikes: - Some find it too short/basic - Limited plot development - Dated illustration style (1988) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) Select Reviews: "Perfect for babies learning first words" - Goodreads reviewer "My 11-month-old loves pointing at the baby's face" - Amazon parent "Could be longer, but captures sibling relationship perfectly" - School Library Journal reader review "The simplicity works for toddlers but older kids need more story" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 Published in 1988, this was John Steptoe's last book before his untimely death at age 38. 🌟 The book features authentic interactions between siblings based on Steptoe's observations of his own children. 🌟 The simple yet expressive illustrations capture real toddler body language and facial expressions, making it highly relatable for young readers. 🌟 John Steptoe taught himself to draw as a child and published his first book, "Stevie," at just 16 years old. 🌟 The book uses only 9 different words throughout the entire story, making it perfect for beginning readers while still telling a complete and engaging tale.