November 09, 2012
Have you ever noticed that it’s rare to find picture books with images of babies at the breast or cradled in a carrier? Stop by any bookstore and you’re bound to notice the omission. Though there certainly isn’t anything wrong with cribs and bottles, I’d also love to see more imagery of babywearing, cosleeping, and breastfeeding in children’s books…to help normalize these wonderful practices for little ones.
Illustrator Marla Frazee has done a particularly outstanding job in this category. Take, for example, “Everywhere Babies” – a book that features all of the amazing things that babies do – including being carried by their parents all around town. Written by Susan Meyers, the rhyming text is sure to immediately captivate young ones (and parents too).
Another splendid story is “The Seven Silly Eaters” by Mary Ann Hoberman. Parents will sympathize with Mrs. Peters desperate plight to please her very picky eaters and kids will roar with laughter at the sheer absurdity of the situation. Sprinkled throughout are glorious illustrations of pregnancy, baby care, and the happy chaos of a home full of children.
Are you an artist or a poet? Whether or not you have kids in the house, you will undoubtedly appreciate the prose and the pictures in “All the World” by Liz Garton Scanlon. The tone is peaceful. The message is hopeful. The illustrations move this book beyond a children’s book to an elegant coffee table book. Enjoy serene depictions of gardens, breastfeeding, rainstorms, friendship, and…babies in carriers!
We also recently stumbled up “Waiting for the Biblioburro” at our public library – a lovely book about a little girl named Ana and a heroic traveling librarian. One page feature’s Ana’s little brother, perched contentedly on his mama’s back as she gardens.
What children’s books do you know of that feature babywearing images?