Helen Oxenbury's illustrations are incredible, the way the people seem to have real weight and personality. I especially love the baby, and there's one drawing of him holding his teddy bear, wrapped in his blanket, with his thumb in his mouth, which is EXACTLY the way my son looks when he's tired and sleepy, getting ready for bed. Of course, my son's Asian/Jewish, not African American, but this book is truly universal.


Shame about the fighting...   July 3, 2006
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

We have this book at our local child care centre. I love the rhythm of the language and I love the illustrations and my little boy does too. What I don't like is the "pow-pow", "I want to fight the baby" part. It's not an idea that I want to encourage at all - some good natured wrestling can be fun, of course, but it needs a lot of explanation. All of the carers naturally substitute other words to illustrate the story; usually I say that the boys want to tickle the baby. Parents and carers who want to promote a less violent world should be aware of this.


Toddler loves this   March 15, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My 2.5 year old loves this book. He sat still all the way through the very first reading. He especially loves to chime in "Ding Dong". The rhythm of the book is lovely.