It's a little baby by Julia Donaldson

Ill. by Rebecca Cobb. Macmillan, 2016. ISBN 9781447251811
(Age: 0-3) This is a lift-the-flap rhyming story/song aimed at very young children. The hardy board book with thick flaps perfect for little fingers will withstand some rough treatment. Unlike many other song/story publications, this one works well both read and sung because of its simplicity and its ability to be sung with multiple tunes. It is about babies and for babies and encourages the reader to find the baby on each page by lifting the flaps. In addition, it speaks directly to the child and gives them an active part in the story by asking them to do the actions (point, clap, wave, etc). Don't expect a long Julia Donaldson rhyming story; this is a predictable, repetitive text ('Somebody's hiding. I wonder who. It's a little baby and she's... at you. Can you... ? Can you... ? Can you... too?'). The illustrations are soft and almost childlike in their scribbly-ness and show babies hiding in places familiar to most children (in the washing basket, in the shopping bags, in the toys, behind the tall grass, behind the sandcastle). At the end the entire song is printed on one page and another page says 'it's your turn!' and again encourages the reader to do the actions. This is great for young babies as it includes some of the first visual language they engage in. The song, also performed by Julia Donaldson, is easy to access via the QR code printed on the cover of the book or by going to the website, but it is also easy enough to make up a tune and sing along.
Overall, this is a simple and enjoyable high-quality production.
Nicole Nelson