Suddenly one by Sam Mac. Illus. by Deb Hudson

A book of firsts to make any adult reading it go weak at the knees as they recognise the firsts that their babies achieved. And children will love reading of the milestones in their lives, the same firsts for them and their friends as they learnt to navigate the world they live in.

Each page, with its softly pastel images of a small children soaking up all the things they need to know, practicing and watching, laughing and smiling, seeing what is in the world around them will recall for all readers the steps they have made as they approach one and for older readers they can recall the steps they made in their young lives.

We see a baby being welcomed into the household, that first kiss and first hold. Then the first cry, and the first eye contact, first bath and the first laugh. Celebrations such as the first time grandparents are involved, or the first Christmas, are followed by the first swim and the first flight. Meeting animals is always a first, and meeting friends comes along as the baby learns to interact. Pages of firsts are followed by pages of lasts: the last time you need help to hold the bottle, or the last the baby was swaddled, and the last time they fitted into their onsie.

And at the end of the book, images show what the child will achieve in the future. Today you walk, but tomorrow you will run.

This time goes very quickly, as the last page says, ‘our precious newborn, suddenly one’. The baby has achieved so much in that first year, and birthdays when they come around are precious, but seem to come upon the family suddenly, no matter what age is achieved.

This is a warm hearted look at what a baby achieves during its first year of life. We easily forget the huge range of things they learnt to do, the steps they master, the growth they go through. The gentle words are easily read out loud and older children will love looking at the milestones of their lives as well.

Themes: Babies, Development, Humour, Verse.

Fran Knight