Jane Cabrera makes lovely, lovely picture books. Her illustrated versions of traditional children’s songs work beautifully in baby and toddler storytimes, and are so much fun to share with families.
I recently came across one of her newest titles, Peek-a-boo Zoo, and while it isn’t technically classified as a poetry book, its wonderful rhythm and rhyme have earned it its own Poetry Friday post!
This is such a fun baby time book! The common refrain “Peek-a-Boo, Baby, Peek-a-Boo…” is so bouncy and wonderfully rhythmic – in a previous babytime session I had caregivers bounce their babies on their laps as I read the story, and it worked like a charm!
Cabrera’s signature oil paintings are colourful and adorable – once you’re familiar with her style, you’d recognize it anywhere!
It’s no secret that children’s librarians LOVE picture books that effectively utilize rhythm and rhyme, and with good reason. Rhythmic texts are famous for soothing for babies, who were first introduced to the rhythm of their mother’s heartbeat while in the womb, and picture books with a great sense of rhythm can help children develop rhythmic language. Rhyme and repetition have long been celebrated as crucial tools in helping children develop strong early literacy skills, and can also just make story time a whole lot more fun! So when I come a picture book that features rhythm, rhyme and repetition, and is cute and short to boot, I just can’t help but celebrate!
Peek-a-boo Zoo! is a very sweet, short, simple rhyming picture book with a great bouncy rhythm that’s perfect for babies and toddlers. Definitely worth checking out!
This one looks like a great baby gift! I’ll have to check it out.
Books are always the best gifts!
What an enticing review, Jane! And I would love to sit in on one of your library sessions; it sounds like you do a fabulous job.
Thank you for introducing me to this author and illustrator. I have friends with new babies in the family and I love to find unique books for new babies. This is adorable!
Jane Cabrera has a lot of great picture books that are wonderful for babies!
This looks like a new and perfect gift for new babies, Jane. And as they get older, they will learn all those animals, too! Thanks for sharing this fun book!
You’re welcome! I’ve got a lot of new babies in my friend group right now, so I’m always looking for great books to share with them too.
This looks charming–thanks for highlighting it!
You’re welcome! I love sharing great books, both at work and at home.
So clever and inviting! I hadn’t seen this either – thanks for sharing. I’m sure your sessions are magical for those little ones and their parents or caregivers – such thought and care you put into that precious time for them.
They’re such a highlight of my week – it’s so lovely to be able to support new families in my community.
Love the illustrations in it, too!
Cabrera’s got just a fun, unique art style!
Hooray for rhythm, rhyme, repetition and…CUTENESS!
I’ll write up an order card and pass it along to my co-worker who does Toddler Time. Thanks for introducing this title! Here’s a title we recently received; I liked it and think it would be good for a little bit older audience: The Friend Ship by Kat Yeh.
I can just picture a magical read aloud with those parents/caregivers and babies bouncing along to this joyful text. Delightful!
That sounds like a perfect book for reading aloud at storytime for the youngest listeners. I remember how much my daughter loved rhythmic, rhyming books at that early age.
Aww, how cute! That does look like a good baby gift.
How adorable is that! Great find, Jane!
Gorgeous post and great links. Thank-you! #reasonstorhyme #LOVErhymingPBs
Oh, I love it! #reasonstorhyme is my new favourite hashtag!
This looks like a terrific book for my library.
It is! Jane Cabrera’s books are a definite must have, so cute and fun!
Adorable. I love a good rhyming book, too.