View source for Animal Babies by Laura Barwick

{{infobox2
|title=Animal Babies
|author=Laura Barwick
|reviewer= Louise Jones
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary= So much more than a 'picture book', ''Animal Babies'' showcases nature at its finest , and cutest, moments.
|rating=4.5
|buy=yes
|borrow=yes
|pages=160
|publisher=BBC Books
|date=August 2016
|isbn=9781785941009
|website=
|video=
|aznuk=1785941003
|aznus=1785941003
|cover=1785941003
}}

Let's face it: with a fluffy lion cub on the cover, inviting readers to take a peek inside, only the most hard-hearted of individuals could resist the temptation to pick up ''Animal Babies'' to explore the further delights within its pages. Once hooked, the reader is rewarded with a visual feast of adorable baby creatures, each page seemingly cuter than the last.

As can be expected from a publication bearing the BBC logo, the book simply oozes quality. This glossy hardback is surprisingly thick for a 'picture book' at 160 pages, and the full-colour, high-resolution images are absolutely stunning. Many of the images are spread over two pages, for an even greater impact. I was fascinated by the way that, in many of the photographs, the subject seems to be staring directly into the camera lens; creating an instant connection with the reader.

The book showcases baby animals at various stages of their 'childhood'. From their initial dramatic entrance into the world, we then see them taking their first steps, enjoying food and making new friends. The photographs, quite rightly, take prominence on each page, but each picture is accompanied by a small piece of text to educate, inform and entertain. The text is small and the wording is perhaps geared toward an older audience and may be challenging to younger readers, but it is both well-written and informative.

''Baby Animals'' would make a lovely gift for any young animal lover and readers will want to pick up the book time and time again to enjoy the adorable pictures inside. The entire book shows what a beautiful and diverse world we live in and what a beautiful array of creatures we have the privilege of sharing it with. Many thanks to the publishers for my review copy.

Those who enjoyed ''Animal Babies'' will love [[Elephant by Suzi Eszterhas]], a visually-impressive story of the journey of a baby elephant into adulthood.

{{amazontext|amazon=1785941003}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=1785941003}}

{{commenthead}}
[[Category:Children's Non-Fiction]]