School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-A contemporary Metis child and his family are shown as the child grows from infancy to toddlerhood. Joy in life and the world about them are lovingly depicted in spare, but evocative text that is paired with Flett's exquisite mixed-media illustrations. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Van Camp composes a lyrical ode to a newborn child, which is matched in its loveliness by Flett's exquisite, collage-like images of a young one with his or her parents. Both collaborators are of aboriginal Canadian descent, and the book will have particular appeal for families looking for nonwhite representations of tender family moments. But families of every size, shape, and background can appreciate sentiments like, "You are life and breath adored/ You are us and so much more/ Little ember with growing light/ Feel our love as we hold you tight." Up to age 3. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
A mother and father profess their love for their little one. With Van Camp's spare second-person verse on the left-hand page and Flett's graphic art in various shades of red, orange, tan, gray, black and orange against a white background on the facing page, the spreads lovingly depict a young child growing from infancy to toddlerhood. The young tyke (gender unknown) is almost always pictured with one or both parents as the babe dances with mommy, rides with dad in a boat and explores the natural world. The text has the gentle cadence of a lullaby: "Little star / with little wings // Let's all dance / let's all sing." Flett, who is of Cree Mtis heritage, gives each character tawny skin, almond-shaped eyes and dark hair. This, combined with her sophisticated and simple style, allows her featured family to represent relatively broad branches of the human family. The art, with the look of cut-paper collage, uses curved forms and playful prints to flesh out the affectionate tableaux. Some of the image and verse pairs are quite sophisticated (such as the line "You are mighty / you are small" paired with the image of the small baby seated on the beach but casting a very long shadow) and may go over little ones' heads, but the soothing rhythms of the language and the affection of the scenes are right on target. A poetic and joyful celebration. (Board book. 3-18 mos.)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Both the language and artwork is sophisticated in this board book that welcomes a new child into the world and explains how important he or she is to their parents. Ultimately, it does not matter whether the listening toddler understands every word. There is a smoothness and softness to both the message and the rhythm of the text, to which little ones will respond: You are life / and breath adored. You are us / and so much more. The collage-style art featuring an Asian family has a warm elegance that parents will enjoy and whimsical touches that will appeal to children.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
