Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Jeanette Hulick Fox, Mem Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes; illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Harcourt, 200840p ISBN 978-0-15-206057-2 $16.00 Ad 6-24 mos. A multicultural assortment of babies parades across the pages of this picture book, each of them with the requisite "ten little fingers and ten little toes," despite whatever cultural or racial differences they may possess. Each iteration of the nursery-rhyme-like text begins with a pairing of babies ("There was one little baby who was born far away// And another who was born on the very next day"), always united by their shared number of digits. The last baby described is the narrator's own, who not only has ten little fingers and toes, but also "three little kisses on the tip of its nose," inviting some sweet parent/child snuggling. The story is pleasant enough, but it's rather banal, and its length and viewpoint are likelier to please adults than little ones. Oxenbury's watercolor babies, however, retain their usual cozy and individual charm. A range of skin tones and dress (or undress) is depicted, and little ones will likely enjoy looking at the attractive, smiling baby faces. Global Babies (with basic text and bright photos of babies around the world) or Oxenbury's classic board-book collection (All Fall Down, Tickle Tickle, both BCCB 11/87, etc.) offer more engaging texts with a similar multicultural appeal, but this would be fine for a parent-baby lap session or a baby storytime. Copyright © 2009 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois