When the Babies Came to Stay
Bradley’s enchanting illustrations depict a diverse cast, including people of color among the islanders, babies, and toys, and place it in a well-realized island setting. - Kirkus Reviews
The first baby arrived on the mail plane, the second two on the ferry, the fourth asleep on a pile of nets, smelling of mackerel. Who were the babies? Where did they come from? The notes left with them said "Please keep this baby safe" and "Please give my child shelter." Only the librarian can take them home, and the library is where they grow up. The whole island helps to raise them. The fisherman teaches them to cast from the pier, the ferryman shows them charts of the sea, and from the harbormaster they learn to recognize birds.
"Who are you?" other children ask. "Why don't you look alike?" The librarian gathers them in her arms. "Families don't always look alike," she says. "And where we're going is more important than where we came from."
This charming, lighthearted fairytale contains a message of acceptance that is particularly significant for our time.
"Who are you?" other children ask. "Why don't you look alike?" The librarian gathers them in her arms. "Families don't always look alike," she says. "And where we're going is more important than where we came from."
This charming, lighthearted fairytale contains a message of acceptance that is particularly significant for our time.
Author: Christine McDonnell
Illustrator: Jeanette Bradley
ISBN: 978-1-9848-3545-1
Publisher: Viking
Buy Now: IndieBound, Bookshop.org, signed copies at Books on the Square
Illustrator: Jeanette Bradley
ISBN: 978-1-9848-3545-1
Publisher: Viking
Buy Now: IndieBound, Bookshop.org, signed copies at Books on the Square
The Buzz
More Praise for When the Babies Came to Stay
This delightful tale is the embodiment of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” - SLJ
"Charming pastel illustrations, which are digitally painted, vary from vignettes to single pages and spreads, revealing the cozy living arrangements. Life above the library, sleeping in cribs made from lobster traps, and learning about all the wonders of the island combine to create an idyllic childhood. VERDICT This delightful tale is the embodiment of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
–Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI School Library Journal
"This is a lovely story about family and about a community that welcomes in four little babies in need of a home. The soft illustrations are a perfect match for the gentle text -this will be a wonderful story to snuggle up with and share with little ones."
- Sandy Scott at Galaxy Bookshop
“An absolutely charming and timely story about the power of community, accepting those who need help, building the family you need, and welcoming new people into our lives regardless of where they came from or how they got there. Combined with beautiful illustrations, WHEN THE BABIES CAME TO STAY will make a powerful addition to any storytime this spring.”
- Beth Seufer Buss from Bookmarks
"Charming pastel illustrations, which are digitally painted, vary from vignettes to single pages and spreads, revealing the cozy living arrangements. Life above the library, sleeping in cribs made from lobster traps, and learning about all the wonders of the island combine to create an idyllic childhood. VERDICT This delightful tale is the embodiment of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
–Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI School Library Journal
"This is a lovely story about family and about a community that welcomes in four little babies in need of a home. The soft illustrations are a perfect match for the gentle text -this will be a wonderful story to snuggle up with and share with little ones."
- Sandy Scott at Galaxy Bookshop
“An absolutely charming and timely story about the power of community, accepting those who need help, building the family you need, and welcoming new people into our lives regardless of where they came from or how they got there. Combined with beautiful illustrations, WHEN THE BABIES CAME TO STAY will make a powerful addition to any storytime this spring.”
- Beth Seufer Buss from Bookmarks