My Sunbeam Baby (Emma Quay, ABC Books)

My Sunbeam Baby is a sweet picture book written and illustrated by Emma Quay. Combining playful illustrations with rhyming text, the narrator explores all the ways she loves her baby using a range of metaphors that will appeal to children and adults alike, such as lollipops, cuddly toys and moonbeams. Each idea is brought to life with bright and colourful illustrations. Quay has used a variety of techniques—including acrylic paints, watercolours, crayons, feathers and toothbrushes—to make wonderfully detailed artwork that both parents and children could spend ages poring over. My Sunbeam Baby would make a great present for expectant parents, particularly those who already have young children. Quay is a prolific author and illustrator of children’s picture books; people looking to buy for children aged between 2-4 years will no doubt be familiar with her award-winning book Rudie Nudie, and other titles such as Shrieking Violet and Bear and Chook. My Sunbeam Baby is a playful addition to Quay’s body of work—her use of rhyme and colour make this an approachable and engaging read for young ones, while the theme of a parent’s love will appeal to all ages.

Amy Nicholls-Diver is a project editor from Melbourne

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