This is the Baby, wrinkled and gray. This is the Baby, born today. A baby's birth is always cause for celebration, and this baby elephant's family welcomes their new little one with gusto. Basking in its mother's love, the new-born's arrival is announced to the world by its trumpeting herd. It is doted on by adoring aunts and bathed in a cool lagoon with curious cousins. Under the shade of the ancient banyan trees, the rest of the forest comes alive to revel in the new arrival, and all in all, it is a truly joyous day when this majestic creature begins its life on earth. Finally, the cherished baby, safe under the smiling moon and sparkling stars, drifts contentedly to sleep. Review: Glowing . . . gorgeous artwork lushly illuminates the day of an elephant s birth. . . . The expressions on the elephant faces are sheer joy to behold; the elephant smiles are realistic and yet radiate affection. Seemingly simple, this gentle rhyming story works on two levels: the playfulness of the young elephant and its friends ensure that young children will be able to see themselves in the story, and given the depiction of the natural

at least some young readers will become fascinated with the lives of elephants as well. . . . The soft cadence of the rhyming verses and the joyous pictures of the elephants will make this a bedtime favorite. Kirkus Reviews The soft, gently repetitive text quickly establishes a soothing message of love and acceptance. . . . Bajaj focuses on a female-centric cast of elephants, subtly referencing their matriarchal societies, and glancing mentions of monkeys and peacocks give a fuller look at the book s Indian setting. . . . Wheeler evokes a lush environment of towering banyan trees and dense vegetation, helping create another personified character in the setting. It s an intimate and celebratory look at the early days of an elephant s life, and a reminder that human births are pretty special, too. Publishers Weekly A newborn elephant is celebrated in a timeless manner by its herd and other animals in a wild Indian environment. . . . The landscape . . . is peaceful and lively. Scenes of the baby happily splashing in the water and sitting high atop a rock while gazing at the nighttime stars are especially fun and sweet. Rich vocabulary and

artwork are sure to delight readers and young listeners. School Library Journal