Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Photographs of wild animal babies—sometimes alone and sometimes with family members—are accompanied by simple text about their mobility.From the cover's elephants and the leaping lemurs on the title page on through the endpapers (where the photographer introduces herself), the richness of the color photographs compels readers to keep reading and gazing. The first double-page spread, which shows a newborn zebra—coat still damp and ragged but already upright—explains that some baby animals come into the world ready to move, while others need help at first. "Let's follow these baby animals and see how they get around!" Each photograph is accompanied by facts about a different animal's mobility as a baby, including a wonderful double-page spread that shows a mother bear giving a piggyback ride to three cubs, noting that baby bears can be afraid of water. And who knew that when sloths make their weekly descent from trees, it's primarily "to poop!" Although simple, the text effortlessly introduces vocabulary through context—words such as "foal," "predators," and "pod" (of whales). Phrases with exclamation marks and audience-conscious remarks such as "Quick, quick, little piggies!" and "See you later, orcas!" keep the age level to preschool and primary grades. Kudos to the author for balancing the baby animals' sexes when she uses pronouns. A winning combination of animal facts and outstanding nature photography. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

ALA Booklist (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Taking advantage of the affinity that young children feel for baby animals, this attractive book features a dozen creatures: zebra, orangutan, black-necked stilt, egret, warthog, sea otter, lion, kangaroo, koala, elephant, bear, and orca. Each single or double-page presentation features at least one large photo of the little ones, often with a parent or a family group. A little orangutan rides piggyback, leaning into his mother as she swings through trees. A tiny elephant walks within the safety of his herd. Warm and dry, a sea otter pup rests on his mother's belly while she floats on her back. Taken in the wild, the photographs are excellent. Accompanying each scene, the text briefly remarks on the young animals' lives and sometimes addresses them directly with words such as "Hold on tight!" or "See you later, orcas!" On the final double-page spread, illustrated with eight smaller photos, Eszterhas introduces herself, her work as a wildlife photographer, and a few more baby animals. The companion volume, Baby Animals Playing (2017), will appeal to the same audience.

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Noted wildlife photographer Eszterhas (Baby Animals Playing) returns to document wild baby animals on the move: some self-propelling (zebras, orcas), others needing help from adults (a lion cub carried in its mother's mouth, a baby otter riding on its mother's belly). Sharp, clear photos feature close-up shots of the animal babies; the brief text functions mainly as captions.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Photographs of wild animal babies—sometimes alone and sometimes with family members—are accompanied by simple text about their mobility.From the cover's elephants and the leaping lemurs on the title page on through the endpapers (where the photographer introduces herself), the richness of the color photographs compels readers to keep reading and gazing. The first double-page spread, which shows a newborn zebra—coat still damp and ragged but already upright—explains that some baby animals come into the world ready to move, while others need help at first. "Let's follow these baby animals and see how they get around!" Each photograph is accompanied by facts about a different animal's mobility as a baby, including a wonderful double-page spread that shows a mother bear giving a piggyback ride to three cubs, noting that baby bears can be afraid of water. And who knew that when sloths make their weekly descent from trees, it's primarily "to poop!" Although simple, the text effortlessly introduces vocabulary through context—words such as "foal," "predators," and "pod" (of whales). Phrases with exclamation marks and audience-conscious remarks such as "Quick, quick, little piggies!" and "See you later, orcas!" keep the age level to preschool and primary grades. Kudos to the author for balancing the baby animals' sexes when she uses pronouns. A winning combination of animal facts and outstanding nature photography. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this companion to Baby Animals Playing, wildlife photographer Eszterhas features 12 species of young animals. An orangutan clings to its mother-s fur, warthog piglets run through the grass, and a joey travels in its mother-s pouch. Eszterhas pairs the photographs with playful descriptions: -Hold on tight! A cute koala hitches a ride on Mom-s back. By the time she turns one she will climb trees all by herself.- In another photo, a sea otter pup snuggles up to his mother as she swims on her back (-What a cozy way to travel!-). In a closing spread, Eszterhas includes additional photos and insights into her process: -I had to climb high up a tree in the rain forest of Costa Rica to snap a photo of this sleepy baby and its mom,- she writes about two sloths. Eszterhas-s respect and affection for her subjects shines through in her dynamic, expertly framed images. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)