Horn Book (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Animal babies (hippo, crocodile, koala, etc.) request rides from their mothers. "Mommy Hippo, / carry me please / on your back / to keep me dry." On the last pages, a human child says, "Mommy, Mommy, / carry me please... / and hug me / in your arms." Bright, uncluttered illustrations with large animal shapes give the book considerable toddler appeal.

Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Cabrera's latest offering details the many ways, and in some cases, the reasons why, animal Mommies carry their babies. All sorts of animals from all kinds of habitats are represented here, among them hippo and lemur, kangaroo, beaver and spider. "Mommy Penguin, / carry me please / on your feet / to keep me warm." Readers will appreciate the varied reasons the babies give for wanting to be carried. Safety, warmth, travel and comfort top the list. Some, however, will leave youngsters wondering: Crocodile baby wants to be carried on his mother's teeth "just for fun." Others give no reason at all. The little boy who ends this sweet parent-child celebration, though, leaves no doubt as to his reasons. "Mommy, Mommy, / carry me please . . . / and hug me / in your arms." His facial expression speaks volumes. Vibrant background colors, large figures, minimal detail and bold, visible brush strokes comprise the kid-appealing artwork that will keep the focus on the Mommy-child interaction. Sure to carry the day. (Picture book. 2-5)

School Library Journal (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

PreS-Gr 1-On each spread of this warm lapsit book, a baby animal asks its mother to "carry me please." Each mother accommodates by transporting the youngster in that animal's special way: lemur under its belly, kangaroo in a pouch, tiger in its mouth, crocodile in teeth, penguin on its feet, and so on until the cozy ending when a human child is carried in the mother's arms. The art features Cabrera's trademark breezy, blocky, and bold animals in bright and energetic colors that focus children's eye and attention. This will be useful as a read-alone for beginning readers as well as a welcome addition to simple science collections for the toddler set.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.