The joy of new life and precious firsts shared throughout the animal kingdom.In simple, rhyming text, the story of the early days of babies' lives plays out along with gentle illustrations. Wolf pups howl with their pack, while a giraffe calf takes its first awkward steps. Readers will find familiar animals such as rabbits and horses alongside those that might be lesser known, including the loon. The book ends with images of human children taking part in accomplishments such as first steps; a narrator promises to "be beside you wherever you go. // Cheering with wonder and joy… / as you grow." On each spread, readers will find a brief fact; for instance, baby rabbits don't open their eyes until 10 days after they're born. The balance between the flow of the concise, rhyming text and the factual information makes for a book that children will continue to appreciate as they grow. Little ones and their caregivers can read it straight through or linger and learn a bit more while also scoping out the appended "Animal Milestones" section for further information. The animals look like snuggly stuffed toys come to life rather than realistic wild creatures, but that only adds to the appeal. The few people depicted at the end have varied skin tones and hair colors.A sweet read that will grow with readers while tugging on their heartstrings. (Picture book. 0-3)