Reading Rumpus: Babymoon by Hayley Barrett with illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal

Publisher's Synopsis: "Inside the cozy house, a baby has arrived! The world is eager to meet the newcomer, but there will be time enough for that later. Right now, the family is on its babymoon: cocooning, connecting, learning, and muddling through each new concern. While the term “babymoon” is often used to refer to a parents’ getaway before the birth of a child, it was originally coined by midwives to describe days like these: at home with a newborn, with the world held at bay and the wonder of a new family constellation unfolding. Paired with warm and winsome illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal, Hayley Barrett’s lyrical ode to these tender first days will resonate with new families everywhere."

My Two Cents: Babymoon's lyrical prose and quiet illustrations allow readers to feel as if they are tip-toeing through a newborn’s first days with Mom & Dad. The rhyming cadence and matching joy-filled glow of the illustrations have the effect of a lullaby.
Both sweetly enamored, and a bit apprehensive, the new parents bask in the glow of baby. Even the family dog and cat mirror the daze. From its opening lines, "The house is hushed. The lights are low. We’re basking in a newborn glow," Babymoon draws readers into the beautiful and diverse little family's babymoon.
The first page contains a gift template making Babymoon absolutely perfect as a baby shower or new arrival gift. I could see this picture book also enticing young children with a new sibling in the house.

-----------------------------------------------

Genre: Picture Book
Age: Probably adults as much as children, but 2-5 officially
Pages: 32
Date: March 14, 2019
ISBN: 0763688523
Thank You to LibraryThing & Candlewick Press for my gorgeous copy!
Themes: New baby, Parental Love, Family
Character: Parents are simply a reflection of the love and joy they feel for their baby
Plot: Not that kind of book. Basically, just basking in that aforementioned glow
Originality: I had not heard the term babymoon, but I think it may rise to higher use after this sweet book.
Believability: Yep, parents are not all easy and glow; they are apprehensive, uncertain, and pensive at times
Diversity: Very good. Lighter-skinned father, darker-skinned mother, gender neutral baby. Quiet joy of breastfeeding depicted.

BUY Babymoon HERE

Read more about author Hayley Barrett HERE.
Read more about illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal HERE.

--------------- That's all folks! ---------------

Babymoon by Hayley Barrett with illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal - Book Review