Bobo and the New Baby

November 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Bobo is a small brown dog who likes living with the Lees very much. He spends most of his time sleeping, going on trips with his owners, and chasing the mailman. Bobo's life changes when he is introduced to a new baby. This book is filled with repetition, which gives the narrative a songlike rhythm. The dog's large round eyes communicate feelings of disappointment, determination, and happiness throughout. The graphic-art style illustrations and soft warm palette add to the book's appeal. Shadows and lines are often utilized to illustrate character movement. The faces of Bobo's owners are not shown until the end of the book, which allows readers to focus attention on Bobo. Young readers will be able to relate to the pup when they are introduced to new family members. VERDICT This sweet, reassuring title illustrates that changes within a family can be positive for all involved, despite possible challenges along the way.-Deanna Smith, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2017
Bobo loves his life with Mr. and Mrs. Lee, until one day....Bobo, a sweater-clad dachshund, has everything: plenty of places to snooze, lots of fun things to chase, and "what he likes most in the world": Mr. and Mrs. Lee. But when the Lees come home with a baby, Bobo's world is turned upside down. At every turn, he hears, "Not now, Bobo!" Is there enough room in this family for Bobo and the new baby? Debut author Huang's text is effectively spare, with just enough repetition and structure for young readers and listeners, and her thoughtful illustrations shine. She cleverly conceals Mr. and Mrs. Lee's faces until the conclusion, keeping the focus on Bobo. With bright eyes and a deft stroke of a mouth, he is, in turn, blissful, smug, patient, persistent, dejected, and finally, besotted--an utterly accessible and appealing protagonist. A collage of soft colors, loose patterns, and faded textures creates a setting both familiar and fresh. Mr. and Mrs. Lee, with their dark hair, dark eyes, and common Asian last name, appear subtly East Asian, further distinguishing this telling of a common tale.A sweetly satisfying addition to the family of new-sibling books. (Picture book. 3-8)

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January 1, 2019
Bobo the dog likes having Mr. and Mrs. Lee's undivided attention, but after the couple's new baby arrives, they start shooing him away. When Bobo chases a bee ("He will not let it hurt the baby!"), the parents recognize his good intentions and introduce him to Baby Lee. Huang's clean linocut and digital-mixed-media illustrations cleverly reflect Bobo's feelings in this satisfying twist on the new-sibling story.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)