CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 1990)
Affectionate names for active toddlers (Little Guy, Little Pumpkin and Little Bird); exploratory activities emphasizing basic human features (belly button, toes and eyes); repetitive baby-focused narratives centered on three times of every toddler's day (waking up, being up and falling asleep); three loving adults guiding and caring for the babies (a daddy, a grandma and a mama); and color triads expressing the emotionally rich short pieces which "catch up" listeners and receivers are all combined in exuberantly unified paintings full of encircling love. The rhythmic text is painted within the larger rhythmic paintings. The handsome jacket art is harmonious with the warmth and excitement within this diversely pictured 11 1/4" x 10" world of color-filled words and images. Winner, 1990 CCBC Caldecott Book Discussion CCBC categories: Books For Toddlers. 1990, Greenwillow, 32 pages, $12.88. Ages 9 months-3 years.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1990)
Three wonderfully simple vignettes that speak volumes through their juxtaposition. As narrated in the playful, repetitious language of a parent with a beloved child, blond Little Guy's blond daddy catches him, swings him about, and kisses his bellybutton until Little Guy laughs, "More. . .More"--as does brown Little Pumpkin, after her blond grandma chases her, "brings that baby right up close and tastes each of Little Pumpkin's toes." And even drowsy Little Bird wakes enough to murmur, "Mmm. Mmmm. Mmmm" when her mama kisses her and tucks her in. This joyful, unabashed affection is illustrated in the brilliant colors that appeal especially to infants; even the rainbow--bright lettering is harmoniously hand-colored. Perfect to share at bedtime with baby or toddler. 1990, Greenwillow, $12.95 ea; PLB $12.88 ea.. Starred Review. © 1990 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Zena Sutherland (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October 1990 (Vol. 44, No. 2))
Three stories, three babies, three loving adults who cuddle and kiss and love their babies, each of whom cries "More. More. More." Or, sleepily, "Mmm. Mmmm. Mmmm." The babies are white and black and Asian in heritage, the loving adults are a father, a mother, and a grandmother. The gouache paintings have more verve than grace, and the patterned text has more appeal than substance, but the idea of love expressed in terms a young child can understand will undoubtedly captivate the preschool audience. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. Subjects: Family relations. (c) Copyright 1990, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1990, Greenwillow, 32p, $12.88 and $12.95. Grades PreK-K.

Virginia Opocensky (The Five Owls, September/October 1990 (Vol. 5, No. 1))
According to the jacket copy, Vera B. Williams has recently attained the exhilarating status of grandmotherhood. She draws on that experience to give her readers another bright, family-oriented picture book, this time in three brief episodes sharing rituals of charming toddlers and their loving adults. "Little Guy runs away so fast/Little Guy's daddy has to run like anything/just to catch that baby up." Little Guy's daddy throws him high, holds him close, and gives him a kiss right in the middle of his belly button. "More," laughs Little Guy. "More. More. More." Little Pumpkin scoots away so fast that "grandma has to run like anything just to catch that baby up." Grandma tastes each of Little Pumpkin's toes, eliciting cries for "More. More. More." Little Bird falls asleep so fast that her "mama has to move like anything" just to keep her from falling off the couch. After she gets the sleepy child ready for bed, mama sings and kisses each little eye. "Mmm," breathes Little Bird. "Mmm. Mmm. Mmm." Although Williams's text is not rhymed, the appealing cadence, repeated phrases, and structure of each section give a balladic quality to the telling, begging the reader to chant-sing the words. More creative ones will invent a tune for the refrains. As in A Chair for My Mother (1982), Cherries and Cherry Pits (1986), and other books, Williams has used intense, deep-hued gouache paintings with the text lettering as part of the painting. Each page illustration is double-framed with singing color--Little Guy's story with lemon yellow and bright orange, Little Pumpkin's with purpley blue and turquoise, Little Bird's with emerald green and deep rose. Spots of other colors, reminiscent of theater mirror lighting, embellish the inner frames and sprinkle across deep rose endpapers. The artist's trademark style and full range of colors once again capture ordinary-looking people doing ordinary family things, but with a panache that is far from ordinary. Topic, text, illustrations, and format make this a must for the very young picture book crowd. 1990, Greenwillow, $12.95. Ages 2 to 5.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, 1990)
This trio of gentle vignettes shows three toddlers gathered up and cuddled by grownups. The pages reverberate with bright colors and vigorous forms, and the rhythmic language begs to be read aloud. Young listeners are sure to wiggle with delight at all the many ways their favorite grownups have of saying 'I love you.' Category: Fiction. 1990, Greenwillow, 32pp.. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 1: Outstanding, noteworthy in style, content, and/or illustration.