Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 22, 2008

Gina Cranson

Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury Viking, $24.95

There was one little baby who was born far

away,

and another who was born on the very

next day.

And both of these babies, as everyone knows,

had ten little fingers and ten little toes.

Wily Mem Fox appears to have done it

again with this engaging book for babies and

toddlers.

With its softly swaying rhythms, repetitive text

and cuddly illustrations, it is sure to have littlies

begging for more.

However, I, too, find myself asking for more as

I grapple with one point of irritation.

The rhyme and premise, to me, come across

as convenient, rather than considered, and I

wonder sometimes if the author is too quick to

seize upon a winning formula at the expense of

higher, deeper

truths.

As everyone

knows, we dont all fit the mould, yet were no

less deserving or entitled to the same love and

affection bestowed on those who are.

I dont expect every childrens book to carry

the weight of the worlds issues but this offering

seems a little light on substance.

While its hard to imagine tired grown-ups

getting away with just one read  my daughter

loved the opportunity for warm and gentle

interaction between parent and child, and thats

a beautiful thing  at the end of the day I cant

escape the nagging feeling that this seemingly

perfect little bedtime story is fundamentally

flawed.

Gina Cranson

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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