“Brother’s hands tap. Sister’s hands snap. Itty-bitty Baby’s hands CLAP-CLAP-CLAP.” Lisa Wheeler’s spirited narrative cascades to an energizing rhythm in a playful picture book full of beat and bounce. Wheeler skillfully uses word- and sound-play in a book that is less story than celebration of a baby’s place in the hearts of his immediate and extended family, and even the larger community, all of whom participate in one way or another in a spirited musical gathering with the baby at its center. R. Gregory Christie’s dynamic illustrations feature fluid lines that suggest motion and movement as they depict a vibrant African American family and community. Highly Commended, 2008 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages birth – 3)

With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin' baby gets his whole family singing and dancing. Sister's hands snap. Granny sings scat. Uncle soft-shoes--and Baby keeps the groove. Things start to wind down when Mama and Daddy sing blues so sweet. Now a perfectly drowsy baby sleeps deep, deep, deep.

Lisa Wheeler and R. Gregory Christie pair up for a celebration of music, imagination, and big families--but they know that even a jazz baby needs to snooze. Oh yeah.