Synopses & Reviews
Family members and friends entertain a new baby on his first night at home.
Review
"Kalman's paintings accompany the words to 'Stay Up Late,' the Talking Heads song. The action in this book is all in the pictures. A girl and boy somewhat cruelly entertain themselves by preventing their baby brother from sleeping, yanking and tossing him, pulling his hair, blasting him with music: 'He's just a little plaything/ Why not wake him up?' Meanwhile, adults are shown drinking, dancing, daydreaming, or napping, but not paying much attention to the children. Kalman uses a pseudo-childish composition and style imaginative and energetic, with lots of inventive asides but her art has a mean-spirited edge that takes its cue from the lyrics: 'We want to make him stay up all night.' This book has a definite appeal for hip adults, but it's not for the literal-minded child." Publishers Weekly
Review
"A common theme, a new baby in the family, is housed in a unique package. Magic marker pictographs on aqua-colored endpapers precede the brightly-colored expressionistic illustrations which accompany the lyrics to a popular new wave song written by the lead singer of the Talking Heads. The text, simple and repetitive, with a pounding beat and an irreverent outlook, begins, 'Mommy had a little baby. /There he is fast asleep. /He's just a little plaything. /Why not wake him up?' The narrator, an older sibling, expresses the jealousy and interest she feels towards the new baby. The mocking tone of the text ridicules adult sentimentality by a juxtaposition of opposing views. The ambivalence the narrator feels for the new baby is also supported by the illustrations. The sister begs to hold the baby, but the following illustration shows her pulling the baby's hair. The emotional tone of the illustrations is upheaval and uncertainty. Illustrations are in flat perspective and at unusual angles, so items often appear to be falling out of the frame. This high energy piece should appeal to children who are more honest about their fears and jealousies than adults. And the comforting resolution brother, sister, baby, and dog finally alseep together should soothe some of those real fears." School Library Journal
About the Author
David Byrne is the former lead singer of the Talking Heads. His most recent book is The New Sins, published by McSweeneys.