Author Description

Babies, whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms, are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled. This bilingual book is a celebration of the bond between parent and child across the animal kingdom. Stunning images and elegant verse will capture the curiosity of even the youngest readers, while the bilingual text makes this sweet storybook accessible to speakers of both English and Spanish. This lyrical, bilingual book explores the many aspects of childcare in the animal kingdom. Stunning paintings by Mike Speiser, an environmental activist and artist, illustrate tender moments between mother and child. Discussion guides, English and Spanish animal vocabulary, and information about child nutrition in the back of the book extend readers' knowledge of the 18 animals introduced in the pictures. These questions encourage children to explore more about these animals and introduce early STEM concepts like habitats by asking the reader to compare their neighborhood to the jungle, ocean, or arctic. America has the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world, and familiarity with both English and Spanish helps children succeed in adulthood. Studies have shown that exposure to multiple languages before age 5 expands a child's cognitive reserve, leading to increased language acquisition and capacity for memory. In addition, poetry encourages an enlarged vocabulary. Carried and Cuddled encompasses all of these linguistic elements, while also introducing STEM and parenting concepts. An extensive Teacher's Guide, available for free download, enhances the book's content, increasing learning opportunities.