Named one of Amazon's Best Children’s Books of 2017: Baby to Age 2 New York Times bestselling illustrator Jane Dyer teams up with award-winning author Carole Gerber to lead a band of marching babies all through town. It was just an ordinary day at play group until Benny arrived. With flute in hand and drums in tow, Benny’s love of music inspires the babies to get up and put on a show. Toot! Toot! Whee! Benny and his band of babies are a sight to see! With rhythmic text from veteran author Carole Gerber and lively illustrations from bestselling artist Jane Dyer, this musical journey will have readers of all ages snapping their fingers and tapping their toes! Baby-Toddler—A nursery school class of babies are fretful during a morning playgroup until a newcomer named Benny arrives. Benny rallies the now excited troops, and, as the title suggests, they form a makeshift band. Cheerfully marching with instruments, the babies parade around town, including to the market, where they get some snacks and cause some light mischief, before growing tired. The story concludes with the sleepy babies heading back to their nursery school, returning their instruments, and snuggling together for a nap. This adorable title makes for an engaging read, particularly for toddlers. While lively, the book never feels too frenetic or raucous. Gerber writes succinctly, with short, bouncy rhymes that fit well with the musical theme. Dyer's gentle illustrations, created using colored pencils and featuring several spreads, are detailed, with warm, muted colors and soft lines. The cast of babies are happily diverse, and Benny, the leader of the babies' band and the only child named in the story, is African American. While the little ones march throughout town, their adult caretaker is depicted alongside them, ensuring that they have safe travels. VERDICT A charming picture book that is sprightly in tone and text. A rollicking read-aloud.—Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY “Dyer’s soft colored pencil illustrations delight. An exuberant celebration of toddlers’ willful, can’t-be-stopped independence. Gerber’s carefully crafted rhymes and Dyer’s cherubic portraits balance tenderness and mischief on each page.” - Publishers Weekly “Gerber employs lilting syntax with bouncy rhymes [and] Dyer’s very softly hued illustrations fill double-page spreads that follow the toddlers, belonging to a myriad of races, on their adventures. Exuberant and full of fun.” - Kirkus Reviews “This adorable title makes for an engaging read. A charming picture book that is psrightly in tone and text. A rollicking read-aloud.” - School Library Journal A Band of Babies was selected by Amazon editors as "A Best Book for June 2017." Jane Dyer is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Cookies series by Amy Krouse Rosenthal as well as numerous other award-winning picture books. She lives and works in Northampton, Massachusetts.