Honestly, I'm a little skeptical about this being a... genuine Eric Carle book? I mean, he hasn't really done any picture books in a while, just these kind of gift-type books that feel like remakes of his previous work. However, I don't think any of his fans will care and his signature art is a big draw.
The text compares the listener to various animals, "You're my little lamb, so gentle and sweet. You're my little monkey, whose smiles are such a treat." The real draw is the art and touchy-feely elements. I guess it's technically "touch-and-feel" but I've always said touchy-feely. The cover has inlaid sparkly hearts and the various toy elements are all on the left side of the page. The first page has a flimsy green plant flap, covering a baby bear. There is a soft, fluffy cotton inlay for the sheep, inlaid silver ripples in the lake around the hippo, a slight raised vinyl wing on the mother duck, and you can lift the picture of the mother cat and kitten to show the kitten playing. The final page has a heart-shaped mirror on the right side, accompanying the last half of the final rhyme, "You're my little baby and that you'll always be."

The animals show his typical blocky collages with squiggles across the painted surfaces and a variety of bright colors.

This is really a novelty book; in normal times, I'd probably add it to the board book collection because it will be popular, but would not expect it to last long. The couple flaps are very thin, with fragile hinges, and the edges of the sheep around the fluffy white cotton, are thin and easily bent. However, in current times I am trying not to circulate anything with a surface that can't easily be cleaned and the sheep's fluffy wool, which feels like loose cotton balls perhaps, makes this one not a good idea for a public library collection in my opinion.

Verdict: While this isn't the best choice for a public library collection, it would make an adorable gift. The familiar art and the nice variety of elements will keep the baby's interest and make this a nice bedtime/naptime story.

ISBN: 9781534474932; Published August 2020 by Little Simon; Review copy provided by publisher

This is one of those books, which will make young listeners smile and feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Various animal pairs, always a large one (parent/guardian) and a baby, are presented on each page with the words "You're my little...". Then there's a cute rhyming phrase, which shows how/why they are loved. While it's super sweet to see the loving relationship between these animals, the message to the listener is clear, too—you are loved.

Animal lovers will enjoy running through the various creatures, and two of them include a flap to open and reveal a surprise underneath. Each illustration is bright and cheerful. The medium used changes a little, allowing textures to flow in with the colors. According to the description, there are also elements to 'feel', but since I received an e-format, I didn't get a chance to discover this aspect.

This is a lovely book for parents, grandparents, or any guardian to cuddle up on a cushion with their little one to read. It displays love and warmth, and is sure to bring a hug at the end.
I received an ARC and found it to be a cute, sweet read. ( )