A Wish For Baby

By Caz Goodwin & Sara Acton

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Caz Goodwin is the author of the Little Matilda and Daisy series as well as Grace and Mr Milligan. Here she has teamed up with the prolific Sara Acton, whose lively illustrations have illumimated Runt, You’ve Got Yoghurt InYour Nostrils, I’ll Always be Older Than You and many more.

Every parent has hopes and dreams for their newborn child and these whishes expand and change as the child grows and begins to manifest its own presona. Here a father is shown in all the many activities involved with living with a baby. We see walks along the beach, fun bathtime, exploring in the garden, dressing up, baking cakes, being with friends and more.

The text emphasises joy and love, enjoyment and fun as well as coping with some difficult times. To quote from the book here ‘there is so much to discover if you’re just prepared to look’. Acton’s expressive illustrations show all the variations of delight and wonder as the baby explores an ever expandiing world.

There are no other adults shown anywhere, not even a picture on a wall, so the focus is firmly on the one parent/child relationship. This dad is handson: nurturing and loving, happy to dress up as a princess, walk in the rain, play piggyback. He is always there.

A warm and gentle depiction of a magic time shared by dad and baby that may raise a few questions from astute young children.

Affirm Press 2024

Caz Goodwin

Sara Acton