Baby Porcupine

Britta Santowski is a freelance writer in Victoria.

Baby Penguin (2001) was the first book in this charming, educational
series, which includes Baby Fox, Baby Seal, Baby Lion, Baby Elephant,
Baby Owl, Baby Ground Squirrel, Baby Sloth, and Baby Koala, in addition
to the two latest volumes reviewed here.

Baby Grizzly, which is illustrated with photos taken by the author’s
husband, follows the mother and her three cubs through the first two
years of life. The images and narrative show how the mother guides the
cubs past any threatening male grizzlies and manages to keep them
nourished. By mimicking their mother, the cubs learn to become grizzly
bears, capable of catching their own food and navigating dangers.

Likewise, Baby Porcupine follows a mother and her newborn from spring
through fall, showing how the mother guides her baby toward independence
and survival.

The photographs, which depict the challenges of survival in nature and
the nurturing role of the parent, are excellent companions to Lang’s
fine narrative, making the book fun and informative. The Nature Babies
series would make an excellent addition to any child’s library. Highly
recommended.