We used to work together at Tricycle Press, Berkeley, CA: John as author of the 14-book Busy Book series for young children and Molly as his editor.

Together we’d seen many babies “go gaga” for the Busy Books—the rich photographs of animals seemed to fascinate them. We’d seen babies riveted by photos of other babies, too. But we hadn’t seen any photo-illustrated books that brought babies and animals together showing matching behaviors and actions. So we decided to try and make one, and The Babies and Doggies Book was born.

The book’s enthusiastic reception by the 6-month to 3-year set was a surprise even to us! The Babies and Kitties Book has gotten great feedback too, and we’re sure The Babies and Bunnies Book will be just as loved. Why do young children like these books so much? We can only guess.

Babies love faces. At as early as four months old, babies process faces almost like adults. They haven’t yet made consistent sense of anything else they see, but faces stand out in the stimulating blur of life at this age. Faces are endlessly interesting, especially when they’re the faces of fellow babies doing familiar things.

Babies also feel a special kinship with other animals. Doggies and kitties and bunnies communicate nonverbally—babies can relate (until they learn to talk with words)! Doggies and kitties and bunnies are cared for by adults—babies can relate! And they all love to do things, but often do them differently. Our books give babies a fun experience in comparing and contrasting.

When a baby and a doggy or kitty or bunny share a home, they become special friends. We’ve experienced this in our own families, Molly with her kids and dogs, John with his kids and cats. Our books celebrate this connection, and (we hope) encourage a simple but deep empathy with other animals, with whom we humans share many similarities.