Lazy Little Loafers (by Susan Orlean)

While she's busy going to school, doing homework, and lugging her own books all the way across town, a little school girl begins to notice how many babies are in the world, and just how little they do. How do they get away with it? On closer study, she becomes more and more dismayed as she notices all the things that need doing, and goes through a growing list of silly things that babies call work ... things like stroller pushing or elevator button pushing. Of course, some of this has to do with her new baby brother, and her feelings about having him in her world.

Kids, especially those with younger siblings, will understand the little girl's resentment in this story. Parents even more than kids will find themselves laughing aloud at the little girl's laments. And both will have plenty to talk about as they find out just what she means when she calls the babies "lazy little loafers."

While the girl's very original take on babies rings true, the book is a bit far-fetched and definitely tongue-in-cheek. The witty writing is embellished with equally clever illustrations created with gouache, acrylic with pencil, and photo collage, making this book enjoyable on many different levels.

Author: Susan Orlean
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date: October 1, 2008
Number of pages: 32
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 7