Little Louie the Baby Bloomer

Robert Kraus's Little Louie the Baby Bloomer picks up where the 1971 classic Leo the Late Bloomer leaves off. This time, young Leo (the original late-blooming tiger) is on the scene to help his little brother Louie, who seems to be a late bloomer, too. Leo is distressed that his little brother can't throw a ball or pull a wagon, can't talk, and doesn't even know how to play--"So Leo stopped trying to play with Little Louie and decided to teach Louie instead." Day and night, these brotherly life lessons continue, until one day, on his own, Little Louie finally blooms. (His first word is "Leo," of course!) Simple, spare prose and the artful, endearing illustrations of Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey make this sweet story of late-blooming, patience, and sibling love come to life. (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson

Robert Kraus is the author of Little Louie the Baby Bloomer and Leo the Late Bloomer, illustrated by Jose Aruego, and the author and illustrator of dozens of books for children. He lives in New York City.