Baby Goes to Market

Join Baby and his mama at the bustling marketplace for a bright, bouncy read-aloud offering a gentle introduction to numbers.

When Baby and Mama go to market, baby is so adorable that the banana seller gives him six bananas. Baby eats one and puts five in the basket, but Mama doesn't notice. As Mama and Baby wend their way through the market stalls, cheeky Baby collects five juicy oranges, four sugary chin-chin biscuits, three roasted sweetcorn, two pieces of coconut ... until Mama notices that her basket is getting very heavy. Poor Baby, she thinks – he must be very hungry by now!

Rhythmic language, visual humour and a bounty of delectable food make this a tale that is sure to whet little appetites for story time.

I love a good market and this one, located somewhere in West Africa, absolutely exudes atmosphere immersing readers in a multi-sensory experience so you can almost feel the heat and dust, smell the roasting sweetcorn and taste the juicy tomatoes. […] Essentially Atinuke’s zingy, patterned text is a shared joke between author and audience. The latter will relish the antics of Baby and savour Mama’s total unawareness of what is going on behind her back. Angela Brooksbank captures all the vibrancy and excitement of a crowded tropical market: the rich, bright colours and patterns, the dusty byways, the goods for sale and those wonderfully observed characters. Red Reading Hub
“You can feel the love that the author and illustrator of Baby Goes to Market have for West Africa, both of whom grew up there ... Each page is gloriously filled with tantalising pictures of delicious things to eat and colourful things to buy, and there’s a gentle introduction to simple counting too.” LoveReading
“The hustle and bustle of the noisy, crowded market is vividly evoked by the colourful illustrations of African-print fabrics and mouth-watering food that burst from every page. With rhythmic text and an abundance of humour, this delightful book is sure to appeal to mischievous babies and toddlers everywhere.” BookTrust
“This is a gorgeous picturebook crammed with detail and a delightful thing to share with children.” The School Librarian
"This is brilliant [...] beautiful" Candice Brathwaite, Make Motherhood Diverse
“Beautifully colourful and vibrant.” The Green Parent
“[…] full of wonder and magic.” Rebel Tribe Blog
Atinuke’s story about a baby exploring the sights and sounds of a bustling African market is perfect for early years readers, with lots of fun counting and food naming elements to focus on. That it is set in a busy mega African city is a great way of sharing with young children amazing corners of the world that may not resemble their own. The Good Wide Web

Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the UK. As a traditional oral storyteller, drawing upon her recent Yoruba ancestry, she visits schools and theatres all over the world. Atinuke is the author of the bestselling Anna Hibiscus fiction series, as well as the No. 1 Car Spotter series, and the picture books B Is for Baby also illustrated by Angela Brooksbank and Hugo illustrated by Birgitta Sif. Atinuke lives on a mountain overlooking the sea in west Wales and supports the charity SOS Children's Village. Visit her online at atinuke-author.weebly.com

Angela Brooksbank worked as a designer and art director in the children's book industry before undertaking an MA at the Cambridge School of Art, and turning her hand to her own illustration. About her picture book inspiration, Angela says, "I am constantly inspired by children’s energy and unique response to life and hope that my work conveys some of their playful spirit." Baby Goes to Market, written by Atinuke, is her first picture book with Walker. Find her online at angelabrooksbank.com.

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