What's Sweeter

A soothing bedtime read. A quiet book that will help readers experience and reflect on the rich sensations of life.

PreS-Gr 2--In a meandering tone similar to The Happiness of a Dog with a Ball in its Mouth, this book takes the form of a list of the sweet things in life. At first, the text follows a formula of "what's sweeter than," for example, "how little ducks walk in a row." The template breaks mid-book in a refreshing change to "Is there anything sweeter," ending with "no, nothing could be sweeter, except maybe you." Some of the listed topics are concrete ("the soft spot behind a cat's ear"), others more abstract ("when something fits you just right"), and still others would not be defined as "sweet" but still somehow fit ("a fire truck getting a bath"). Tate create charmingly childlike digital illustrations with a variety of analog materials. Wobbly doodles of children appear on sparsely illustrated pages with cream and yellow backgrounds. The few exceptions stand out, such as watercolor butterflies exploding off a painted page. While the book's pacing will not hold the attention of every child, those who read it will find themselves enthralled. VERDICT An endearing book for caregivers to share with children.--Clara Hendricks

This debut by Tate catalogs small-scale, everyday delights--pleasures visualized in scribbly, faux-naïf vignettes of children portrayed with varied skin tones, all set on backgrounds of creamy whites, pinks, and yellows. "What's sweeter," the narrator starts, "than the soft spot/ behind a cat's ear?" A loopy, wandering line shows a child with brown skin giving a gray-and-white cat a scritch in just the right place; the feline leans in, eyes closed in contentment. "What's sweeter/ than a fire truck/ getting a bath" accompanies a big ladder truck pulled out in front of a fire station, fire fighters scrubbing it all over with big sponges as two children in fire hats look on. Many of the sweet things are nature-themed ("seeing a bluebird/ right outside/ your window"), but others could take place anywhere: "when something/ fits you just right" appears alongside an image of a caretaker with a large shopping cart and a happy child with a diminutive version. Tate's whimsical musing ends with a twist that brings this beguiling, even sweet, interlude close to the reader. Ages 4-8. (Dec.)