This beautiful collaboration between a children’s librarian and an NBA- player-turned-watercolor-artist introduces the most natural and loving act—mothers nursing their young. Winner of a Parents’ Favorite Products Award, the book’s luminous illustrations and lyrical text give children a glimpse into the worlds of 13 different mammal babies. Compelling childhood facts also broaden the reader’s knowledge about each animal.
The book’s overarching theme of breastfeeding inspires conversations about parenting, biology, habitats, survival, and more, making this book an engaging choice for young children as well as elementary school readers.
"creates positive images around breastfeeding"
Coming October 2018
Read the Press Release.
Size: 10 7/8 x 8 3/8 | Page count: 32 | Age Range: 4-7 | Grade Range: preschool-2nd grade
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Hardback: $14.95 | Paperback: $9.95 | eBook: $8.99
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Hardback: 978-1-930775-61-9 | Paperback: 978-1-930775-71-8 | eBook: 978-1-930775-47-3
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Free downloadable Teacher's Guide available.
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Also available in a bilingual (English/Spanish) edition.
"creates a safe space to explore normal infant feeding and bonding"
A portion of all sales of this book will be donated to
what the experts say...
“Animal mothers of all shapes and sizes lavish their little ones with love and affection in a series of sweet poems celebrating nature, wildlife, and the special bond forged through nursing. Tigers, seals, dolphins, pandas, and other mammals softly take shape in peaceful watercolor portraits. Perfect for reading aloud to find out which mamas nurse their babies in the snow, underwater, on the beach, or upside down. ”
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—Foreword Reviews, 2018
“What a gentle book! It nurtures a child’s empathy for others and opens their eyes to the world of nature. Very sweet and educational.”
—Dr. Harvey Karp, FAAP, author, The Happiest Baby on the Block
“Simple, rhyming, bilingual text and gentle, quiet illustrations introduce the very youngest reader and listener to that most natural and loving of activities—mothers nursing their offspring. Mothers and babies of the fields, jungles, air, and water are all portrayed, demonstrating that all mammal babies are nourished in the same way. This book will be invaluable in presenting nursing as something completely natural, normal, loving, and good for both babies and mothers.”
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—Wendy Watson, author and/or illustrator of over 60 books for children, Phoenix, Arizona
“The illustrations are lovely. The beautiful colors and fluid lines allow the reader to see the babies nurse softly and naturally. This beautiful book is a perfect gift for every new baby.”
—Alejandrina Vostrejs, Certified Birthing From Within Mentor and Doula
“This beautiful book magnificently demonstrates the natural and instinctual connection between a mother and her offspring. Breastfeeding is the first step in cultivating a healthy mind, gut and spirit for both mommy and her little ones. As a pediatrician and mother, I appreciate the simple text paired with the lovely illustrations. Brilliant and inspiring!”
—Kristin Struble, M.D., author of How to Be a “Poop” Detective
About the Author
and Illustrator
Elementary school librarian, children’s book author, and mother of three, Phoebe Fox wrote Babies Nurse to show children that all mammals provide milk for their babies. Fox sought to emphasize the warmth and beauty of nursing while demonstrating that all mammals share certain approaches to feeding, protecting, and teaching their young. With degrees in Early Childhood Development and Curriculum Instruction, Phoebe was particularly well positioned to present this information in a way that young readers will respond to. Drawing on her own experiences as a breastfeeding mother, and wanting to present clear and accurate information about this “natural art,” she consulted zoologists and pediatricians to put together this deceptively simple introduction. She is also the author of Starry’s Haircut, Starry Gets Lost, and Up Up Up (winner of the 2015 First Edition Children’s Book Contest). Visit her at mamafoxbooks.com. Fox lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and their three sons. She can be reached at PFox@PlatypusMedia.com.
When it came time to find an illustrator for the book, Phoebe asked her father-in-law, Jim Fox, if he would accept the task. Retired from the NBA where he played for the Phoenix Suns, Jim was himself a recipient of plenty of his own mother’s milk and says the benefits are obvious: he is 6’ 10”, healthy, and has produced wonderful kids and grandkids. The grandfather of five believes that nursing is a child’s best start in life. Jim lives in Phoenix with his wife, Mary Alice. This is his first book. He can be reached at JFox@PlatypusMedia.com.
line drawings by
Wesley Davies
A New England-based artist, Wesley (23) specializes in digital illustration and design. He graduated from Kenyon College in 2017 and spends his time working as a freelance illustrator, writing his ongoing comic The Ecliptic Age, and adding to his ever-growing indoor garden of houseplants. He has been drawing animals from a young age, inspired by the many books and nature documentaries that excited his passion for biology and anthropology, and is always happy when he can combine his interests in illustration. He can be reached at Wesley@PlatypusMedia.com.