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    Seven Babies

    Author Forest Xiao
    Illustrated by Forest Xiao
    Look inside
    Hardcover
    $18.99 US
    Candlewick
    10.19"W x 10.63"H x 0.35"D   | 14 oz | 32 per carton
    On sale Aug 26, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9781536245097
    Age 1-3 years | Up to Preschool
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    "A sweet, rambunctious celebration of babyhood that begs for repeated readings." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    The cuteness meter is off the charts in this sweet and funny story from an exciting new picture-book talent, celebrating the chaos and joy that babies bring to our days.

    One Thursday morning, a box of babies arrived at this door.

    What do you do when a box of seven irresistibly plump babies appears on your doorstep? Do you invite them in? Of course you do! But seven babies turn out to be a lot of work: feeding, changing, wrangling, entertaining, bathing, so much laundry . . . Good thing babies love watching the washing machine spin around and around! Filled with the most adorable, relatable, and perfectly round-headed babies ever to grace a picture book, Forest Xiao’s celebration of the mess and the marvel of a new arrival is an ideal gift for little ones and anyone who loves them.
    With this whimsical premise, Xiao has crafted a heartwarming tale that perfectly captures the exhausting yet rewarding reality of caring for little ones. . . .The simple text is gracefully balanced with the visual exuberance of babies tumbling across pages, exploring their surroundings, and eventually snuggling up together. . . . A sweet, rambunctious celebration of babyhood that begs for repeated readings.
    —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    Delightfully silly, Xiao’s picture book brings out the bliss and exhaustion that come with caring for little bundles of joy. . . . The minimal text and soft, natural-toned backgrounds, painted in light washes of gouache and pencil, highlight the couple’s easygoing, carefree lifestyle, and their interactions with the babies are marked by a deep sense of patience and attentiveness. . . . Share this book with soon-to-be siblings and their expecting parents.
    —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

    [A] pitch-perfect picture book. . . .There’s constant hilarity in the chaos, reflected in the frequently gaping mouths of the grown-ups, who struggle to keep up at every turn. The quantity of babies guarantees at least seven delightful moments per spread, and it’s a joy to track down all the details endearingly placed throughout. Absolutely irresistible.
    —Booklist (starred review)

    Xiao’s digitally finished gouache and pencil illustrations feature distinct line art, loosely colored, projecting a homey quality that reflects the organized chaos of this instant family’s day. . . . Xiao’s lighthearted story about celebrating new arrivals—even seven of them—is sure to be enjoyed by all.
    —The Horn Book
    Forest Xiao is an image maker, storyteller, treasure finder, and new mother who has lived in China, Germany, the US, the UK, and Malaysia, an experience that has nourished her open heart and free spirit. She aspires to create books that are life-giving, convey a sense of wonder, and spark humor. Since receiving a master’s in children’s book illustration from Cambridge School of Art in the UK, she has received several accolades, including being a 2023 Bologna Illustrators Exhibition winner. She lives in England.
    Forest Xiao View titles by Forest Xiao

    Photos

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    About

    "A sweet, rambunctious celebration of babyhood that begs for repeated readings." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    The cuteness meter is off the charts in this sweet and funny story from an exciting new picture-book talent, celebrating the chaos and joy that babies bring to our days.

    One Thursday morning, a box of babies arrived at this door.

    What do you do when a box of seven irresistibly plump babies appears on your doorstep? Do you invite them in? Of course you do! But seven babies turn out to be a lot of work: feeding, changing, wrangling, entertaining, bathing, so much laundry . . . Good thing babies love watching the washing machine spin around and around! Filled with the most adorable, relatable, and perfectly round-headed babies ever to grace a picture book, Forest Xiao’s celebration of the mess and the marvel of a new arrival is an ideal gift for little ones and anyone who loves them.

    Praise

    With this whimsical premise, Xiao has crafted a heartwarming tale that perfectly captures the exhausting yet rewarding reality of caring for little ones. . . .The simple text is gracefully balanced with the visual exuberance of babies tumbling across pages, exploring their surroundings, and eventually snuggling up together. . . . A sweet, rambunctious celebration of babyhood that begs for repeated readings.
    —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    Delightfully silly, Xiao’s picture book brings out the bliss and exhaustion that come with caring for little bundles of joy. . . . The minimal text and soft, natural-toned backgrounds, painted in light washes of gouache and pencil, highlight the couple’s easygoing, carefree lifestyle, and their interactions with the babies are marked by a deep sense of patience and attentiveness. . . . Share this book with soon-to-be siblings and their expecting parents.
    —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

    [A] pitch-perfect picture book. . . .There’s constant hilarity in the chaos, reflected in the frequently gaping mouths of the grown-ups, who struggle to keep up at every turn. The quantity of babies guarantees at least seven delightful moments per spread, and it’s a joy to track down all the details endearingly placed throughout. Absolutely irresistible.
    —Booklist (starred review)

    Xiao’s digitally finished gouache and pencil illustrations feature distinct line art, loosely colored, projecting a homey quality that reflects the organized chaos of this instant family’s day. . . . Xiao’s lighthearted story about celebrating new arrivals—even seven of them—is sure to be enjoyed by all.
    —The Horn Book

    Author

    Forest Xiao is an image maker, storyteller, treasure finder, and new mother who has lived in China, Germany, the US, the UK, and Malaysia, an experience that has nourished her open heart and free spirit. She aspires to create books that are life-giving, convey a sense of wonder, and spark humor. Since receiving a master’s in children’s book illustration from Cambridge School of Art in the UK, she has received several accolades, including being a 2023 Bologna Illustrators Exhibition winner. She lives in England.
    Forest Xiao View titles by Forest Xiao

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