Artist, award-winning author, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen creates sweet and playful books. I’ve enjoyed quite a few over the years and am so happy to see that she has two new board books coming out – all the better to add to my lapsit storytimes!
Hello, Baby, by Sandra Magsamen, (July 2026, Cartwheel Books), $8.99, ISBN: 9781546183945
Ages Birth-3
This celebration of a baby is filled with lovable phrases to say to babies: “Hello, baby, we’re so happy that you’re here! You’re our peanut pumpkin and our little deer!” The brief, rhyming verse and accompanying illustrations are big, bold, and adorable. It’s great for a lapsit or cuddle time. Great for a baby shower gift, too. Hello, Baby is the first in Magsamen’s new line of board books for babies: Peek-a-Boo, Baby is due this summer. Brief, bright, and expressive, these books will hold up to many, many readings. A very nice addition to board books collection.
I Whaley Love You!, by Sandra Magsamen, (May 2026, Cartwheel Books), $8.99, ISBN: 9781546140139
Ages Birth-3
How do you not squeal with delight when you see a title like this? I Whaley Love You! is a pun-filled ode to time well spent: “I whaley love you, you sweet little whale. We’ll always be side by side and tail by tail!” There’s a big squishy tail at the top of the book, letting little lapsitters squish and explore textures while you read to them. The book features a big whale and little whale; the big whale talking about all the fun they have together in the big blue sea. Adorable, colorful, and bold, this one is a great choice for collections – consider a backup copy for storytime collections.
Magsamen also has free downloadables on her website. Go take a look!
Mom Read It 