Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

Why It's On Our Shelf

Mem Fox has a gift for writing in a way that begs to be read out loud, and this book is a perfect example. The rhythm is gentle and rocking, almost like a lullaby, and the repeated phrase 'and ten little fingers and ten little toes' becomes something babies start to anticipate. The illustrations show babies from different backgrounds, which normalizes diversity without making a big deal about it. What I appreciate is how it celebrates the universal while honoring the particular - yes, all babies have ten fingers and ten toes, but each one is also uniquely themselves. It's the kind of book that works for brand new babies and stays relevant as they grow.