Up!

Around the world, little ones are carried in many different ways: in slings, on shoulders, in backpacks, on hips, in baskets, and in loving arms. Up! depicts ten places around the world, from Afghanistan to northern Canada, Peru to West Africa. In each place, a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling lovingly carries a baby.

With various family configurations and settings ranging from a busy outdoor market to a high-rise apartment kitchen, the book wholeheartedly celebrates diversity. Gorgeous cut-paper collage art adds warmth and brightness, and brings the lyrical text to life. Repetition of the phrase “Upsy-daisy” on each spread lends familiarity, and reminds readers that love for a little one is a universal feeling.

Susan Hughes is the author of over 30 children’s books, including Off to Class and Making Canada Home. She is also a freelance editor and story coach for both novice and experienced writers. She lives with her family in a house with a bright red door in Toronto, Ontario.

Ashley Barron graduated from OCAD’s illustration program. Her award-winning cut-paper collage illustrations have appeared in magazines, children’s publications, websites, posters, animations, store windows, and set designs. Ashley is the illustrator of Kyle Goes Alone and the Math in Nature series. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.