First Steps By Lee Wardlaw Illustrated in full color by Julie Paschkis HarperCollins/Growing Tree, 1999 A board book for ages 6 months and up US $5.95/ CAN $8.75 ISBN 0-6954-01293-9 You can buy this book at

The journey of a thousand miles begins here . . .

Teeter
totter
step, step, dip - -
Bobble
wobble
step, step . . . trip!
Nothing can match the thrill and agony of learning a new skill, and those beginning steps are among the foremost firsts. Lee Wardlaw's clipped hopping verse echoes the distinct, toddling dance of a baby's first journey. Colorful and energetic paintings by Julie Paschkis capture the drama that occurs in those few feet between a favorite toy and Mom's reassuring arms.

Reviews: "Cheerful rhyming words unfold the visual story of a barefoot, cherry-cheeked . . . toddler attempting his or her first unsteady walk toward Mama's hug". -Ginny Moore Kruse, The Book Center " . . . Wardlaw weighs in with a clever [board book], which combines two of the things kids love best: pictures of kids and semi-nonsensical poetry - - Tiptoe, Let's go, be-bop feet. [The book] has a cute complicated visual take on the eternal struggle that lies always ahead". -The Independent