Baby Lemur — Susan Hellard

"You're not a baby anymore," said Liam's mother one day. "It's time for you to try things for yourself..."

When Liam is a baby he spends all day and all night cuddled to his mother's tummy. As he gets bigger, he rides on his mother's back as she swings through the trees. Even as they fly, Liam feels safe. But the day comes when his mother decides that he is big enough to step out on his own. Liam is terrified at first, but once he sees how much fun the other little lemurs are having, he joins in. In the end, Liam's mother reassures him that no matter how far he goes, she will always be there for him to come back to.

This comforting story is a wonderful read-aloud for toddlers taking their first steps toward independence. The author humorously captures both a toddler's need for the security his mother provides and his conflicting need to do things for himself.