Baker, Barbara 1947-

Personal

Born 1947.

Addresses

Home and office—New York, NY. E-mail—BarbaraABaker@yahoo.com.

Career

Writer and educator. Teaches at a day care center in New York, NY.

Writings

Third Grade Is Terrible, illustrated by Roni Shepherd, Dutton (New York, NY), 1989.

N-O Spells No!, illustrated by Nola Langner Malone, Dutton (New York, NY), 1990.

Oh, Emma, illustrated by Catherine Stock, Dutton (New York, NY), 1991.

Staying with Grandmother, illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

The William Problem, illustrated by Ann Iosa, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

Little Martin, illustrated by Vera Rosenberry, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.

Anna's Book, illustrated by Catharine O'Neill, Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.

Anna Shares, illustrated by Catharine O'Neill, Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.

"DIGBY AND KATE" SERIES

Digby and Kate, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, Dutton (New York, NY), 1988.

Digby and Kate Again, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, Dutton (New York, NY), 1989.

Digby and Kate and the Beautiful Day, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, Dutton (New York, NY), 1998.

Digby and Kate 1, 2, 3, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.

"SATURDAY" SERIES

One Saturday Morning, illustrated by Kate Duke, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

One Saturday Afternoon, illustrated by Kate Duke, Dutton (New York, NY), 1999.

One Saturday Evening, illustrated by Kate Duke, Dutton (New York, NY), 2007.

Sidelights

Barbara Baker is the author of a number of well-received chapter books and easy readers. Baker's "Digby and Kate" series centers on the relationship between a frisky dog named Digby and his neighbor and best friend, Kate, a cat. The opening work in the series, Digby and Kate, collects six tales in which the pair prepares lunch together, paints a room in Digby's house, and exchanges gifts. Kimberly Olson Fakih, writing in Publishers Weekly, stated that "this well-produced book is packed with child appeal." In Digby and Kate 1, 2, 3, the companions learn to resolve simple conflicts, such as the one that arises when Digby insists that Kate should make friends with a mouse instead of catching him. The five stories "have a simple narrative appeal that will engage beginning readers," noted School Library Journal contributor Robyn Walker.

A family of bears is the focus of Baker's "Saturday" series of books. In One Saturday Morning, the author introduces Mama and Papa Bear and their four lively youngsters, each of whom has a busy day planned. "Beginning readers will enjoy the humor of familiar family situations," remarked Booklist reviewer Chris Sherman. One Saturday Afternoon also follows the fun-filled activities of Jack, Lily, Daisy, and Rose Bear. "Short sentences, concise chapters, and the right amount of repetition" make One Saturday Afternoon appropriate for early readers, observed Susan Dove Lempke in Booklist. Mama and Papa Bear try to prepare their young ones for bed in One Saturday Evening. Erika Qualls, writing in School Library Journal, described the tale as "very satisfying," and Booklist critic Gillian Engberg called the work "a strong choice for the just-literate crowd."

In Staying with Grandmother, a "warm and comforting" story according to School Library Journal critic Sharon McElmeel, young Claire approaches an extending stay at her grandma's house with trepidation until she adjusts to her new surroundings. Little Martin, another easy reader, concerns a rambunctious preschooler who delights in making messes and confounding his mother. Though some reviewers found the toddler's actions unappealing, a Kirkus Reviews contributor observed that "Martin is a reprobate, fielding the consequences of his acts like a major leaguer, then tossing them right back at you."

A lovable but strong-willed toddler is the subject of Anna's Book and Anna Shares, two picture books written by Baker. In the former, Anna chooses an unusual reading partner after her mother must tend to the laundry, and in the latter, the little girl spoils a play date when she refuses to share a plate of cookies. Carolyn Phelan, writing in Booklist, praised the "simple narra-

tive appeal and visual charm" of the stories, and School Library Journal reviewer Martha Topol commented that the works "are simple and repetitive and cover topics that will have meaning for the intended audience."

In the chapter book Oh, Emma, a nine year old has a difficult time dealing with her younger brother and sister. "The depiction of the siblings' interaction is realistic and well conveyed," Ruth Semma wrote in School Library Journal. Third-grader Liza Farmer finds herself aligned with the school nerd in The William Problem, another chapter book. "Baker's short sentences and familiar situations should appeal to new readers," Ilene Cooper stated in a characteristic review of the author's work for Booklist.

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 1, 1994, Ilene Cooper, review of The William Problem, p. 325; January 1, 1995, Chris Sherman, review of One Saturday Morning, p. 827; May 15, 1999, Susan Dove Lempke, review of One Saturday Afternoon, p. 1704; February 1, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, reviews of Anna's Book and Anna Shares, p. 978; September 1, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, review of Digby and Kate 1, 2, 3, p. 128; July 1, 2007, Gillian Engberg, review of One Saturday Evening, p. 66.

Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2003, review of Little Martin, p. 226; December 15, 2003, reviews of Anna's Book and Anna Shares, p. 1445; July 1, 2007, review of One Saturday Evening.

Publishers Weekly, March 11, 1998, Kimberly Olson Fakih, review of Digby and Kate, p. 103; January 6, review of Little Martin, p. 59; March 1, 2004, "Toddler Times," reviews of Anna's Book and Anna Shares, p. 71.

School Library Journal, November, 1998, Sharron McElmeel, review of Digby and Kate, p. 83; February, 1992, Ruth Semrau, review of Oh, Emma, p. 70; May, 1994, Sharron McElmeel, review of Staying with Grandmother, p. 84; November, 1994, Gale W. Sherman, review of One Saturday Morning, p. 72; March, 2003, Elaine Lesh Morgan, review of Little Martin, p. 176; February, 2004, Martha Topol, review of Anna's Shares, p. 102; August, 2004, Robyn Walker, review of Digby and Kate 1, 2, 3, p. 82; August, 2007, Erika Qualls, review of One Saturday Evening, p. 76.

ONLINE

Barbara Baker Web log,http://barbarabakerbooks.blogcity.com/ (August 10, 2008).