Written by: Kim Ntiappiah

This sweet little board book is by an independent author, and it is absolutely adorable. I love board books for little ones—they’re sturdy, easy for little hands to hold, and can even survive those sometimes sticky fingers!

The story begins when sweet little Mani comes home from the hospital and meets her new best friend, Oxford the dog. From that moment on, Oxford is there for all of Mani’s milestones, from the day she takes her first steps to the day she says her first words.

It’s such a sweet reminder of how pets grow right alongside our children and become such an important part of the family. There really is something special about the bond between a child and a beloved pet, and this book captures that so well.

I think this would be a wonderful book for babies and toddlers, and of course, for any family of animal lovers. I also loved that it came with a set of coloring pages and crayons, a fun little extra to go along with such a sweet story!