Review: BROADWAY BABY, Russell Miller, Meteor 17 Books

“I’m just a Broadway Baby”… It is near impossible not to sing the iconic song from Follies when picking up the best-selling children’s book, Broadway Baby, by Russell Miller with Judith A. Proffer. 

Created to reinforce the importance of theatre and creativity to children (and let’s face it, people of all ages!) at a time when theatres are closed due to the pandemic, this beautiful book is just the tonic to bring a smile to your little one’s face and evoke passion for our beloved industry for the person reading. 

Broadway Baby was written by theater operator and producer Miller, in response to the lack of theatrical books currently available for early years children. The well-presented hardback book is stagey from start to finish with its glossy pages, rhyming couplets and theatrical references.

Our central character dreams of being on stage and more specifically, on Broadway in New York City. There are some lovely acknowledgements to the departments who make live performance happen including props and costumes, along with locations associated with the theatre such as the stage door, front of house and the backstage wings. There is even mention of wearing a face mask so it is perfectly relevant for current times!

The opening page sees a dedication to the author’s Dad with a singular ghost light and red tabs in the picture – immediately sentimental. Formatted with the text on the left hand side and illustrations on the right, the layout keeps in time like the words on the pages.

The book is written in American English with some colloquialisms to appeal to a younger audience. It is a nice touch referring back to the opening verse at intervals throughout the book, bringing us back to the fact that the baby is dreaming but encouraging this.

Yoko Matsuoka’s drawings are the overwhelming star of the book. Standalone, they are stunning and would look incredible as prints on your wall. Whilst the words are rousing, it is the pictures that make this heart-warming story leap off the page. 

This is a book about dreamers, for dreamers.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

Broadway Baby can be purchased here.

Also, don’t miss out on the star-studded virtual reading taking place on 21 February at 3pm EST, featuring Gloria Estefan, Laura Osnes, Adam Pascal and many more. Tickets can be booked here, with a portion of the event proceeds going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.