Published by Henry Holt & Co.

Available in hardcover in many libraries and bookstores.

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TOUGH BEGINNINGS (excerpt)

It's tough to begin on the beaches,
It's tough to begin in the seas.
It's hard to hang on to your mother,
It's hard to jump out of the trees.

It's rough to have too many siblings,
It's rough when you're born in a mound.
It's not easy when Dad wants to eat you,
It's not easy to hide underground.

It's trouble to hatch where it's frozen,
It's trouble to hatch where it's dry.
It's tricky to search for a safe pouch,
It's tricky to grow wings and fly.

Human babies can't do much,
But we grow up soon enough.
For other kinds of youngsters,
Life's a lot more tough!

Copyright © 2001 by Marilyn Singer

* Errata

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