Little Labors / Rivka Galchen, 130pp.

Brief, stark, thoughtful essays about Galchen's early days as a mother, capturing the wonder and ferocity of her attachment.  She describes feelings and scenarios that are familiar but just off-kilter enough to be fresh and sometimes startling.  True and original without being the least bit syrupy.

The book, like its subject, is small, attractive and brightly colored, as is Galchen's baby when wearing her 'Guantanamo orange' puffy snowsuit, described in the essay Orange.