Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. Elemental rhymes and warm, uncluttered illustrations distinguish this title about an older sibling's adjustment to a new baby. A young boy tells his own story of development, beginning with infancy, in brisk, active phrases matched with snapshot pictures: I cry. I sleep. I kick my feet . . . . He is reassured by his loving parents: Mommy tells me I'm the best / And Daddy tells me, too. After more milestones (sitting, walking, feeding himself), the boy learns a new brother is on the way. There's jealousy when the baby arrives, but the older brother gradually becomes fond of his sibling and even comforts him when news comes, at the story's end, that there will be a baby three. Like the direct, active rhymes, Cote's paintings are joyful and reassuring, and they capture emotions and details straight from a child's world: I hope that baby disappears, reads the text alongside a picture of the older child on the potty, scowling furiously as his mother bathes his baby brother nearby. An excellent choice for expectant families. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-A boy describes all of the things that he can do-crawl, walk, and eventually run-and his parents tell him that he's the best. When a new baby comes along, he wonders why they wanted another child if he's the best. At first, he is jealous of his brother, but when the tot smiles at him, he decides that maybe the little guy can stay and they begin building a relationship. Then, another infant arrives, and the older sibling is very sympathetic about his younger brother's reaction to the new addition. This exploration of the growth and development of a loving, caring family is told through simple rhyming language and lively gouache and watercolor-pencil artwork. Each spread has several small captioned illustrations (e.g., "I sit" or "I play in mud"), bringing to mind a photo album. Brightly colored two-page paintings are interspersed throughout, showing larger views of day-to-day life. The palette is cheerful and warm. The narrator's emotions run the gamut from happy to sad to angry. A good choice for parents to share with their children when a new family member is on the way.-Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With the title exemplifying his I'm-the-center-of-the-universe perspective, a boy chronicles his first several years from infancy through the arrival of one, then two siblings. The rhyming text, though bouncy, predictably spans the rejection, then acceptance, of new babies by an older sibling. The friendly art complements the flow of the text, with small, boxed illustrations alternating with larger ones. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A first-born child learns that family life just might not be all about him . . . and that might not be so bad. Secure with his only-child role, a young boy is perturbed to learn of a sibling's imminent arrival. With all the noises, messes and smells the baby makes, his opinion does not change . . . until the baby first smiles at his big brother. "And Mommy tells me I'm the best / Big brother that she knows / Someday we'll play together / I can't wait until he grows." Best, when the time comes for baby number three to come home, he is there to ease his little brother into his new role of big brother. Young children with siblings will easily identify with the characters; Cote's facial expressions bring the illustrations to life. The bright colors, simple details and rhyming verses make this a perfect read-aloud. The title and front cover art don't reveal the true subject; it will be up to others to introduce it to growing families. A wonderfully sweet look at the challenges and benefits of adding children to the family, from the perspective of someone with experience. (Picture book. 2-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
