Waiting for baby

PreS-These four books are just right for toddlers awaiting and adjusting to the birth of a new sibling. They cover pregnancy, welcoming the baby, and learning to play and live together. One toddler visits the doctor with a pregnant mother. Another sibling "helps" feed the baby and learns to enjoy mom's attention while the infant is asleep. The multiracial families are always smiling and gentle. Colorful artwork fills each page. The writing is clear, conversational, and full of common situations. In reaction to having her hair pulled, big sister says, "Ouch! Don't do that! Why is baby laughing?" Older kids will prefer the sparkle and humor of Jonathan Shipton's Baby Baby Blah Blah Blah! (Holiday House, 2009), Barney Saltzberg's Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby? (Candlewick, 2005), or Emma Chichester Clark's No More Kissing! (Doubleday, 2002), but Fuller's books speak to the very young.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

One of a four-book series designed to help the very young prepare for new siblings, this title presents a toddler-and-mother pair (the latter heavily pregnant) as they read about new babies, sort hand-me-downs, buy new toys, visit the obstetrician and the sonographer, speculate and wait. Throughout, the child asks questions and makes exclamations with complete enthusiasm: "How big is the baby? What does it eat? I felt it move! Is it a boy or girl?" Fuller's jolly pictures present a biracial family that thoroughly enjoys every moment together. It's a bit oversimplified, but no one can complain about the positive message it conveys, appropriately, to its baby and toddler audience. The other titles in the New Baby series are My New Baby (ISBN: 978-1-84643-276-7), Look at Me! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-278-1) and You and Me (ISBN: 978-1-84643-277-4). (Board book. 18 mos.-3)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.