Review by Booklist Review
First published in 1997, this clearly written, reassuring picture-book text has been newly illustrated with paper-collage artwork that is a bit cluttered but cheerful. A girl with a new baby in the house contrasts what babies do with what she can do, then talks about how special she is to her parents. An appended note advises parents on encouraging good sibling relationships. Libraries with nice copies of the original big-sister/brother books may want to keep them, but others will be glad to find new editions of this simple, positive, and perennially useful picture book and its companion volume, I'm a Big Brother.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2The texts in these two books are identical, with the exception of the gender terms. Cole has successfully captured the youngsters' voices, making it easy for readers to identify with them, whether the books are being read aloud or alone. Familiar situations, as well as positive reinforcement of individuality and importance as part of the family, are good reasons to put this book into the hands of children who will soon be older siblings. A concluding "Note to Parents" in each book offers suggestions on how to communicate with older children about the changes that are coming. Like the texts, the engaging illustrations are the same in both books. Aside from the obvious difference of a boy in one and a girl in the other, the scenes are set up the samethe family at the park, looking at pictures, the father and older sibling giving the baby a bottle, etc. Unfortunately, the artist differentiates between a big brother and a big sister by showing the boy playing with trucks and building blocks, while the girl entertains dolls at a tea party. Sadly, due to these pictures, boys are unlikely to read about the big sister, which makes a case for a library to purchase both titles. Even if only one is feasible, it is certainly a solid addition to any collection.Dina Sherman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (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 virtually identical texts, these simple, small books are written from a child's point of view and illustrated with homey watercolors that focus on a preschooler's world. The characters are secure, happy older siblings who recognize the difficulties of their new identity in a positive way as they explain how they play with their baby siblings and help their parents. Includes a note to parents. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
