Editorial Review

In Jonathan London’s latest picture book about the only too human Froggy (following Read more

Reviews (1)

Pointlessly Negative
I recently read this book to my 3-year-old after she picked it up at the library. It's the story of how the main character, Froggy, deals with having a new sibling. Froggy wants a brother and ends up with a sister - no doubt a situation some kids can relate to. My problem with the book is that it doesn't really resolve this issue in any positive way. Froggy makes negative comments that border on contemptuous - "A girl? I wanted a brother!" and "pretty good, for a girl." There is no resolution to his feelings - he never says anything positive about girls or changes his mind. The book ends with Froggy, the child figure, having to go take care of his baby sister in the night because his mama frog can't comfort her. There are so many good children's books out there - save your money for those. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Frogs & Toads    2. Babies    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Family - New Baby    8. Family - Siblings    9. Fiction    10. Frogs    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Frogs & Toads   

Reviews (5)

not what I thought
I too loved Happy Birth Day, but this book just makes having a younger sibling seem like a negative experience. When I read it with my 3 yo I have to leave out parts that are too negative. The child in the book acts out badly in light of all the attention the new baby is getting...going as far as wearing baby's hat acting like a baby herself and competing for attention in bratty ways. I'm not saying this won't happen in my own family...but who wants to give their preschooler these ideas? Great to ease that adjustment!
We received this as a gift for my 2 1/2 yr old daughter when our son was born.The pictures are beautiful and the story is so sweet.It definitely helped her with the adjustment of having him around.She really identified with the little girl in the book and still, a year later, she loves to read it.And I love it so much that I am giving it to friends expecting a second child!

A reassuring book
My son loved this book before his little sister was born, and now that she's a year old, we're still reading it. (We change genders for the baby.) It has helped him feel that it's okay to be the big boy and to feel gently superior because of it.I say gently because it's an age-specific superiority which he knows won't last once his sister gets bigger.We started reading it before he was potty trained, and I believe it helped him on that road, too, since using the potty is part of being "superior." :-)I like this book because it acknowledges the confusion, fear and anger that older siblings can have -- and it encourages a nice relationship with the younger sibling. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Family - New Baby    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / New Baby   

Reviews (1)

a worried soon to be sister
this book deserves five stars because it tells kids about how things will still be the same if they become a older sister or brother to someone.Most kids worry about how life will be different with a new baby on the way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Preschool    4. Family - New Baby    5. Family - Siblings    6. Family - Stepfamilies    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Sisters    10. Stepfamilies    11. Stepfamily    12. Picture books   

Reviews (1)

A wonderful book for children!
Every little girl is a princess. And every princess who becomes a big sister will be required to share the throne with the new arrival. And that can be difficult.
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Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Family - New Baby    8. Family - Siblings    9. Fiction    10. Humorous Stories    11. Imagination & Play    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Princesses    15. Sports & Recreation - Imaginative Play    16. Juvenile Fiction / Family / New Baby   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Babies    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 2-3    7. Family - New Baby    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Social Situations - Friendship    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (4)

The Baby Sister
The Baby Sister is a great book with gorgeous illustrations.The illustrations are very colorful, which attracts the eye of the reader.Tommy, the character of the book, is anticipating the birth of his baby sister.Unlike most youngsters, Tommy is excited and eager for his sister to join the family.He specifically wantsa baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair, which I thought was very funny and cute.And what do you know, his wish comes true!
My little sister
Felipe01/07/05
O.K.
This book had some very good illustrations, but I still think that I've read better Tomie dePaola books.This book is about a little boy named Tommy who is expecting a new brother or sister.Tommy wishes and prays for a new baby sister with a {red ribbon in her hair}.But when Tommy's Nana Fall-River comes to visit, she's not too fond of children knowing how babies are born, and doesn't seem too interested in what's going on at all.All Tommy wants to do is go to the hospital to see his baby sister, but things keep coming up, and he just can't.He begins missing his mom and starts not to listen to what his Nana asks him to do.To find out what happens in the end, you'll have to read the book!Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - New Baby    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Family    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Family - Siblings    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Sisters    8. Twins    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Perfect for any toddler
We bought this book when we found out that we were expecting our second child.The book is full of rhymes and repetition, which is perfect for our 2-year old daughter.And most toddlers love animals...my daughter loved pointing out and naming every animal, and the sounds that they make.The illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
THE WONDER OF A NEW BABY
. Great for a toddler with a sibling on the way
This book has incredible illustrations.They are what make the book worth noting.The animals are drawn from unusual perspectives.The horse looms over you (hard to do in a book, I'll admit!), the sparrow perches rather inyour face.Small children--even tiny children--will be able to enjoy thisbook because of the pictures.The story is about a new baby that hasarrived on a farmstead--that is what the bird heard.The rhyming text issweet but predictable.This would be a great book for a toddler with asibling on the way.(I know my toddler was hoping for one after we readthis.)Note, however, that it is a simple book, probably best enjoyed bythe under-four crowd. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Babies    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Domestic animals    6. Family - New Baby    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Early learning / early learning concepts    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Subjects:  1. Aardvark    2. Activity Books - General    3. Animals - General    4. Brothers and sisters    5. Children's Baby/Preschool    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children: Kindergarten    8. Family - Siblings    9. Fiction    10. General    11. Gifts    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Saving and investment    14. Social Issues - General    15. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (2)

Every classroom should have this book.
Dustin can't wait to be a big brother! He attends big brother classes to get ready and when his baby sister arrives on the scene, there's so much he can do to help out. Dustin's Down syndrome is clearly not something that affects the mutual love that he and his baby sister share.This book would be such a welcomed addition to classroom bookshelves as siblings prepare for the birth of a baby in the family.

What we can do for our child with down of syndrome?
I found all of this materials very interested because we have a daughter with down syndrome, she has 17 months she is very sweet and we love her. Thanks very much,Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Down syndrome    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Editorial Review

Stella has as much moxie as Eloise and as much confidence (andred hair) as Pippi, but herspirit of adventure, overactive imagination, and older-sister omnisciencecatapult her into a league of her own. We met the inquisitive, impulsive Stellaand her less reckless little brother, Sam, in Read more

Reviews (4)

Cute
Stella and her little brother Sam go to play in the forest.Sam has a lot of fears, but Stella, who is a know-it-all, dismisses them by reassuring Sam that bears sleep during the day, and snakes are too small to swallow people.The story is cute, but not always accurate.It has about 600 words.

Loved the first one, but this one doesn't hold a candle.
I loved Stella Star of the Sea.The illustrations with that flaming red hair and subtly comic dog, Sam's conservative and inquisitive nature.Stella Queen of the Snow was okay, but didn't have the same uniqueness.The dialogue seemed a bit forced and not as charming as the first.I am sadly disappointed with Stella Fairy of the Forest.It doesn't have any of the wonderful qualities of the Star of the Sea.

Let's Find Fairies......
Stella's back, with her self-assured manner and flaming red hair, and she's ready to take her little brother, Sam, on a forest adventure in search of fairies.And as they walk through the meadow filled with wild flowers and sheep, and cross the stream on stepping stones, Sam is filled with questions and thoughtful comments about the world around them, and as always Stella has all the answers."Do butterflies eat butter?" asked Sam."Yellow butterflies do," said Stella."Then I guess blue butterflies eat pieces of sky," said Sam.And so it goes as they enter the forest filled with "big old trees.""Are they older than Grandma?" asked Sam."Almost," said Stella."They must be at least a hundred years old.""Is that why their skin is so wrinkled?" asked Sam."That's not skin," said Stella."That's bark.""Grandma's bark is much softer," said Sam."Especially on her cheeks."The adventure continues as they watch and discuss forest animals, snakes, and the origin and growth of rocks, build a forest house out of ferns and branches, and watch for fairies.....No one captures the essence of small children, out for a day of imaginative fun and adventure quite like Marie-Louise Gay.Her gentle text is entertaining and engaging, and her ear for sibling dialogue and chatter is unrivaled.It's easy to believe that you're tagging along with Stella and Sam, and listening in on their conversations.Ms Gay's bright and expressive illustrations are captivating, and filled with joy, whimsy, and marvelous detail.Together word and art offer a feast for both the ears and eyes.Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Stella Fairy Of The Forest is a wonderful new addition to Ms Gay's Stella series.Read them all and enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Family - Siblings    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Nature    8. Play    9. Social Issues - New Experience   

Reviews (2)

Goldie makes my 2 1/2 year old laugh out loud!
This book really makes my 2 1/2 year old laugh out loud.He is a big brother and he can really relate to Goldie especially when she has to sit in a time-out to think about her actions. The illustrations are fantastic and my son laughs throughout the whole book.This is a great book about 'mad' feelings.

Not if you have a Nicholas
I ordered this book because my 3 year old has been having issues with her 1 year old brother.I was hoping it would help her learn to express her anger in a more acceptable way (she currently shouts, pushes & takes toys from him).All in all, it's not a bad book.Goldie's brother takes her doll & sucks on her head, Goldie gets mad & ends up in time-out with her doll (she projects her emotions onto the doll, so the doll is in time out too)."We have to think and be sorry"Eventually, they decide they are sorry & that her little brother really isn't so bad & that sometimes he does things she & the doll really like so they don't really want him to disappear.Unfortunately, I have one issue with this book that will cause me to pass it along to someone else's home.When Goldie is mad, she shouts (several times), "I HATE Nicholas".Now since my 1 year old is named Nicholas, I'd really rather not teach his big sister to say, "I Hate Nicholas".Amazingly enough, my 3 year old doesn't 'hate' anything yet & I'd just rather not introduce that word into her vocabulary if I can help it.I'm sure she'll learn it soon enough on her own.So, overall, it's an OK book if you use time-outs, need to teach your child to calm down & see the good things about a younger sibling (who annoys them sometimes), and perhaps already uses the word 'hate'.But not if the younger sibling is a Nicholas... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Babies    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    5. Children: Preschool    6. Family - Siblings    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Siblings    10. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Reviews (3)

A little book full of love
With sweet, simple illustrations and few words, Jan Ormerod paints a beautiful portrait of a loving family. Big sister learns to help, share, and enjoy her new brother. The illustrations show an affectionate family in realistic, every-day situations; washing up, nap time, jogging with Mother, a visit from Grandma, a Saturday picknick, and more. I bought this book for myself before I had children because I thought it was so sweet. It is now a favorite of both my little ones.

Good to teach bro/sis/family how to include baby in the day
The book incorporates many positive examples of how a family can integrate and include a new baby into its routine (i.e., the baby does not have toput a damper on the family time, as too many people think).Lots of imagesof big sister playing with the baby, and a variety of activities.My onlynegative impressions were the baby sleeping in a crib alone, and some ofthe pictures seem outdated (the baby & toddler strapped into the carvia some harness contraption).But it does include babywearing, manyfather-child images, nursing, and an overall positive relationship witheach member of the family.This would be a good book to read to thesoon-to-be big brother or sister to help him/her adjust to the new arrival.

Intimate portraits of magical, messy life with baby
Jan Ormerod renders more than 101 snapshots of life with a small baby in his (her?) charming book, ``101 Things to Do with a Baby." The simple line drawings capture the intimacy of family life, the hundreds of small moments--from splashy baths and windy walks to flower-picking and laundry-sorting, that comprise family life. The tone of the pictures and text is endearing without being sentimental, and the characters--the big sister in particular--are treated with affection and humor. Both my baby and my "big girl" love this book, and have made it a favorite bed-time choice ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Infants   

Reviews (5)

definitely the book for a child getting a new sibling
This book is a completely accurate picture of how our one-year-old clearly does see our five-year-old. What's more, it's been so good for the five-year-old! When we finally had our second child we were so worried about how the first would react we flooded him with all those highly-touted picture books about sibling rivalry. Well, guess what: predictably enough, all those books talking about jealousy only gave him ideas. (Show a four-year-old a story about a kid hitting his brother and guess what, he'll hit his brother. My son would actually say, ``I'm just being like in the book.'') Valorie Fisher's book really helped ease the jealousy by reminding Big Brother of how much Little Brother adores him in every way. And adults will find the sly illustrations and text of this picture book refreshing and hilarious. I highly highly recommend it. I haven't seen Valorie Fisher's ``My Big Sister,'' but it looks similar and is no doubt just as good for a girl. And I'd also recommend the tamer but still charming and helpful ``I Used to Be the Baby'' by Robin Ballard; for siblings who regress and start acting like babies to get attention (which seems to be all of them!) it reminds them of the joys of being grown up. Conversely, for those of you whose second (or third or fourth...) children are feeling a bit, well, too much younger, may I recommend ``Tikki Tikki Tembo'' by Arlene Mosel, and ``Titch'' by Pat Hutchins? As a jealous younger sibling myself, I loved these books.

Funny, Touching, and Real!
This beautifully illustrated book will bring a tear to a (grand)mother's eye although with smiles and warmth.The author speaks through the eyes of a baby admiring a brother 5/6 years older.Perfect for young readers.This book should be nominated for an award... simply wonderful!!

Meet a Modern Day Hero.....
"This is my big brother.Everyone makes a fuss over how big I am, but my brother is REALLY big..."So begins the unseen narrator, as she discusses the merits of her wonderful big brother.As far as she's concerned he's amazing, talented, and can do just about any and every thing.She knows all this because she watches him all day long.He's her superhero... "I love my big brother, and he loves me."Valorie Fisher's debut children's book is filled with sibling love, wonder, and whimsy as it looks at life through the eyes of a baby.Her simple, spare text sets the stage, but it's the stunning and evocative, bold and playful photographs that really steal the show, and bring this special relationship to life.Perfect for preschoolers, My Big Brother is a joyous, fun-filled celebration of siblings that shows that life just gets better for everyone in the family with each new addition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Family - New Baby    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings   

Editorial Review

Where would messy Max be without his older sister Ruby?Certainly not very clean, as evidenced in this amusing tale of young Max's somewhat disastrous bath. Of course, Max is the kind of active bunny who wears everything he eats. As his sister tells him, "You're still hungry, Max, because your sandwich isn't in you, it's all over you." And while Ruby tries her best to clean him up, Max is not quite with the program. When he attempts to eat orange sherbet and grape juice in the bathtub, fascinating complications unfold. Will anyone come out clean in this one? This delightful story is just one in Rosemary Wells's series of eight sturdy Max board books--including Read more

Reviews (6)

Cute but confusing
This book was cute but in one way it was a little confusing.Max and Max's sister appear to be about the same size in most of the pictures so on a first read through I was confused as to why Max was talking in single words and his sister in full ten word fully grammatical sentences.Then it dawned on my that he was supposed to be a lot younger than she was? The pictures are cute, the story charming but I wish Max had been drawn as much smaller so that he was obviously a younger brother.It would have made more sense to me.

Adorable tale about clean and dirty.
Laugh aloud with Max, as his big sister Ruby endeavors to give him a bath. Max, a typical little "boy" bunny has just finished eating his lunch, and as with most toddlers, half of his lunch is all over him rather than in his belly.Big sister Ruby decides Max needs a bath, so as he waits for the tub to fill, Max enjoys some orange sherbet, and a cup of grape juice.He decides his bath would be more fun eating the sherbet in the water, so as one can expect, the sherbet finds its way into the bathwater and Ruby must start over.The same thing happens with the grape juice; consequently Ruby decides to give Max a shower, "You're going in the shower to get CLEAN, said Ruby."The story ends with Max pointing at Ruby's dress saying, "DIRTY," because in her attempt to bathe her little brother, she accumulates bits of orange sherbet and grape juice all over her dress.Max's expression is priceless! A rare toddler book that parents love
This is one of the Max board book series that also includes Max's Birthday, Max's Toys, andMax's Bedtime. They are supposedly intended for children from birth to age 2 or so. There are also several non-board books aboutMax(Max's Chocolate Chicken, and Bunny Money are my favorites) with longer stories designed for slightly older children.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Rabbits    2. Baths    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    5. Children: Preschool    6. Family - General    7. Family - Siblings    8. Fiction    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Rabbits    12. Toddlers    13. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    14. Board books   

Reviews (2)

Arthur's Pen Pal
This book is about a pen pal.Arthur thinks that his pen pal is a boy but it is a girl for real.I liked this book because it had really good pictures.I didn't like this book because it was too hard to read.I think kids should read this book.

Arthur's Pen Pal
This book is about Arthur's pen pal. I liked this book because it is cool. I didn't like this book because it had some hard words. I think this book is cool.It's really fun. I think kids should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Chimpanzees    6. Fiction    7. Pen pals    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Social Issues - Friendship    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

Editorial Review

One quiet evening, Frances the badger is sitting under the kitchen sink, singing a little song, "Here are the buckets and brushes and me, / Plinketty, plinketty, plinketty, plee." When she stops singing to listen for parental coos of approval, she hears nothing. Frances is sure it's all her new baby sister's fault. It's why she has no raisins for her cereal, and it's why her new dress isn't ready for her to wear to school. She thinks she may run away after dinner. And she does! She takes her carefully packed knapsack and settles in under the dining-room table. Read more

Reviews (10)

Excellent follow up to Bread and Jam for Frances
What a great book!I remember this book from my childhood, and when my goddaughter was born I knew that I had to get it for her.A classic for all ages--truly stands the test of time.
Still a great book.
I read this book to my daughter after her little brother was born 35 years ago; read it to her daughter (my granddaughter) six years ago after my grandson's birth; and plan to read it to my son's daughter as she awaits the birth of her first sibling.By the way, my children "ran away" under the dining room table, and so do my grandchildren.And we all believe that some badgers can talk, sing, and drink from bottles.

Good book to prepare for new sibling
There are a lot of books out there to prepare older children for siblings, but this is one of our favorites. Frances has a new baby sister, and all of a sudden there are no more raisins for the oatmeal (Mother didn't have time to shop), and her blue dress isn't ironed (the yellow one is and Mother has a new ribbon for her hair, but Frances still declares, "Things are not very good around here anymore!") She decides to run away under the dining room table. I love the raised-voice discussion of the parents about what a wonderful and inspiring big sister Frances is and how it's just not the same without her. I've even been known to get tears in my eyes over the part where Mother Badger says, "Goodness knows I like babies. But a baby is not a family," and Father answers back, "Isn't that a fact. A family is everybody all together." Those words are what prompts Frances to come "home."
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Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Badgers    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - New Baby    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Sisters    10. Juvenile Fiction / Family / New Baby    11. Picture books   

Reviews (6)

A bit harsh
In fairness, this book DOES portray real-life for the older sibling of twins.However, I found it harsh and unpleasant as it mostly deals with the negative aspects until the end.I think the older siblings already know the negative aspects, and need to focus on the more positive aspects of having twin babies in the house!We read it once and that was it.

A must for the big sister of twins
This book really expresses the joys and frustrations of being the Big Sister to twins (and the parents too). We received this as a gift and it is still a family favorite.Our "special big girl" is 6 1/2 and our twinnies are just turning 5. Give this to someone you know who is expecting a double blessing. The illustrations are colorful and are right on the mark!

Our twins loved it!
Our son and our daughter both read twinnies. Because they are twins they could really relate and both were happy for the happy ending. A cute fun read on twins and an older siblings feelings for twins.Read more

Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - New Baby    5. Family - Siblings    6. Fiction    7. Infants    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Sisters    10. Twins    11. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings    12. Picture books   

Subjects:  1. Alexander, Martha    2. Babies    3. Brothers and sisters    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Family - New Baby    7. Family - Siblings    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings   

Reviews (1)

Peter's nameless sister
This is the worst book in the Snappy series, but it is still cute. Peter Penguin is jealous of his new sister, who never gets a name in this book. He goes running away and gets lost. He loves to chat to himeself and his baby sister chats back and finds him. Then he returns home and they chitter chatter all day long together. Simple story, cute drawings. The problem i have with it is the baby sister does not get a name. My 9-month-old does like to chew on Peter's round black head though. Not a bad book, but other's in this series are a lot better like Penny Polar bear, Lucy Lobster and Tiny Tyanasourous. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Birds    4. Animals - General    5. Animals - Zoos    6. Brothers and sisters    7. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    8. Children: Babies & Toddlers    9. Family - New Baby    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Penguins    13. Specimens    14. Toy and movable books    15. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure