I'm Going to be a Big Brother! by Brenda Bercun, Sue Gross (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

These colorful tales are designed to help prepare older siblings for the arrival of a new baby brother or sister. By providing discussion prompts, these books help give parents the language needed to speak to their older children in a way that is supportive, complimentary, and caring. Through a variety of descriptions—from which toys are safe for babies and which are dangerous, to the importance of hand washing and picking up the baby only when a grown up is there to help—Sam and Amanda learn what it means to be a big brother or sister. A discussion about the real-life issue of parents' temporary absence while at the hospital prepares youngsters for what might otherwise be a confusing and frightening time. The books' handy tip sheets succinctly detail hints for supporting the older child, and the accompanying musical CD contains upbeat and catchy tunes that emphasize the special bond between brothers and sisters.

Parental Wisdom

The quality of the book is terrific, very well done.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-These books are essentially identical except for a few minor stereotypical differences such as showing the girl's toys to include makeup whereas the boy has tools. Each one is a didactic exploration of how a household gets ready for a new baby and what it means to be the older sibling. Readers are cautioned about dangerous toys versus safe toys and are advised to always wash their hands before touching the baby's hands and toys. One page answers the question, "Mommy, how will the baby come out of your belly?" and the uterus and the birth canal are introduced. The books address the logistics of who will care for the child while Mommy's in the hospital, which in these cases is Grandma. Finally, several pages are devoted to the older sibling's role: "Being a big brother [sister] means being a teacher and an example to your sister or brother." The volumes work hard to be comprehensive with a congratulatory letter from the author, a final page of tips for parents, a Web site, and even a catchy song on CD that again emphasizes the role of the older sibling. While much useful information is imparted here, the writing is stilted and lackluster. The clarity of the page design along with bright, simple line drawings will help attract readers' attention, but may not sustain it with these overly idealistic presentations.-Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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