The New Baby and Me! – Christine Kidney, illustrations by Hoda Haddadi

The New Baby and Me! – Christine Kidney, illustrations by Hoda Haddadi, Tiny Owl, 9781910328187, 2020

Format: PDF Review (Hardcover available September, 2020)

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5+

Genre: Picture

 What did you like about the book? This is an absolutely perfect book to have for a family with young children that are expecting another little bundle of joy. This story features five very different siblings that are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new brother. One sibling loves to explore, so they are sure that this new baby brother will love going on adventures. Another sibling loves science experiments, so this new sibling can join in on creating all kinds of amazing concoctions. Each sibling has a special interest or talent — art, pirate adventures, and dreamer and they are each sure that their new baby brother will want to share these interests with them. The baby’s arrival brings a special surprise for the five siblings–they have a new baby sister, not a baby brother! As they watch her grow, they realize that she is a lot like all of them, but mostly she is just who she is supposed to be.

The artwork provided by Hoda Haddadi is a joy to see in this book. She uses a collage method with bright, vivid colors of paper. In the back of the book, Haddadi provides some tips on making beautiful art using a collage method and even some project ideas children can do to welcome a sibling into their home.

Anything you did not like about the book. Nothing

To whom would you recommend this book? This book can be enjoyed by families who are expecting a new sibling into their home. The age range would be about two years old to seven or eight years old–mainly because it can help prepare children for a new sibling and the craft ideas are great as well.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries, preschools, daycare centers, anyone who works with children between the ages of two and eight years old.

Where would you shelve it? Picture Books

 Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes, it seems parents are always looking for books to help ease the transition with a new sibling, so I think this will go off the shelf frequently.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Kristin Guay, former youth services librarian.

Date of review: June 25, 2020