The Baby Sister (Picture Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Tomie dePaola (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 21, 1999 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Books

Tommy's so excited that his mom is having a baby, and he asks her for a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair. But he didn't ask for stern Nana Fall-River to come while his mom is in the hospital. Tommy and Nana don't get along very well, but when little Maureen is born, all the trouble is forgotten.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW's starred review praised this "richly textured" autobiographical tale about a boy eager for the birth of a new sibling. Ages 4-8. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS?Another of dePaola's family stories. This one depicts young Tommy's anticipation of the arrival of his new sibling. In tightly framed paintings, the boy helps ready the nursery; draws and cuts paper decorations (his signature birds, hearts, and flowers); and eagerly awaits Aunt Nell's arrival. However, when his mother goes to the hospital, it is his forceful and dour Italian Nana who happens to be available for baby-sitting. Worse, because chicken pox is going around, Tommy can't even visit his mother after his sister is born. But all ends well?he and his Nana patch up their quarrels, and he gets to hold Maureen when all the relatives have gathered. This title goes along with The Art Lesson (1994), Tom (1993), and Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs (1973, all Putnam), all tales based on dePaola's memories. As a "waiting for the baby to arrive" story, though, this one seems as sedate and old-fashioned as its late-1930s setting.?Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698117735
• ISBN-13: 978-0698117730
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > New Sibling

More About the Author

"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.
He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.
- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars O.K., March 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Baby Sister (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

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!

I would recommend this book to people because in it, Tommy learns that even though someone may not be so nice and kind to you, being nice and kind to them in return doesn't hurt anything. Rebelling against the things that people want you to do {especially your parents, won't get you anywhere} That's something that children these days should learn. So even though I didn't think that this was one of his best books, it still has a good message to children

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my son's favorites!, June 6, 2001

By 

Kristen Cardozo (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Baby Sister (Hardcover)

My two-year-old absolutely loves this book. Unlike most of the other good books for expectant siblings, this book doesn't discuss any abivalent feelings concerning a new baby. While this could be a detriment in another book, here it seems beautifully appropriate. The autobiographical main character, Tommy, wants a baby sister more than anything else, and the happy ending comes when he gets his wish and meets his little sister. This is a beautifully simple and charming story with lovely, gentle pictures. I know that this book helped us to announce our pregnancy to my son. Even though he has other books on this topic, 'The Baby Sister' is his favorite, with 'Julius, the Baby of the World' taking a close second.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My little sister, January 12, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Baby Sister (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Felipe 01/07/05

Book Review

My little sister by Tommy dePaola is a amazing chindren's book. It is all about this little boy called tommy and how he gets a new and beautiful little baby sister. This book shows many expressions. This book is my favorite children's book ever I liked it so much I read it over and over until it was time to go home from school. I love this book so much and it is all because of the hilarious humor in it. I defiantly recommend this book because I am share you will fall in love with it.