Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First [Hardcover]

Paula Danziger (Author), G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Barfburger Baby isn't the only name Jonathon has for his new baby brother, Daniel. Sure, he spits up all the time, but Gasburger Baby and Snotburger Baby also fit him--for obvious reasons.
And today all the relatives are coming over to meet the baby. They make silly faces and coo at Daniel. Jonathon just doesn't get it. Why does everyone make such a big deal out of the baby? And why do they still insist on calling him his baby nickname--Jonathon Pookie Bear? He doesn't even play with Pookie Bear anymore. But he does know just where to find him, and he figures out the perfect way to pass his nickname on so he can be just Jonathon.
For the first time, Paula Danziger shares her unparalleled pitch-perfect view of childhood in a picture book, and G. Brian Karas marvelously captures the emotions and family dynamics so that kids and parents will cringe and grin in recognition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–When his newborn brother comes home, five-year-old Jonathon doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. Daniel is just smelly, drooly, and burpy. After Mom bans calling him names like Barfburger Baby, Gasburger Baby, or Poopburger Baby, Jonathon starts building a wall of blocks to separate himself from his new sibling. Visiting relatives try to make the child feel loved and included, but they only manage to enrage him more. Finally, a self-confident and teasing older cousin–who knows a thing or two about being a big brother–makes life more bearable by showing Jonathon the privileges of being the eldest. Danziger captures the humor and reality of making the transition from only child to older sibling, and Karas's warm cartoon illustrations provide fun punch lines to many of the jokes. While there are numerous books dealing with this topic, this one rings particularly true.–Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-K. "He just lies there, drooling and smelling like he's doing other things . . . Poopburger Baby." The late Danziger's first picture book brings to sibling rivalry the same funny, honest, unromantic view of childhood she displayed in her Amber Brown easy-to-reads, and Karas' clear, cartoon-style pictures stay true to five-year-old Jonathon's furious viewpoint and his wild jealousy at being displaced by a new baby brother. While everyone coos and fusses, Jonathon invents vicious, silly names and imagines disastrous comeuppance fantasies for the intruder. The wordplay and the expressive gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations work perfectly together. Yes, they'll play pirates--and the picture shows Jonathon shoving the baby into a shark's jaws; sure, they'll play spaceship--and he'll launch Snotburger Baby into space. There's no sweet resolution. Jonathon's annoying cousins also poke fun at each other and at him, even while they play and fight together. The scenarios are immediate, the insults are gross, and the hurt and anger ring true. Family fun that's great to talk about. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399232044
• ISBN-13: 978-0399232046
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards. Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. "I want people who want to become writers to read lots, write and rewrite lots, take acting lessons to learn about character development, observe people and not to be afraid of not being perfect. As for those people who don't want to be writers, I hope that you will always continue to read and also not be afraid of not being perfect." "I have two sets of heroes: One--bright, creative teachers, who manage to stay in the classroom. And, two--people who have difficult childhoods and manage to use the experiences to grow into caring, understanding adults."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical reactions to a new baby, September 15, 2005

By 

Jennifer Tanouye - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First (Hardcover)

My 3 and 5-year olds can't get enough of this book. The funny things that the older brother in the story calls his new baby brother have my kids rolling with laughter. We now give this to friends and family as a "big brother or sister" present when a new baby is born.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!, September 6, 2007

By 

Brandy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First (Picture Puffin Books) (Paperback)

My daughter became a big sister at age two. Seven months later she still begs me nearly every day to read this. She giggles endlessly the whole time! A must have when you're expecting a new baby!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for older kids adding a sibling also, September 14, 2008

By 

K. Smith (La Canada, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First (Hardcover)

I bought this for my 5-yr-old son when we adopted a 2-yr-old. He loved it so much we bought it for his cousin when her parents added a baby when she was 7 yrs-old. She thought it was great also!