Big Brother Dustin [Hardcover]

Alden R. Carter (Author), Dan Young (Illustrator), Carol Carter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

A boy with Down Syndrome helps his parents and grandparents get ready for the birth of his baby sister and chooses the perfect name for her.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3. All librarians will want to put this title on their "new baby" bibliographies. Dustin is excited when his parents tell him he will have a new baby sister after the New Year. He eagerly helps his parents ready the nursery and makes a visit to the local hospital to learn about the care of babies. He is also responsible for picking the perfect name for his new sister. This charming introduction to the topic is illustrated with colorful, full-color photographs that capture the everyday world and experiences of young children. According to the CIP, Dustin has Down syndrome. His joy at being a big brother shines in the photos. The book is crisply organized with an easy-to-read text and an appealing snapshot album at the end with pictures of Dustin and MaryAnn as she begins to grow. A welcome addition.?Maura Bresnahan, Topsfield Town Library, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. Dustin, a young boy with Down syndrome, is excited when he learns that his mother is going to have a baby. Dustin makes it his job to find just the perfect name for his baby sister, but the choices he comes up with are not quite right. It is only when Dustin puts together the names of his grandmothers, Mary and Ann, that he has found the name that pleases everyone. The simple story line is bolstered by appealing, crisp color photographs. Dustin is shown attending a class for new siblings, helping prepare the baby's room, and visiting MaryAnn in the hospital. The last few pages are a scrapbook featuring photos of Dustin and the new baby. The accent is on Dustin as a boy who experiences many of the same emotions as other big-brothers-to-be (though there is not a hint of sibling rivalry), and libraries should find this a useful addition to their collections. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807507156
• ISBN-13: 978-0807507155
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,108,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alden Carter's thirty-year career includes publication of novels for young adults and adults, nonfiction books on a wide range of topics, and picture books for and about special needs children. Among numerous awards, his novels have been named six times to the American Library Association's list of Best Books of the Year. His adult novel of the Civil War, Bright Starry Banner, was awarded the prestigious John Esten Cooke Fiction Award. A popular speaker, he has given over 600 presentations in schools and at conferences for writers and educators. A former teacher and naval officer, he lives in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with his wife, Carol. They have two adult children: Brian, an architect, and Siri, a college student.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every classroom should have this book., February 14, 2004

By 

Tracy Beck (WATERDOWN, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Brother Dustin (Hardcover)

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.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What we can do for our child with down of syndrome?, May 22, 2000

By 

Mara Bonilla (Uruguay) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Brother Dustin (Hardcover)

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,

Mara