Brand-New Baby Blues [Hardcover]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The good ol' days are over.
It's official, it's the news!
With my brand-new baby brother
came the brand-new baby blues!

When a new baby wears her old pajamas, sleeps in her old bed, and seems to get all her parents' attention, a girl's bound to sing the blues. Is there anything a baby brother can do to change her tune?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Eldest siblings of the world can unite behind the older sister in this picture book, who expresses her frustrations at the arrival of a new baby in rhyme: “Everything is changed. / I’m not the one and only. / My whole life’s rearranged.” The young speaker is frustrated that her new brother excels at only a few things: purloining previously spoken-for teddy bears and parental attentions, sleeping, eating, and filling his diaper. Fortunately, as the pages turn, the girl changes her tune and admits that the little guy is awfully cute and may just be of some use, once “he’s a brother, not a baby!” Appelt sums up feelings authentically in this quick, sympathetic read, and as the blues transform into a hymn, they’re accompanied by attractive, if not particularly noteworthy, illustrations. This title doesn’t break new ground, but kids may find that this offers a reassurance of love and hope for better times to come, just when they need it most. Preschool-Grade 2. --Andrew Medlar

About the Author

Kathi Appelt is the award-winning author of many children's books, including Bat Jamboree, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, and Incredible Me!, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Ms. Appelt teaches creative writing to both children and adults and lives in College Station, Texas.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060532335
• ISBN-13: 978-0060532338
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This enchanting story in rhyme about the "new baby" will gently help ease the jealous woes of the older child!, February 8, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brand-New Baby Blues (Hardcover)

It was lots of fun being an only child. A little girl is everything to her parents and the sun rose and set around her. She could ride on Daddy's shoulders and Mommy was all about cuddling and certainly was her little princess. She was all smiles. She smiled when she was in her pink tutu and Daddy danced with her. She smiled when she drew a picture of the family . . . no new baby there. She smiled when she had on her princess crown, waved her wand and clutched her teddy close. All was well until that baby brother came along. Ugh! All was NOT well with her world.

It makes me sad, it makes me mad,
it makes me want to roar!
It makes me want to stomp my feet
across the kitchen floor.

`Cause the good ol' days are over.
It's official, it's the news!
With my brand-new baby brother
came the brand-new baby blues!"

This enchanting story in rhyme about the "new baby" will gently help ease the jealous woes of the older child. I especially liked the subtle way this story began to change from the young child's disenchantment and upset to actually seeing the advantages and special future this baby might hold in her life. The rhyming sequence made the story fun and didn't skip a beat. The artwork was amazingly quaint and broadly caught the emotions of the older sibling. The angry zippered-look teeth exhibited just before a sure fire jealous tantrum says it all. If you have a new baby on the way or a little one with an older sibling, this is an utterly charming book you may wish to consider!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Blues, January 11, 2010

By 

Clifford Fry (College Station, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brand-New Baby Blues (Hardcover)

I have wondered when a children's book would come out about this jealousy of a newborn. it does not only happen with young children. I have a daughter with Rett Syndrome. She is the center of our universe at home, and she is a blessing in the joy and purity that she usually exhibits. She was in her late teens when our first grandchild was born. There as obvious wonderment and "Brand New Baby Blues" that our daughter exhibited. She was not fond of me holding the new grandchild and exhibiting the love that had flowed her way only. Then, the "Brand New Baby Blues" hit our first grandchild when the second one was born. I wish I had had this book to read to her, as it acknowledges these blues (in a cute way - the lyrics flow kind of like a folk song, and the illustrations are superb) but resolve in the end that having the "new one" has its advantages and there is enough love for all. Good read.