Customer Reviews

I'm a Big Brother

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This updated version, illustrated by Rosalinda Kightley, is better than the original. The original never showed the mother holding the baby whereas the new version does, a couple of times. Neither version shows breastfeeding but the new version cuts back on the bottle feeding at least. My son loves this book and we have tried many. He is 28 months old and most books are too old for him or too detailed to capture his attention. We first borrowed this book from the library, along with all of the others we've tried, and had to buy it after renewing it 3 times. I also like the fact that the book does not address negative feelings the older sibling may have. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it; why give him any ideas? Another great choice on this subject is On Mother's Lap by Ann Herbert Scott. My son also loves the Sesame Street video Three Bears and a New Baby. If you are looking for a parenting book for yourself on this subject, try Welcoming Your Second Baby, by Vicky Lansky or Keys to Preparing and Caring for Your Second Child, by Meg Zweiback. Avoid the book From One Child to Two, by Judy Dunn. Dunn's book was so indecisive and negative, we might not be having another child after reading it if I hadn't already been pregnant.

Our 2 1/2 year old has really taken to this book--it's perfectly age appropriate. It is NOT wordy, like one negative review said. 2-3 simple, short sentences per two page spreads is not wordy for a two year old. The pictures are simple and it addresses how a baby cannot do the same things as a big boy--walk, talk, eat pizza, etc. It has a very positive tone and talks about all the nice things a big brother can do for a new (genderless, so it works for everyone) baby; i.e. sing a song, hold gently after asking Mommy, helping Daddy with diaper, keeping the baby warm and cozy.

One negative review complained that the mother doesn't hold the baby at all--that's just not true. It shows her holding the baby on two separate pages to be exact...same as Dad and the Big Brother. It does show the baby in a stroller, so if you think strollers are terrible, I guess you'll dislike that.

I do agree with the complaints that it doesn't address nursing at all. Not many books do--I wish it had one page showing Mom nursing the baby with a simple "Sometimes babies drink milk from Mommy too." along with the bottle. But it only shows a bottle in passing in any case.

If you have an 18 month-3 year old about to be a big brother, this book is a perfect introduction for them. Well worth it!

I got this book for my 2 year old (26 months) and he really enjoys it! I don't think he really understands that there's a baby in my belly that will be coming home soon but he likes to read about the baby and point out the baby items on the pages. He asks for it to be read again and again. I really like how positive the book is and I think it really gets my son used to hearing the term BIg Brother in a positive way. I think it's also great that it talks about how special he is and that he'll be special in a new way once he's a big brother.

I think this is a very age appropriate book for a 2-4 yr old. Easy concepts to understand. My 3 yr old likes this book very much.

We recently purchased this book to read weekly to our toddler to help him understand that the new baby is coming. He is still very young, so he only understand bit and pieces at this point, but this book is wonderfully written, simply for toddlers and preschoolers to grasp the concepts, and a wonderful way to help your older child feel uniquely special in their new role. I would recommend this book to anyone expecting a new baby in the home.

This book is a cute story but mostly I like that it realistically portrays a baby (can't eat ice cream, pizza, sleeps a lot, etc) and plays up the pro's of being a big kid (get's to do all the fun things a baby can't do yet!). I bought it for my 2yr old son since were expecting his little brother and he really likes the pictures and pointing out the baby. I think these type of books are a good way to expose him a little to the idea that there's going to be someone new in the house while also not overwhelming him with baby information that would be over his head.

Sent this along as a gift for the big brother who had a little sister on the way. It was perfect because then he had a gift when Mommy came home with all the new things for Baby Alice. And Mommy appreciated the chance to talk about the baby while reading this with him. Perfect!

I absolutely love this book. This will be perfect for my 4 year old son. I really like how the book explains the reality of a baby such as things like being too small to play and how they cry when they need something. Really great concepts to start getting my boy to understand before the baby comes. Well done, great price, quick shipment.

We are about a week out from baby #2 and started reading this to our 3.5 year old and he is starting to understand his role and baby's. Great Starter.

We read this book to our son several times a week. New baby is coming soon, and he seems to get the basic idea. This book shows both parents taking care of the baby, and the sibling helping out. I love that it doesn't focus on having to share attention, etc, as the harder parts of being a sibling are going to present themselves as time goes by and I'd rather focus on the positives with our 3 year old.