I'm a Big Sister [Hardcover]

Joanna Cole (Author), Rosalinda Kightley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

My Big Boy Potty

My Big Girl Potty

When You Were Inside Mommy

Sharing is Fun

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. The texts in these two books are identical, with the exception of the gender terms. Cole has successfully captured the youngsters' voices, making it easy for readers to identify with them, whether the books are being read aloud or alone. Familiar situations, as well as positive reinforcement of individuality and importance as part of the family, are good reasons to put this book into the hands of children who will soon be older siblings. A concluding "Note to Parents" in each book offers suggestions on how to communicate with older children about the changes that are coming. Like the texts, the engaging illustrations are the same in both books. Aside from the obvious difference of a boy in one and a girl in the other, the scenes are set up the same?the family at the park, looking at pictures, the father and older sibling giving the baby a bottle, etc. Unfortunately, the artist differentiates between a big brother and a big sister by showing the boy playing with trucks and building blocks, while the girl entertains dolls at a tea party. Sadly, due to these pictures, boys are unlikely to read about the big sister, which makes a case for a library to purchase both titles. Even if only one is feasible, it is certainly a solid addition to any collection.?Dina Sherman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

First published in 1997, this clearly written, reassuring picture-book text has been newly illustrated with paper-collage artwork that is a bit cluttered but cheerful. A girl with a new baby in the house contrasts what babies do with what she can do, then talks about how special she is to her parents. An appended note advises parents on encouraging good sibling relationships. Libraries with nice copies of the original big-sister/brother books may want to keep them, but others will be glad to find new editions of this simple, positive, and perennially useful picture book and its companion volume, I’m a Big Brother. Preschool-Grade 1. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperFestival; Revised edition (January 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061900621
• ISBN-13: 978-0061900624
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (132 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Cole, Joanna
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > New Sibling
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > New Baby

More About the Author

Joanna Cole s a former elementary school teacher and librarian and a frequent contributor to Parents magazine. Joanna Cole lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up from a big sister, June 18, 2001

By 

Jennifer L. Rogers (St. Louis, Mo USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm a Big Sister (Hardcover)

This book was a gift to my daughter when we announced we were expecting our second child. Prior to his birth, my daughter was only mildly interested, but after he was here, it became a bed time staple. In simple, reassuring language and pictures, a little girl explains that, even though the new baby has brought changes, she is still a special and important part of her family. I especially liked that the book modeled appropriate behavior for older siblings, while acknowleding the realities that accompany the baby (it cries, it needs a lot of attention, and it doesn't play). This book comes in a big brother version, too. A great gift to bring to the older sibling when you give a baby gift to the younger one.

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book to introduce the "new baby" to a young child., October 14, 1999

By 

Kathryn Cullinan (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm a Big Sister (Hardcover)

I used this book first to introduce the idea of a new baby to my 2 year old daughter. She loves the pictures of the entire family involved in care of the new baby. She consistently requests this book over all others. I like that the author explains why the baby cries (because she might be wet or hungry) and involves the big sister in the daily care of the child. The importance of big sister's role in the family is played up. The story is told by the "big sister" and ends with Mom and Dad hugging the big sister and her confident exclamation that they love her and that she's "the only me."

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a gem!, October 11, 2003

By 

Just Another Opinion (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I'm a Big Sister (Hardcover)

This is a terrific book. The main (nameless) character is a big sister now, and she explains what it's like to have a new baby in the house. ("The new baby is so little...too little to walk, too little to talk, to little to eat candy or apples or ice cream...") I have given this book to little girls with new siblings, and it has become a daily must-read. The book puts the emphasis on the newness of big-sisterhood rather than on the new baby, and that is a treat when there is a newborn in the house. The girls can really identify with the big sister in the book, and they love seeing that other babies do just what their little sibling does! Of course, the book includes the message that Mom & Dad have enough love for the big sister and the baby, and that a new baby is another part of a loving family.