Customer Reviews

I'm a Big Sister

5 star:		(99)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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."

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.

I love this book because it's short enough to read to a toddler, yet not "babyish". It doesn't automatically assume that the new big sister will have problems with jealousy; instead it addresses the reason she will celebrate having a new baby in the family.

It shows the new sibling really involved in the care of the baby too. The only quibble I have is that I wish it showed a nursing mother *and* a dad feeding with a bottle, instead of just the bottle.

My 2 1/2 year old daughter LOVES this book - it is exactly what I was looking for to help explain her new role in our family as a big sister. She is so excited about the birth of our baby and is eager to help. The book makes the big sister feel very special and points out all of the things that the big sister can do that babies can't (eating pizza, apples and ice cream, for instance!). We've had this book 3 weeks and every night my daughter has demanded we read it to her - now she has the whole book memorized and reads it to her dolls! I'm so glad I found this one!

Yes, yes. This is EXACTLY what we needed when our friend had a new baby and the five-year-old sister was a little concerned about her role in the family. This is all positive reinforcement -- none of the negative stuff I found in other books like how the baby gets all the attention, etc. This makes the girl feel as special as she is (I'm sure the boy book is the same way) and is presented with ideas for things to do and nice illustrations. I highly recommend it!

The Big Sister in this house can't get enough of this book! We received this book at a baby shower, and our daughter absolutely LOVES it. Every night before bed, we MUST "read the Big Sister," and after I tuck her in and leave, my daughter, at 2 1/2, reads it again to herself (from memory, of course!). Cole does a wonderful job of showing the Big Sister playing with the baby, holding the baby, and helping to care for the baby. I believe the book has several strengths: First, the family togetherness theme is very strong--the family is together at the beginning and end of the book. Second, the big sister knows to Ask to hold the baby (which my daughter emulates quite nicely). Third, the big sister is reminded that she was once little, just like the baby, but she is now big and can do "big girl" things. And, most importantly, Cole STRONGLY affirms the Big Sister as her own special person who is still very much loved, even though this new baby has arrived.

My daughter likes to play, "Where's the ___?" on every page, pointing to each character and object, and we can't turn the page until we've found each and every thing! It takes a while to read the book, but it's a great bonding time with her. On top of the great content, it doesn't get tiresome for me to read every night, because it's not repetitive or obnoxious, as some childrens' books can be.

We received this book shortly after our son was born, and our 2-1/2 year old daughter loved it right away. She still asks to read it, 7 months later. She loves being a big sister, and the book reinforces it in a very positive way. She identifies with the character, down to wanting to get hair bows just like in the illustrations. We like that it is gender-specific as to the "big" sibling, but not the baby.

We received this sensational book right after our two year old became a big sister. She loves the book and points out the objects that are like the ones she has. She wants her bunny with her when we read the book (most every night) because the big sister has a bunny. Since it is gender specific, she relates to the story and understands herself as a big sister. Very much like the father participating in baby care and the helpful information at the back of the book about introducing a baby into your family. I now give this as a gift everytime I can.

My 18 month old daughter and I read this book together several times each day during my last month of pregnancy. For a few weeks it was her favourite story. She loved it and would even make crying baby noises on the appropriate page. I think it helped prepare her for the arrival of her sibling and now she is a wonderful "big sister" and aware her brother is "too little to talk, too little to walk" etc. My only complaint about this book is the assumption that the baby will be bottle fed rather than breast fed.