No Bigger than My Teddy Bear [Paperback]

Valerie Pankow (Author), Gwen Connoly (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 097284600X | ISBN-13: 978-0972846004 | Publication Date: July 1, 2011 | Edition: 2nd Revised

No Bigger than My Teddy Bear is a gentle story that describes life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery through the eyes of a young child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Having a baby in the NICU can be a very stressful time for any parent, but what is often overlooked is just how stressful it can be to a sibling. Valerie Pankow's book, No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear can be just the tool to help an older brother or sister through such a trying time. With simple, straight forward language, Pankow describes the NICU experience as seen through the eyes of a new big brother. From his sibling's premature birth through to the homecoming, the overwhelming sights and sounds of the NICU are translated into terms that any child can understand. Coming full circle, this book could also be useful in explaining to an older preemie what life was like in his/her earliest days. Altogether, No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear can be a gentle comfort for parents, siblings and even preemies themselves. It is a fine addition to any preemie parent's library. --Preemie Magazine 2006 Winter Issue

Under the best of circumstances, siblings need reassurance, information, and support to cope with the arrival of a new baby in the family. These needs intensify greatly if the baby is born prematurely. Valerie Pankow's well written and illustrated account of her son's reactions to his premature brother offers a child's eye view of the intensive care nursery--one which will help inform and support other children with a teddy bear-sized new baby. --Helen Harrison Author of the Premature Baby Book

I got this for our granddaughter who is almost 3yrs of age and will become a big sister this summer. She was a preemie herself and spent a month in the NICU. She likes learning about her early days and has really enjoyed this book. I also think it will be really helpful for her to have read it so many times if this new baby happens to arrive early also. --J. Clarke, Nurse Manager White Oak Books Customer Review

About the Author

Valerie Pankow is a freelance writer and longtime elementary school teacher. As an avid fan of children's literature, she has a keen interest in books which help children through difficult situations. When faced with the premature birth of her third son, Brendan, she was surprised at the lack of children's literature on the subject. Knowing her young sons at home needed help processing the situation, she sat down when Brendan was only three months old and wrote No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear. She sees it as an effective tool for parents in the tumultuous weeks and months that follow the birth of their preemies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Family Books; 2nd Revised edition (July 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097284600X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972846004
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Valerie Pankow is a freelance writer and longtime elementary school teacher. As an avid fan of children's literature, she has a keen interest in books which help children through difficult situations. When faced with the premature birth of her third son, Brendan, she was surprised at the lack of children's literature on the subject. Knowing her young sons at home needed help processing the situation, she sat down when Brendan was only three months old and wrote "No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear." She sees it as an effective tool for parents in the tumultuous weeks and months that follow the birth of their preemies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, September 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear (Paperback)

My daughter, 5 yrs. old, loves this story. She was born at 32 weeks, and she loves reading about the NICU experience, and knowing and understanding how things happened after her birth. At least 2 years after we purchased this book, her sister was also born early at 31/32 weeks. Being one of her favorite stories for so long, she was also well prepaired for the early arrival of her sister. This is a must have storybook for once-upon-a-time preemies, as well as those with preemie siblings. I was so happy to discover it, as there are very few children's stories about prematurity!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jeanne Clarke Nurse Manager, March 18, 2006

By 

Edmund W. Clarke "Jeanne Clarke" (Manhattan Beach) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Bigger than My Teddy Bear (Paperback)

I purchased this book to give siblings when they visit in our NICU. The NICU nurses use it to teach the children about the unit and the newest member of their family. It is a wonderful resource to have.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book fot preemie families, December 30, 2011

By 

Melissa - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear (Paperback)

I purchased this book after was daughter was born weighing only 1 lb. It was a famaily favorite when she was little then we passed it on to our local NICU.