I Used to Be the Baby [Hardcover]

Robin Ballard (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

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

"I used to be the baby, but now I am big." So begins this story of a not-very-big sibling who suddenly finds himself with a baby brother. He willing shares his toys with the baby, he plays with him, and he knows when to be quiet. He sings a cheerful song when it is needed, and he teaches his brother many useful lessons. But sometimes even the biggest of us likes to be the baby -- and in this loving family, that is no problem at all!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"I used to be the baby, but now I am big. I have a baby brother, and I help Mommy take care of him," begins Ballard's (My Day, Your Day) reassuring tale of brotherly love. The big brother narrator alternates between observations of various situations ("He always wants to take my toys") and proposed solutions ("I will give him some of his"). One spread, for example, presents a small framed vignette of the baby trying to chew the pages of a book ("He tries to eat my books"). Immediately to the right, a full-bleed pen-and-ink and watercolor illustration that takes up two-thirds of the spread shows big brother and baby sharing board books while their mother, in the background, shuffles by with the laundry ("He can have his own books, and I will read to him"). The format repeats throughout until the baby is tucked into his crib at night. In a comforting conclusion, the final illustration shows the narrator enjoying some alone time with his mom: "I am the big brother. But sometimes I like to be the baby too." Ages 3-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-This book presents a day of family activity, with the focus on the relationship between a boy and his baby brother. For each event, there is the downside as well as the gracious solution. "He doesn't like riding in the car. I will sing him a song. He is sad in the stroller. I will hold his hand. -He doesn't like baths. So I blow bubbles for him to watch." Some of the problems are due to baby's own fears; others are a result of his sibling's behavior. When the text reads, "Sand can hurt your eyes," the accompanying illustration shows the boy throwing sand over his shoulder, right onto baby's head. While an oblong boxed vignette shows the unhappy interaction between siblings and the mother's woeful patience, a full-page-and-a-quarter illustration shows the family working as a team. A thin black line outlines each detailed scene and the round, open-faced characters, while smooth expanses of watercolor richly fill the pages. There is a feeling of serenity to the art, even when the little one is distraught. There's none of the inevitable frustration or anger that an older sibling might feel, and the book could be criticized for the ease with which the brother becomes so helpful. Yet, in accentuating the positive, this title does present many feel-good ideas. Certainly there's no harm in basking in its intentional idealism.
Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060295864
• ISBN-13: 978-0060295868
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robin Ballard was born in Los Angeles, California. A graduate of The Cooper Union School of Art, she published her first picture book, "Cat and Alex and the Magic Flying Carpet" in 1991. Since then, she has written and illustrated numerous books for children including, "My Day, Your Day", "Tonight and Tomorrow" and "I Used To Be the Baby". Most recently, though, after an inspiring trip to Egypt she has written her first young-adult novel, "The Archivist".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A positive portrayal of sibling relations, September 12, 2002

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Used to Be the Baby (Library Binding)

In "I Used to Be the Baby," by Robin Ballard, a young boy describes life with his baby brother. The book combines friendly, colorful illustrations with an easy-to-read text. Sample text: "I used to be the baby, but now I am big. I have a baby brother, and I help Mommy take care of him."

The text and illustrations show the narrator doing many activities with his baby brother: playing with him, singing to him during a car ride, reading to him from a baby board book, etc. This is a sweet, charming book that shows a positive picture of an older brother interacting with a baby sibling. I really liked the cartoony pictures.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, May 12, 2004

By 

zedthezonk (Fairport, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Used to Be the Baby (Hardcover)

we are reading this book in preparation for the birth of our second son. i enjoyed how the author takes situations that might cause an older sibling frustration and turns them into chances to "help mommy out". it's a good chance to give suggestions to a child as to how they might mitigate problems they have with their sibling.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars totally charming, May 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: I Used to Be the Baby (Library Binding)

The harried mother in the background is delightful, fun for an adult to notice, while the foreground action is what's going on between the "big boy" and his baby brother - feeding the hungry baby toast & jam (and the look on the mother's face) was priceless. Another in this series of must-haves for the nursery-school book shelf.