We Have a Baby [Hardcover]

Cathryn Falwell (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

The whole family can participate in loving and caring for the new baby.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Falwell ( Feast for 10 ) decks out this understated picture book in nursery-room colors--an appropriate choice, as her story prepares small children for the imminent birth of a sibling. A multiracial family welcomes a new child, the parents explaining to their firstborn what having a baby means to the family: "We have a baby! A baby to love . . . " The parents include the older child--for example, the illustration for "A baby to feed" shows the infant at the mother's breast, the child curled at her side, sipping from a straw. The cut-paper artwork has the texture of crayon drawings, adding movement to the clean, clear compositions. Both pictures and text extend to the reader the warm, cozy exchanges of these parents and their young. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Each new facet of taking care of a baby is brought out in this charming picture book. Not only are new infants exciting, they're also a big responsibility as Falwell gently reinforces. With an economy of text and simple illustrations, she describes bringing a baby home, involving a sibling in its care, and a happy family going through its routine. Soft pastel hues of pinks and salmons, purples and blues highlight the action. The themes and ideas introduced here will be best brought out in one-on-one sharing. Although children may not notice or care, Falwell's illustrations are ethnically ambiguous, and it is impossible to determine the gender of the older child. A sound addition to the large body of books about babies.
Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (August 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395620384
• ISBN-13: 978-0395620380
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This crunchy mama says: What a great book!, November 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: We Have a Baby (Paperback)

New-sibling books make me cringe most of the time -- they love to center on sibling jealousy, all the "negatives" of having a new baby. And then there's what I call the "bottle and crib factor" -- parents like me who breastfeed and sleep in a family bed search constantly for a collection of "books about babies" that look a little more like our family.

This book is perfect. The toddler could be either a girl or a boy. The family's race is not specific and this could well be a mixed-race family -- what I'm getting at here, is that this could be anyone's family. The baby is breastfed with the toddler cuddled in the mama's arms, having a cookie. It's all about the joy of loving and being loved by a new baby, and the toddler is included on every page, helping and being loved, beckoned, welcomed. Utterly beautiful and simple. The last page, after the text ends, shows toddler and baby cuddled together under a blanket, asleep.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to help younger children, April 16, 2000

By 

"a_mom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Have a Baby (Hardcover)

I purchased several books for our almost-two-year-old to help him understand the new baby. This is by far his favorite. The simple explanations of the baby and the family's interaction (We have a Baby. A baby to love. A baby to hold....) with the new baby are wonderful. The pictures are lovely and perfect for a small child. It was such a great book, I bought one for a friend who also has an almost-two-year-old and a new baby.

Spend the money and purchase the hardcover/library edition. It's worth it.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 2-year-old's favorite "new baby" book, October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: We Have a Baby (Hardcover)

My son welcomed his new little sister 4 months ago. He is 2-1/2 now, and still asks for this book to be read while the other "new baby" books sit on the shelf. The illustrations and simple words are lovely and gentle. He is not distracted by the "darker" skin of the family although we are white.