What a Good Big Brother! (Picture Book) [Hardcover]

Diane Wright Landolf (Author), Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Book

“Why is Sadie crying?” Cameron asks, and asks, and asks. While Cameron loves his new baby sister, he does not love her crying. Mom and Dad can quiet Sadie by changing her diaper, feeding her, and singing lullabies, but when all else fails, Cameron takes over. A Good Big Brother can rub tummies and kiss toes to turn a whimper into a smile!

With humor and warmth, New York Times bestselling illustrators Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson delightfully illustrate this fresh, positive, and true-to-life spin on getting a new sibling.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Every time Cameron's infant sister cries, his parents seem to have an answer: she's wet, she's hungry, she's tired. And once Cameron knows the problem, he's eager to help out. But Cameron really earns his stripes—and Sadie's first smile—when he's able to soothe a mysterious crying jag after his parents have run out of ideas. Landolf's (Hog and Dog) simple, descriptive writing should go a long way in alleviating—at least momentarily—the anxieties of newly minted sibling rivalry. Johnson and Fancher (Amazing Peace) offer a stunning visual counterpoint with their most luxuriant work to date. It's not entirely successful; the highly wrought backgrounds, created from intricately layered patterns, words and tiny drawings, add little emotional depth. But the team's framing and characterizations are faultless, and their use of life-size-and-larger scale is riveting. If readers aren't distracted by what amounts to weird wallpaper, they'll feel immersed in the intimacy, stress and rewards of tending a newborn. Ages 3–6. (Jan.)
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From School Library Journal

PreS—Clearly intended for siblings who are adjusting to having a new baby in the house, this didactic story follows a simple pattern: big brother Cameron asks why baby Sophie is crying, Mom or Dad asks the boy's help in changing/feeding/calming her, and Cameron gets praised for being good to his sister. In the end, when his parents are baffled by Sadie's tears, only Cameron can quiet her, and he's rewarded with her first-ever smile. Johnson and Fancher's mixed-media collages shimmer with vivid colors and warm emotions. Close-up paintings of the family expressively convey loving relationships. Backdrops comprised of bright quiltlike swatches superimposed with tiny hands and feet, splotches of color, and random words and letters set off the action. This quiet story of a boy who loves his baby sister will work best shared one-on-one with a child in similar circumstances.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375842586
• ISBN-13: 978-0375842580
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 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: #94,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have a "good big brother" in your household, this might be just the book you are looking for!, June 19, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What a Good Big Brother! (Picture Book) (Hardcover)

Cameron was a special kind of big brother. He had a "new baby sister, Sadie." He enjoyed being affectionate with her and even would kiss, kiss her tiny little toes. If Sadie cried, he would ask his mother or father why she was crying. One time his dad said that she needed a diaper change and asked him if he would like to help. "Yes," he answered without hesitation. Sadie wailed up a storm and when his dad took off the diaper he said "Yowza!" He really needed Cameron's help with those wipes! Wipe, wipe, wipe, wipe . . . Cameron handed them right along.

After Sadie felt clean and comfortable her dad sang at her and Cameron patted her head. "What a good big brother," said his dad. And he was just that because he loved his little sister. Later on Sadie was crying again and he asked his mother why she was crying. This time she was tired and needed a nap. "Waaaaaah!" He rubbed her "tummy until she closed her eyes." Later, when she woke up, she was crying again and he asked his mother why she was crying. This time she was hungry and his mother wanted Cameron to find her nursing pillow. Cameron always helped with his baby sister. Don't you think he was an extra special good big brother?

This is one of those stories that after you read the first page and take a look at the illustrations you simply say to yourself, "ahhhh, isn't that cute." This story is loving and adorable. The illustrations are heartwarming and will bring memories back grandparents and smiles to the faces of parents with little ones underfoot. If you have a "good big brother" in your household, this might be just the book you are looking for!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book for a young toddler w/a baby sister on the way!, March 19, 2010

By 

J. Beckey (CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What a Good Big Brother! (Picture Book) (Hardcover)

My 18-mth LOVES this book! It's to the point and the large pictures are great. He reaches for this book everyday before nap and before bedtime. A definite must for a toddler expecting a sibling on the way and I love that it supports breastfeeding. Hard to find.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great transition book, October 19, 2010

By 

regularamazonshopper - See all my reviews

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This review is from: What a Good Big Brother! (Picture Book) (Hardcover)

I saw this book mentioned in Mothering magazine because it is so rare to find a book with breastfeeding in it. It's not the point - just a background thing where you would normally see a bottle. Awesome. I gave this book to a friend who is expecting to help her son transition into being a big brother. She says he loves it and they read it every night, and usually several times a day, too.