Will There Be a Lap for Me? [Paperback]

Dorothy Corey (Author), Nancy Poydar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Kyle misses his time on Mother's lap while she is pregnant but is happy when the birth of his baby brother makes her lap available again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Kyle had a special place. It was not too hard and not too soft. It was just right for resting and talking and listening to stories and watching the birds. But Mother's stomach grew larger and larger and larger until it was very large indeed." When Kyle's mother becomes pregnant, he can no longer sit on her lap. Though he is excited about the new baby, the boy misses his special place. After his brother is born, Kyle realizes Mother has enough love and lap for both the baby and himself. The story ends as it begins, with Kyle sitting on his mother's lap, thereby reassuring children that even though many things in their lives will change, the most sacred will remain the same. In simple, soothing language Corey conveys the thoughts and feelings of a child anticipating the birth of a sibling. Poydar's cozy colored pencil and watercolor illustrations vividly portray Kyle's feelings and interaction with others. The rhythmic text and spirited illustrations thoughtfully blend to reach the very youngest children. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Kyle's special resting place becomes increasingly smaller as his mother's stomach grows with his as yet unborn sibling. Soft watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations also delineate the preschooler's growth over the course of the pregnancy. After baby Matt's birth, his mother is busier than ever, but while his brother is napping, - Kyle gets her full attention once again. The porch swing is the perfect place to hug, talk, and watch the birds on a warm afternoon. The illustrations reflect the changing seasons and capture the warm feelings of this loving black family. The depiction of a skinny teenaged-boy babysitter with Kyle balanced on his knee is the most humorous interpretation of the text. Throughout, the gentle story offers reassurance that there is, indeed, love enough for all. --Gratia Banta, Germantown Public Library, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company; 1 edition (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807591106
• ISBN-13: 978-0807591109
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for soon-to-be older sibling, May 17, 2000

By 

Shannon "jfaction" (Lafayette, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will There Be a Lap for Me? (Paperback)

This is a nice book to add to your reading time for a soon-to-be older sibling. I found it suitable for my 2 yr old, yet it is not too young for a 4-5 yr old.

The story shares the fears and concerns of a little boy whose mother is pregnant. The author skillfully manifests the boy's concerns into a surface worry that he doesn't have room on his mom's lap as her pregnancy progresses. Obviously, this is a manifestation of his fear that she won't have time and/or attention for him, but it's not played up. I really liked this approach, as most pre-schoolers have an indirect way of expressing or understanding their fears. It helps me as a parent remember that my child's concerns might show up in subtle ways.

Very well illustrated. I also liked that the characters weren't white. It's hard to find children's books that aren't about mainstream white families. (We're caucasian but try to stock a diverse book stash so our kids learn about other cultures.)

Highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Story, September 23, 2005

By 

camqmom "J" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Will There Be a Lap for Me? (Hardcover)

I liked this book and thought the story was very sweet. I also thought it did a good job showing the older child how things will be changing while mommy is pregnant and after the baby is born. Although my son seemed to enjoy the story, he does not request to read the book very often.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book to help prepare your first child, August 9, 2001

By 

Kyla Boyse (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will There Be a Lap for Me? (Paperback)

A realistic look at how your older child's world will change when the new baby arrives. This book will also remind you of the importance of making a priority of spending time one-on-one with your older child--even just 10-15 minutes snuggling and watching the birds!