Hello Baby! (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A preschool-age boy actively helps to prepare for the homecoming of his new sister in Rockwell's (Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition) reassuring account. The young narrator shares with the reader an upbeat version of what to expect, starting with accompanying Mommy to an obstetrical appointment and ending with the boy's success at distracting the crying newborn with a musical toy. Along the way, stylized but essentially realistic illustrations show calm, smiling characters: white-haired Grannie, phone held to her ear, reports news of the birth to the beaming narrator; parents, boy and newborn snuggle in the hospital bed. Rockwell integrates a factual approach (there is a gestation-period chart) and a down-home quality (the boy compares his belly button with the baby's umbilical scab and later reports that the baby "sounds like a cat when she cries"). Emphasis and proportion accurately reflect a happy child's point of view. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1From a chart on how a baby grows in utero to the end of her first day home, this book covers the entire birthing process as described by an older brother. The opening pages present information about the fetus, while the middle section shows the family getting ready and the boy and his grandmother waiting anxiously for the big moment. Rather than delve into the boys emotional responses to having a new sibling, the book objectively presents intimate images and experiences: the baby inside the womb (shown in mothers tummy and in a full-page close-up), the mother nursing her, the boy and his dad carefully sponging around the umbilical cord scab. There is comfort in the honesty and straightforward familiarity of the text, which is supported by soft colored-pencil drawings. At times the boy looks flat on the page, and his teardrop eyes and round head are more cartoonlike than realistic. However, when Eliza hits the scene the artwork really shines, as Rockwell captures both the skinny helplessness and surprising individuality of a newborn. Readers who have already welcomed a new baby into their home will enjoy remembering the events portrayed here while future siblings will gain insight into whats in store for them.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (April 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051780011X
• ISBN-13: 978-0517800119
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,296,573 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic story and pictures, October 26, 2003

By	Jeffrey Dixon (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hello Baby! (Paperback)

This is my favorite book of this genre and recommend it to anyone with a new baby coming. We own 6 different "new baby" books and this is the best because it touches on all aspects of the baby-to-come (it ends when the new baby is only days old). There are illustrations of the mom/older brother at the OB's office, of an embryo and fetus development, of the family going through old baby clothes to prepare for the arrival of #2, of waiting at home w/Grandma while mom & dad go to the hospital, of visiting at the hospital, Dad bathing the baby at home, mom breastfeeding, and of a crying baby, among other illustrations. My daughter wanted to read this book several times daily for months before my son was born. She still loves hearing the book read to her and will read it to her stuffed animals, too, 8 months after my son was born. (My kids are 26 months apart.)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How does your baby grow?, January 14, 2000

By	Victoria Horrocks "[e-mail]" (W. Trenton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

My five-year-old niece took this book out of the library twice. Now, I'm buying it for her to have at home. The book details how a baby grows inside a mommy in simple, uncomplicated words and pictures. The development of a baby is explained in terms a very young child can understand and accept without being frightened or confused. The story also talks about the joy of having a new baby in the house. It is accurately and clearly illustrated with sweet drawings. I highly recommend it for preschool, kindergarten, and even primary school age children.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for sibling!, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

I first checked this book out at the local library and my son(3years) liked it so much he did not want to return it. We reneweduntil I found a copy to buy. It really helped him understand what was going on inside my tummy without too much explaination.