Za-Za's Baby Brother (Paperback)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cousins's (Maisy Goes to School) childlike gouache figures and hand-lettered text set against bold fields of color give this oversized book a decidedly cheerful look. Za-Za, a young zebra, candidly narrates the story: "My mom is going to have a baby. She has a big fat tummy. There's not much room for a hug." A familiar scenario unfolds after Mom brings the newborn home from the hospital. Visitors arrive to coo at the baby, and Mom and Dad shower the interloper with attention, too. When Za-Za demands a hug "now!" Mom responds: "Why don't you hug the baby?" So the older sibling does just that-and, after spending some time playing with the little one, concludes, "He was nice. It was fun." Finally, Mom puts the baby to sleep, and Za-Za gets a hug and a story. If not the most clever or insightful book available on this well-worn subject, Cousins's simple story delivers a useful message to preschoolers in Za-Za's situation. Ages 2-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1?Cousins uses her bold cartoon artwork this time to feature an appealing zebra and her growing family. Unfortunately, the simple story reinforces too many of the stereotypes associated with new siblings and offers little comfort to youngsters confronted with a new household member. For instance, when the relatives come to visit, they completely ignore Za-Za, who is shown playing alone in the corner. Mom and Dad are both too preoccupied to deal with their daughter. In fact, when Za-Za announces, "Mom! I want my hug now!," her mother replies, "Why don't you hug the baby?" Obviously, Za-Za needs to quell her feelings of displacement, a fact her mother just does not seem to grasp. The child is finally rewarded with her parents' attention only after she hugs and plays with the baby. The message here is certainly not a reassuring one.?Lisa Marie Gangemi, Farmingdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763603376
• ISBN-13: 978-0763603373
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,873,797 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for a big sister/brother to be!!, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

My daughter was 18 months old when her baby brother was born. She loved looking at the bright illustrations and the simple text was perfect for her age. This is a realistic portrayal of family life when a new baby arrives.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars ZaZa's Baby Brother sends the wrong message, December 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Za-Za's Baby Brother (Hardcover)

A beautifully illustrated book, Za-Za's Baby Brother's message is that when the new baby comes, Za-Za's needs and wants will be neglected and have to come second to the baby. I certainly didn't want my son to have a book read to him about feeling left out because the new baby arrives and that there would be no time to tend to his needs and wants. Newborn babies are certainly demanding and time consuming, but positive parenting includes celebrating the family, inclusion of all family members and balancing the needs and wants of all involved.

This book was a gift to my son, which he wanted read right away. We changed the words and read the book so that it sent the message that there is "give and take" when a new family member arrives. This is a departure from the way the book actually reads, which is about the first child's needs and wants put aside. There is always time to give your child a hug!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I agree with nononick, June 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Za-Za's Baby Brother (Board book)

I would just like to second the feelings expressed by nononick in her review of this book. I found it unnecessarily negative and, even as an adult with some understanding of how these things work, thought Za Za really got the short end of the stick. Not exactly the message I wanted to send my first child.