A New Barker in the House

We are preparing to add to our family through adoption and this book was recommended to us. Morgie & Morgan have some expectations of what it will be like to adopt a new child into their family... when little Marcos comes along...he's 3 years old, not a baby like they thought he would be. And, he doesn't speak English. But the siblings find ways to get to know Marcos and meet him on his terms. I highly recommend this book. First of all, the Barker Family are dogs and Marcos isn't a completely different type of animal...he's still a dog (and adorable at that). He has different color fur and speaks Spanish, but is still a dog. I like that. I also like how the author Tomie de Paola helps explain Moffie & Morgie's feelings--they are very excited about Marcos and actually overwhelm him a little....they then become a bit bewildered and worried by his response to them, etc. They try really hard to relate to Marcos...wanting him to play with them...piling his bed high with animals, etc. When he doesn't respond the way they'd hoped, I like that they are worried but don't melt down---and their parents step in to help them resolve and relate to their new brother. This is really a brilliant book in my opinion... Moffie and Morgie are portrayed in a positive way and their feelings are explained. The book explores some of the expectations and rough transitions typical of bringing children into a family through adoption. It also shows how Marcos has things to offer the family...he teaches them new words Spanish and they teach him English. And, there is the comforting resolution at the end that focuses on assurance that they are all a family together. I think this is a great book in general, but especially to prepare siblings for an adoption. We have children who are 5 and 7 years old. Both of them like the book...but my 5-year-old LOVES it and requests it often. Of the two kids, she is the one who has expressed the most concern about relating to new younger siblings and this book has helped open discussion about her feelings....and how, no matter what, we will work out any problems together. My 7-year-old said (seriously), "That book inspired me that I can teach my new brothers English and they can teach me Spanish." I love that she used the word, "inspired!"

The Barker twins are back, with a new sibling to teach! Morgie and Moffie are excited that the long wait has come to an end, and their new brother, three year old Marcos, has arrived. Marcos speaks Spanish, and is not initially enamored by the twins' efforts to integrate him into the family. Throughout the book, Marcos introduces his new siblings to various new Spanish words, and pronunciations are included on the acknowledgments page. The underlying message that everyone can learn from each other is delivered in a light way, with just the right amount of humor. De Paola's signature acrylic illustrations and repetitive patterns assist the new reader in determining the text, although a brighter, more distinct color pallet could have enhanced the effect. While Jean Little's Emmy's Yucky Brother covers similar ground of a family's adjustment to each other when adopting an older child, the added benefit of encouraging a bilingual household and the message that Marcos can also educate the family make A New Barker deserving of a new home on a child's bookshelf.

In this book, Morgie and Moffie's parents adopt a three-year-old Spanish-speaking boy, Marcos. Morgie and Moffie (twins) get excited and over-do it a little the first day. They forget that their new brother doesn't understand them when they speak to him in English. On the second day, Morgie and Moffie realize that they should teach their brother things as well as learn from him. Marcos fits in better now, and they are a family. My favorite character in this book was Marcos. I would recommend this book especially for parents to read to their children if they are adopting a child, whether or not the child is from a foreign country. I would also recommend it to anyone else looking for a good book about family.