Big Panda, Little Panda

What a beautifully illustrated book and story about being the baby in the family suddenly to becoming the bigger sibling when a new baby arrives in the family. Baby panda and mama panda live together in their home and are very happy. He's always been called little panda and then one evening after reading their bedtime book mama held him extra close and whispered " Who's the best-looking BIG panda"? Big panda, little panda looked around the room and then his mother told him that a new little panda would be joining the family soon and that she would need a great big panda to take care of her and little baby. As tiny as they are, babies make big changes to a family for all. Not only is mom and dads tired, but older siblings are tired too of not being the center of attention. Little panda feels this way too... but eventually comes around to enjoy being a big brother to his little sister and helping out his mom. When babies or toddlers enter into a home where your child was the center of both parents or a parent's attention it's a difficult adjustment for all, especially the now older sibling. This would a terrific book for a child who's parent is expecting and even adopting. It is an excellent book to help prepare your child and also to let your child know this happens to lots of children too. Not only is this a good book, it is really beautiful. I looks like it was done using water color paint. The pictures are soft and the illustrator reminds me a little of the illustrator John Butler. I do like how Meg Rutherford made the bamboo forest when you first open up the book, it looks like a misty morning. Other details are a house with a Chinese pagoda tile roof, building blocks with pagoda piece and a big round door. My daughter loved when big panda moved his baby sister into his bed and took his baby sister's bed. She laughed and laughed at big panda not fitting into the little bed and blanket.

I read this book to my 3 year old son as we are hoping that he will soon have a sibling!He now asks for it every night and is anticipating with excitement the thought of becoming a "big panda".The book is very easy for younger childern to understand and is beautifully accompanied by some sensitive illustrations.