Big Sister Now: A Story about Me and Our New Baby

Our daughter was 3 yrs & 1 week old when our son was born and we bought this book because it was about a big sister with a little brother. Our daughter loves this book and so do we. We do not think that it is negative - rather realistic in that there will be frustrations and adjustments that the older child will have to make when the baby arrives. She recites the parts about being patient and having special time with Mommy and Daddy. She has been reading the book for over 6 months now and continues to enjoy it. We really loves the illustrations - the "big sister" wears a dress-up skirt over her PJs and our daughter does this all of the time. We strongly recommend this book as our family has greatly enjoyed it.

I thought this book was great. I understand what previous reviewers are saying about the sister seeming to be ignored, but I think what we have to keep in mind is that she is probably not waiting as long as we think she is - the book is written from her perspective, not the parents'. If mom has to nurse for 1 more minute, it might seem like 30 to a two year old. And personally, I am not able to pour cereal while nursing so if my daughter wants some, she has to wait. I felt like this really gave my daughter (age 3) some good preparation for what to expect when her baby brother arrived. I also think that it helped her understand that it was OK to express some resentment toward him at first. The illustrations were fantastic - I enjoyed seeing the disorganized house and harried parents.

My husband and I found out we would be having our second grandchild. We went in search of a great book to help our grandson,age three, deal with a new baby sister. We searched a lot of stores and found the best story in the book "Big Sister Now". Even though it was about a big sister, it was easy to have our grandson understand that big sisters and big brothers seem to have the same things happen to them. He now says that his friend Kate has a baby brother Daniel and he Nicholas. is having a baby sister How wonderful this made us feel. The illstrations made us able to discuss the problems Kate was having and that sometimes we have to be patient. It also showed that big brothers and sisters get to do more grown-up things and babies to have to sleep alot. In looking at the pictures and reading the story I felt the autor and illistrator worked hand in hand with a lot of love to produce a fun and helpful book for children of all ages. They must have experienced alot of the story for it to have so many of the feelings that you hear moms talk about after a new baby arrives and a little girl becomes "A Big Sister Now." Charlene Chernock Ashtabula,Oh.

"Big Sister Now" is on my list of "gotta haves" and "gotta give" to all friends and friends'kids who are bringing second and third and forth babies home to older sibblings. The story is so engaging, the senarios realistic. The character gives a voice and permission to older sibblings who may not know how to positively express what they're feeling. This book is sure to delight, educate and open doors of communication between parents and the older sibbling. For those concerned about the negative face of the character let me remind you what the noted (late) child psychologist, Dr. Hiam Ginott (Between Parent and Child)said about bringing a second baby home. He believed that is was like your husband bringing home another woman and telling you that you'll love it because she'll help with the cooking, housework and babysitting. He believe that ALL children harbor feelings of displacement whether they appear to express them or not. The child willing to happily fetch diapers and bottles and even those expressing "I love the baby" may ONLY be doing it to please Mommy and Daddy, not because they feel that way. The beauty in "Big Sister Now," is that through the adorable main character, children are NOT given negative ideas but rather given a VOICE and PERMISSION to express what they may really be feeling. As tough as it is for us as parents to accept, children do feel displaced, and if they are harboring feelings of resentment, it's healthier to give them a positive avenue for expression. "Big Sister Now" doesn't tell children how they should be feeling, it allows children to express what may already be inside their head. The illustrations are amazingly fresh. The back story in all the illustrations is wonderfully clever. Anyone who is a mother can relate to the dishelveled house. So much more is happening within the illustrations than in the story itself. "Big Sister Now" is on my "MUST HAVE" list!

Big People will find Big Sister Now as delightful a read as Big Sisters and Brothers. Author Annette Sheldon dared go where few have gone before-she successfully entered the mind of a 2 ½ year old and stayed there throughout the entire book. Every one of Big Sister Kate's insecurities, fears, and exclamations regarding the new baby rings "toddler-true." And illustrator Karen Maizel nailed the toddler's persona, character, and expressions as they relate to the abruptly changed family dynamics. But there's so much more-each illustration is a gem with many facets. Every time the book is opened, the reader will be surprised by a new aspect of an illustration that was missed the first or second read-through. Because both the author and illustrator sweated the "small stuff," Big Sister Now is a pure joy to read, again and again. Their careful attention to the tiniest detail, both in words and images, surely define Big Sister Now as unique amongst books in its category.