I'm Going to Be a Big Brother!

I loved this book, it helped my son visualize some of the things that will happen when the new baby arrives. It also helped me see the things that he might be thinking and his worries.

I love the book I'm Going to be a Big Brother. I was given this as a gift and that first night home I read it to my son he was able to understand what the book was saying and showing him by looking at the pictures. My son is 2-1/2 years old and when he saw the picture of the side of the belly looking in at the baby he pointed to my belly and said that is my brother. After we were done reading I put the CD in that went along with the book and it has been a big hit in our house ever since, my son knows all the words and sings along he loves it. Thank you for writing such a helpful teaching guide for my child.

I wish I'd had "I'm Going to be a Big Brother" before our second child was born. A well-written book, complete with colorful drawings, it covers everything from when to begin discussing the new baby to a catchy musical CD that will have your little one singing and dancing around. Brenda discusses the changes that will take place as the family gets ready for the new addition: toys and baby clothes will be unpacked, Mommy's belly will grow, and a simplistic explanation and drawing of how the baby will come out is even included. The issue of who will care for your son while Mom's in the hospital is addressed. And the announcement "You're a big brother" is the perfect way to start a loving sibling relationship where the emphasis is on how the older child has the important role of being a teacher to the new baby. Preparing, including, and empowering your older child will go a long way toward creating this positive goal. If you want to help your son get ready for the changes to come in a thoughtful way and set the stage for a healthy relationship between your children, this book is a must read!

As a hospital Childbirth and Newborn Health Educator I come across many pregnant couples, and issues about siblings often come up in the course of classes I teach. I'm so pleased to finally have such a wonderful book to recommend to them. In these books, the language in conversations between parent and child is wonderful for parents to model, so that they can take cues for healthy interaction around pregnancy and delivery. Explanations of the birth process seem to be just the right amount of information, and the language, although clinically accurate, is in my opinion not in the least offensive to even the most delicate sensibilities. Suggestions such as gentle touch, safe toys, sharing and teaching the newborn sibling are very thoughtfully phrased. Discussion about the real-life issue of parents leaving for the hospital and being absent for a period of time, including what who will care for them, helps prepare youngsters for what might otherwise be a confusing and frightening time. The images are engaging and colorful, and give the child an opportunity to use the pictures as metaphors for their own imagination in "thought balloons" (such as the couple in the hospital holding the baby and telling the child on the phone about the birth of the baby). The announcement "You're a big sister/brother" is a perfect way to let the child know the baby has been born, and to help the child celebrate with the parents, at the same time making him or her feel included and important. What a lovely way to help set up families for future healthy sibling relationships. I'm so pleased that this book is finally available! Georgia Montgomery CD, CCE, LE, BLS

I gave this book to a family whose three year old would soon be a big brother and immediately was invited to read it aloud. I substituted the soon-to-be big brother's name for that of the character in the book and told the story simply as the delightful illustrations revealed it. The boy looked and listened intently while the mom pointed out that this looked like her tummy and that her was the grandmother who would come to stay while she was in the hospital. Later, the mom told me that her husband had read the book to the little boy too and that he enjoyed the story again. She also said that the accompanying music c.d. was great. So, judging by this reaction, I would strongly recommend this book and suggest that the text is readily adaptable to suit each individual family's situation.