I'm Not a Baby!

Kids will resonate most with the frustration and annoyance that result from always being called "the baby" of the family. Author Jill McElmurry's clever premise takes this labelling to the extreme: Despite all the contrary evidence, and enough time for baby "Leo Leotardi" to experience puberty, marriage, and fatherhood, his family resolutely refuses to see his maturation, calling him a baby, and treating him like one. It's only when the the family sees the NEW baby that they can drop their illusions and deliver two punch lines: "The baby's had a baby!" said Nanny Fanni." After Leo finally shouts a final "I'm NOT A BABY!" they see him for what he really is. Then, like all good neurotic families, they deny how they've treated him: "What?", said Lulu. "Leo's not a baby?" "Of course not!" said Papa. "What a silly notion," said Mama. and Nani Fanni closes with "Who ever said he was a baby?" I was not quite as enamored of the illustrations or anachronisms as the two editorial reviewers. ALthough the color scheme is indeed unusual, it's also a bit unappetizing, with somewhat sickly looking shades of brown and green. Yes, it's funny to see the maid wearing modern sneakers in Edwardian times, and even funnier to see the comic take on period hats piled high with plants and animals). However, it's also confusing that the baby--even when really a baby--only looks a year or two years younger than his siblings. If anything, this baby never looked like a baby. Still, children (especially those who feel some amount of age discrimination and/or envy of their older sibling) will enjoy how silly the grown-up and siblings look when they can't--or won't adjust their views. The repetitive story pattern becomes increasingly absurd and comic as Leo becomes a full-grown man complete with moustache, family, and house. My own favorite line--which some kids will get--is McElmurry's double-ayered joke as Leo asks Daisy to marry him. "Of course I will, baby," Daisy whispered.

My son just LOVES this book. The illustrations are great. It is set in Victorian times(with some funny "modern" additions, like a Starbucks coffee cup and basketball sneakers on the nanny). The repeating line "I'm Not a Baby" is wonderful for preschoolers and my son loves ending every page with this line. There are several big vocabulary words that make it fun and a nice learning tool to introduce some larger words to your child. (I had to look up "persnickety" and "impetuous")