Friday, October 11, 2013

Bye-Bye Baby Brother! - Perfect Picture Book Friday

     Today is the International Day of the Girl.
     I'm not sure how I feel about that. While I know that it is intended to bring attention to the needs of girls worldwide, for me, the act of naming a single day almost trivializes the issue, putting it in the same category as Talk Like a Pirate Day.
     My book selection last week was a perfect selection for the issue of girls' education. If you missed it, click here for the link.
     Last week's selection spoke to a time in history. Other great picture books sweep readers away by their silly or fantastic elements. The book I highlight today speaks to the everyday. It is a charming, non-didactic book addressing the issue of sibling jealousy.


Title: Bye-Bye Baby Brother

Author/Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey

Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2013
In the UK - Walker Books

Theme: Siblings - FICTION

Audience: Preschool - 2 (I think up to 5)


Opening: "What will we do now, Rory?" asked Ruby. "I can't think of any more games to play."

Rory couldn't either.
He was feeling a bit sleepy.

"Maybe Mom will know one. Let's go find her!"


Synopsis: After her little brother arrives, big sister Ruby craves attention from her mother. She amuses herself, playing with her dog Rory (the illustration of Ruby dressing Rory in "a lovely blue sweater" is one of my favorites!)  but when Mom says "In a minute" one time too many, Ruby begins to fantasize about life without baby Oliver. Can she make her brother disappear in a mound of cabbages?

Why I Like this Book: Moments of sibling rivalry don't always manifest themselves in temper tantrums. Sometimes it arises in the quiet moments, like those shown in this book. I particularly like the continued calm of the resolution and the open-endedness of the book's close. While the main character is dealing with a sibling, I think any child will identify with the emotions felt in the moments when Mom (or Dad) is busy. On Ms. Dempsey's blog you can see her new and upcoming projects. After viewing her charming illustrations in this book, I see why she is in demand!


Activities/Resources: I couldn't find a guide or activity book directly linked to this book. I believe this book is intended for some of the youngest siblings who perhaps don't have full-blown cases of sibling rivalry but are just feeling left out or ignored. With that in mind, perhaps families can brainstorm activities that EVERYONE can be a part of. Visiting a farm, dancing (Mom wearing baby in a snug sac),and  setting aside special time while baby naps for "big kid" activities are just a few ideas. The University of Michigan Health Care System has a post about sibling rivalry that includes suggested books and activities if true rivalry develops.



This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. Along with tons of writing wisdom, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.



24 comments:

  1. Gotta go look for this one! Thanks! One thing we did to make the transition more appealing for our daughter, was to have the baby bring a gift for his sister - a tricycle.

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    1. Our eldest got a plastic hammer. In hindsight, perfect for clubbing younger brother. Ah well, good intentions and all that.

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  2. Great story about sibling rivaly. I know many a child who has had this thought -- I did, as I was the eldest of four. As Julie says, it's important to make the transition.

    Noted your comment about International Day of the Girl. Our niece was published today in the Huffington Post -- and I enjoyed her thoughts. Heard your words in her comments. She runs the Girls Education Collaborative in Tanzania. If you're interested, here's the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-robinson-wadsworth/the-gimmick-of-1011-the-p_b_4084941.html

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    1. I loved your niece's post! Thank you for sharing it.

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  3. I sometimes run into these sibling rivalry feelings with kids I visit who have siblings that are always in the hospital or have some kind of special needs that take up all the parents time and energy. I admire these kids sooo much! thanks for sharing this book. I think I'll be looking for it.

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    1. Little ones take a lot of time at the beginning. That's just the way it is.

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  4. I really sympathize with your thoughts about International Day of the Girl, I have mixed feelings myself.

    I don't think we can have too many good books on this perennial topic.

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    1. I've read a lot of books on this topic but this one captured the emotions the best IMHO with no preachy feel.

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  5. I could swear I'd just left a comment... if my comment shows up twice, that's life.

    This sounds like a great book. Even kids who don't have siblings (like me) can relate to dealing with times when Mom or Dad doesn't have time for them, or they feel left out for some reason. Your activities address this feeling very well.

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    1. All kids like to know time does not always equal love.

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  6. Looks like a cute one, Wendy. Maybe I should read this to my two teenagers. Even now, they have trouble with sibling rivalry!

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    1. The way the author mixed funny vignettes with a strong theme really drew me in. I bet teenagers could enjoy it!

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  7. I already found this one at my library. I can just imagine my kids wanting to blast each other off. Ha, ha.

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    1. Your librarian has good taste in books! This one is easy to love and choose.

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  8. We are in a bit of a rocketship phase, so we will get this one. Sounds like a great story (and am wondering if there is a lesson for me on what could happen is I say "in a minute."

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    1. The cover suggests wilder action than actually occurs, Stacy! It's a child-friendly read.

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  9. Thanks for this review. I think I love the way this book deals with sibling issues. Refreshing. I look forward to it.

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    1. Thanks Joanne. It is a lot more realistic than other books I've read while still capturing a child's imagination.

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  10. Sounds like a fun book! I have heard of this one before, will need to go find it at the library. Thanks.

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  11. Love this, Wendy! Sounds like a fun book that addresses a problem that crops up all too often. I'm actually working on a picture book story with a similar theme...got bogged down in the rhyme -perhaps I need to try to write it in prose as some experts suggest. :)

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    1. I wish I could write good rhyme. I'm great at bad rhyme though!

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  12. Oh my brothers and I could relate to this book, pity it wasn't around when we were younger. Great choice, Wendy!

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  13. This book looks like a wonderful addition to the "coping with a new sibling" collection Wendy. So true that the hard moments are often quieter when kids feel left out. Thanks for sharing this!

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