I read an arc of this book from NetGalley. I have 4 and 7 year old boys and nieces and a nephew aging 6 months, 4, 5 and 6. I have read many many new big sibling style books. I chose not to read this one with my 4 year old because our family is complete and I’d rather he not get any ideas.
The illustrations and color palate were engaging. The length of the book was appropriate for the the intended age bracket. When I was expecting my second I bought literally every big sibling book I could find so I have no doubt this will do well.
However I’m not certain if I feel this way because I’m a boy mom but I felt that the emphasis on who’s pretty and prettiest was excessive and the emphasis on the word sweet did not help because it’s such a vague phrase. Sweet in children can be interpreted as kind or just placid or as another physical descriptor.
As a parent to more than one child of course addressing any potential feelings of displacement are important and were a good choice. In our home we’ve always tried to emphasize the oldest child’s roll in teaching the baby what they know and helping. It helps them feel big and special. Helping was shown, though the time spent on helping vs time spent on crying could have been more evenly balanced. I would also rather have seen an explanation of who the comforters were. If the child is not comforted by a parent it would be nice to know who they are comforted by like a teacher or someone else the child reading the story can relate to as a role model.
3/5 would not buy for a friend. Has a lot of potential just not quite there.
I say these things as a mother, aunt and with a degree in psychology and emphasis in child development.
