FICTION

New Baby!

by Stephanie BLAKE
New Baby! illus. by Stephanie Blake. 40p. NorthSouth. Apr. 2016. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9780735842557.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—When Simon, a superhero-masked toddler bunny, creates a commotion at home, he is quickly shushed by his mother. Simon has a newborn brother, whom he wishes would go away. His parents assure him that the baby is staying. That night, after his parents put him to bed, Simon cannot sleep. During his insomnia, the bunny imagines that he is surrounded by hungry wolves. He runs to his parents' room, where his father tells him to go back to bed. On his way, he hears his brother making noises. Simon picks him up and brings him into his bed for the night in order to protect the baby, a move that will likely cause parents to cringe. The expressive cartoon family stands out against simple, boldly colored backgrounds.
VERDICT Big brothers and sisters may be better served by Joanna Cole's I'm a Big Brother, Rachel Fuller's My New Baby, or others from the new sibling shelf.
Reviewed by Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ
Bunny Simon is having trouble adjusting to the idea of a new baby ("If it stays, I'll poop all over the place!"). But Simon's nighttime fear of (imagined) wolves opens his eyes to his sibling's value as a sleeping companion. As with Blake's other books, there's not an extraneous word or visual detail--just streamlined storytelling with witty, blunt illustrations.
 , May 01, 2016

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

La Mala Suerte Is Following Me
by Siqueira, Ana
BOOKS

Gabby’s Dollhouse: Tricks and Treats
BOOKS

Finding Bear
by Gold, Hannah
BOOKS

Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books
by Timms, Barry
BOOKS

Monolith
by Rinker, Jess
BOOKS

¡Mi amigo Robot!
by Scribens, Sunny
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?