
Reach for this book when your older child is navigating the complex transition of a new baby entering the home. It is a perfect choice for children who feel sidelined by an infant's needs, shifting the focus from the baby's demands to the older sibling's unique capabilities and role. The story follows a six-year-old girl through a series of small, relatable moments as she helps care for her baby brother. Rather than focusing on big milestones, it celebrates the mundane joys of daily life: making faces, sharing toys, and helping with bath time. This gentle approach validates the older child's status as a 'big kid' while fostering a sense of pride and empathetic connection with the new family member. It is an ideal tool for parents looking to model positive sibling dynamics in a realistic, heartwarming way.
There are no traditional sensitive topics like death or trauma. The book deals with the mild 'trauma' of displaced attention in a secular, realistic, and highly hopeful manner.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA preschooler or early elementary student (ages 3 to 6) who has recently become a big sibling and is looking for their 'place' in the new family hierarchy.
The book can be read cold. It is very straightforward, though parents may want to encourage the child to count along or point out which 'number' they want to try doing with their own sibling. A parent might reach for this after hearing 'I can't do anything because of the baby' or seeing their older child retreat into quiet isolation while the infant is being tended to.
A 3-year-old will enjoy the visual cues of the activities and simple repetition. A 6-year-old will appreciate the 'expert' status of the narrator and the humor in some of the baby's reactions.
Unlike many 'new baby' books that focus on the mother's pregnancy or the baby's arrival, Ormerod focuses entirely on the ongoing relationship and the agency of the older sibling, using her signature warm, detailed illustrations to ground the story in real-world domesticity.
The book is structured as a list of 101 activities a six-year-old girl shares with her infant brother. It tracks a typical day from morning wake-ups and feedings to playtime and bedtime, showcasing the girl's active participation in the baby's life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.