I Used to Be the Baby

by Robin Ballard

Book Overview

I used to be the baby, but now I am big. So begins this story of a not-very-big sibling who suddenly finds himself with a baby brother. He willing shares his toys with the baby, he plays with him, and he knows when to be quiet. He sings a cheerful song when it is needed, and he teaches his brother many useful lessons. But sometimes even the biggest of us likes to be the baby -- and in this loving family, that is no problem at all

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060295864
• ISBN13: 9780060295868
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Great book

I purchased this book, along with several others, to prepare my 4 year old for the arrival of his little brother. It really helped emphasize that he was going to be the BIG brother and the BIG boy and the baby's special needs. He is now 5-1/2 and his baby brother is 6 months and he still gets this book out to read at bedtime.

Exceeded expectations

We have a 2 yr old boy, and our 2nd boy is due in November so the set up of this book corresponds with our situation. Our son loves it and it has helped him learn the concept of becoming a big brother. He even kisses the baby in the book.

wonderful

we are reading this book in preparation for the birth of our second son. i enjoyed how the author takes situations that might cause an older sibling frustration and turns them into chances to "help mommy out". it's a good chance to give suggestions to a child as to how they might mitigate problems they have with their sibling.

A positive portrayal of sibling relations

In "I Used to Be the Baby," by Robin Ballard, a young boy describes life with his baby brother. The book combines friendly, colorful illustrations with an easy-to-read text. Sample text: "I used to be the baby, but now I am big. I have a baby brother, and I help Mommy take care of him."The text and illustrations show the narrator doing many activities with his baby brother: playing with him, singing to him during a car ride, reading to him from a baby board book, etc. This is a sweet, charming book that shows a positive picture of an older brother interacting with a baby sibling. I really liked the cartoony pictures.

totally charming

The harried mother in the background is delightful, fun for an adult to notice, while the foreground action is what's going on between the "big boy" and his baby brother - feeding the hungry baby toast & jam (and the look on the mother's face) was priceless. Another in this series of must-haves for the nursery-school book shelf.