Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Monday, June 8, 2015

One Special Day for Big Brothers, Prince George Included!


Since my grandson just gained a new little baby brother, I was so excited when my daughter showed me a book written about sibling boys!  It's One Special Day, by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Jessica Meserve (published in 2012, best for ages 2-5).

I absolutely love this endearing book! Because it's told from the perspective of a boy, it's perfect for boys who have just experienced the birth of a new sibling and are making that important transition into big-brotherhood.


It's a story about Spencer... 


One Special Day really captures the essence of what most boys are.  Spencer's actions are all compared to different animals - and as you read aloud this story with your boy (or girl), he (she) will love to "fill in the blank"...




Yes, Spencer was loud, strong, fast, funny, messy, and wild...


Until one special day, when suddenly all Spencer's energy is intensely concentrated into gentleness (at least for a few minutes) as he holds the new baby (who also happens to be a boy).



...Spencer was a brother!

We've taken tons of photos of my grandson with his new brother, and the pictures look just like the illustration in the book, which captures the look of love and protection Spencer, as a new big brother, suddenly feels for his little new-born sibling.

I also couldn't help but think of some photos of another (more famous - and royal) sibling couple that just hit the press - how cute is Prince George (those blue knee socks!!!!) with his baby sister Princess Charlotte???

HRH THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE/@KENSINGTONROYAL
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Back to One Special Day -- Make sure you don't miss the front and end inside cover pages, which show a bit more of the story...

At the front of the book you see Spencer by himself in all kinds of typical boy poses (climbing, doing handstands, jumping, etc.)  And on the back end pages he's doing more fun things -- only now he is joined by his little brother, who is no longer an infant, but a little boy himself!

I recently posted about the book Bringing Home the New Baby, which my grandson also loved.  We wanted to buy him a little "Baby Brother Dolly", like the doll the little girl in the book has, so he could feed and change his doll while his Mommy fed and changed his baby brother.  Books about boys and new babies may be hard to come by - but try finding a boy gender baby doll! There were mostly girl dollies in frills and pink, but we finally found one that simply looked like a newborn baby, with a neutral colored sleeper on.


Another - really funny - "new sibling" book (for kids a little bit older) is Julius, The Baby of The World, by Kevin Henkes.  It's told from the perspective of a very precocious little girl mouse named "Lilly", who reluctantly gets a new brother - "Julius".  Hilarious help for sibling rivalry. (4-8 year olds)


Do you have any favorite books that deal with new siblings/sibling rivalry?  I'd love to hear about them!

2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for posting this! I am off to add this to my Amazon cart. I love your blog. I am expecting my third little boy in March and I am ALWAYS on the lookout for books about brothers and little boys. Have a blessed Advent and Merry Christmas!

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    1. You're welcome, Vanessa - I think you'll love it. Blessed Advent and Nativity to you as well!

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