Review by Booklist Review
Always true to a toddler's viewpoint, the bright, clear double-page spreads in this glowing picture book show Cameron with his new baby sister, Sadie. Wide-eyed with joy, he kisses her sweet little toes, pats her head, pushes her carriage, and helps Mom and Dad soothe her to sleep. When she will not stop crying, no one knows what to do, until Cameron gently, gently pats her head, rubs her tummy, talks to her, and then for the first time, Sadie smiles. Mom and Dad are always there, and the bright collages show both engaged parents: Dad changing diapers; Mom nursing. But the focus is the tender physical drama between the small boy and his sister, shown beautifully in big, unframed portraits that close with a beautiful scene of his smiling face next to hers. The elemental drama of their joyful bonding makes this a gentle companion to all those sibling-displacement stories.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Every time Cameron's infant sister cries, his parents seem to have an answer: she's wet, she's hungry, she's tired. And once Cameron knows the problem, he's eager to help out. But Cameron really earns his stripes--and Sadie's first smile--when he's able to soothe a mysterious crying jag after his parents have run out of ideas. Landolf's (Hog and Dog) simple, descriptive writing should go a long way in alleviating--at least momentarily--the anxieties of newly minted sibling rivalry. Johnson and Fancher (Amazing Peace) offer a stunning visual counterpoint with their most luxuriant work to date. It's not entirely successful; the highly wrought backgrounds, created from intricately layered patterns, words and tiny drawings, add little emotional depth. But the team's framing and characterizations are faultless, and their use of life-size-and-larger scale is riveting. If readers aren't distracted by what amounts to weird wallpaper, they'll feel immersed in the intimacy, stress and rewards of tending a newborn. Ages 3-6. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Clearly intended for siblings who are adjusting to having a new baby in the house, this didactic story follows a simple pattern: big brother Cameron asks why baby Sophie is crying, Mom or Dad asks the boy's help in changing/feeding/calming her, and Cameron gets praised for being good to his sister. In the end, when his parents are baffled by Sadie's tears, only Cameron can quiet her, and he's rewarded with her first-ever smile. Johnson and Fancher's mixed-media collages shimmer with vivid colors and warm emotions. Close-up paintings of the family expressively convey loving relationships. Backdrops comprised of bright quiltlike swatches superimposed with tiny hands and feet, splotches of color, and random words and letters set off the action. This quiet story of a boy who loves his baby sister will work best shared one-on-one with a child in similar circumstances.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Despite giving her a diaper change, a nap, and nourishment, baby Sadie's parents can't get her to stop crying--but her big brother, Cameron, ultimately can. It's a sweet, simple story that older siblings will find affirming. The paintings show warm, loving family members set against collage-like backgrounds of eye-pleasing geometric patterns. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
There are plenty of books for newly crowned big brothers and sisters out there, but most assume an underlying jealousy at their heart. In this portrait of a gentle preschooler and his family trying to comfort his colicky baby sister, that element is sweetly absent. Cameron listens patiently to his sister's cries as she is changed, nursed and rocked through her misery. He periodically asks why his sister is crying and his parents give different answers, but in the end admit they don't know. Cameron decides to rub her tummy. The baby stops crying. Cameron then kisses her toes and she graces her family with her first smile. "What a good big brother!" says his motherthe book's refrain. Johnson and Fancher provide intimate, funky illustrations with a swooping mix of realistic images against colorful designs (that incorporate several waaaaaaaa's in the background, as well as the occasional wipe wipe and kiss kiss). A pleasing model for any new older sibling, jealous or not. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
