Best Kind of Baby - Hardcover

Laing, Kate

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0803726627 ISBN 13: 9780803726628

Publisher: Dial, 2003

Synopsis

When her mother tells her about the soon-to-be new baby, Sophie says that she’d rather have a pet that does interesting and fun things, but upon the newborn's arrival, Sophie begins to see that babies are quite amusing too.

About this title

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-During her mother's pregnancy, Sophie gives each of her four friends a different explanation as to why Mommy's belly keeps getting bigger-she's having a mouse, a dog, a monkey, a dolphin. The girl also describes the type of games she'll play with this new baby, be it rolling in the mud or swinging through the trees. While her friends want to join in the fun, her parents make a point of correcting her, "-we are going to have a human baby, not a little mouse!" When she's confronted with her new brother, she finds that he's a bit like all the wished-for creatures-he drools like a puppy and spits like a dolphin-and quickly realizes that there will be many things she can teach him. Consistent in its point of view and repetitive in structure, this story moves steadily and unobtrusively through the pregnancy. What is less clear is how readers will react to Sophie's circumspect emotional response. Rather than empathize with her nervous anticipation and na‹vet‚, they might simply reject her as being ill informed. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are nicely detailed and expressive. Sophie is a redheaded mop top whose hair is tied into a ball at the top of her head and her squat friends are a diverse and appealing group. A mildly entertaining tale.
Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 3. Jealousy, thy name is Sibling--especially when it's an older sibling who has just learned that a baby is about to enter the picture. In Laing's witty picture book, young Sophie plunges into deep (and comical) denial when she hears the big family news. She tells her friend that her mom is about to have a puppy, a mouse, a monkey, and a dolphin--all of which, Sophie thinks, would be loads of fun to have around. Finally, faced with a newborn brother, Sophie decides that the animals' squeaks, drools, and wiggles are very like the baby's, but having a brother is better than having a monkey or a mouse because she can teach him so many things. Alley's warmly humorous watercolors underscore Sophie's troubled state. A lighthearted way for expectant siblings to come to terms with their impending fate. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Dial
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0803726627
• ISBN 13: 9780803726628
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Alley R.W.