A young boy enthusiastically introduces his newborn sister to his favorite toy, plays music for her, and gives her a house tour, showing her crib and peering curiously over its side. Like many children with newborn siblings, he frequently hears “no” as he navigates his new role. He acknowledges that the baby “only drinks milk” but is gently stopped when he offers her his glass. He’s told “no” when his bike’s front wheel crashes into the baby’s carriage and gets a firm “no” when he stacks building blocks atop his sister’s forehead. The boy also says “no,” particularly when asked if he likes being a big brother. Feeling frustrated, he angrily retreats to his room, dons T. rex pajamas, and tearfully trashes the place. Compassionate Dad carries his “big dino” to the parental bed, joined by Mom, as a tiny red caption “explains” that the boy is a tyrannosaurus. The child then lovingly reassesses his sister and decides she’s really a diplodocus.
This sweet tale, translated from French, deals realistically with a firstborn’s conflicted feelings when a newborn arrives. The simple, colorful illustrations suit the engaging, concise text well, making it a sympathetic read for children adapting to not being “onlies” anymore.
Score: 4/5
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