SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Lighthearted and funny, this is an ideal book to share with soon-to-be big brothers and sisters.”

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...The big brother and sister present useful guidance on everything from how to hold a newborn (sit down, cradle its head, speak softly) to diaper changes (it’s not that bad) to accepting that infants are not yet equipped to play (“playing with a new baby is like playing with a loaf of bread.”).... Leng’s vignette-style cartoons add humor and capture the family’s wide range of facial expressions, body language, and feelings—from anxious anticipation to quiet surprise....There are even tips for parents on how to help a child adjust to a new sibling. VERDICT Lighthearted and funny, this is an ideal book to share with soon-to-be big brothers and sisters. — Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal

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THE HORN BOOK
“A twofer. It not only sets the scene for kids expecting a new sibling but also clues in grownups.”
 

KIRKUS

“Expect older kids to go gaga over this informative little guide.”

 

...Whether it's the baby's initial appearance ("red, wrinkly skin with little bumps all over her face"), its limited mobility and facial expressions, or umbilical stumps, Rusch keeps the tone lighthearted and original (no small matter in a market glutted with new-baby fare). The kids' narration works as a purely practical template for kids curious about how their lives will change. Backmatter includes bibliographies and tips for parents on how best to meet the needs of those children that feel jealous of the baby. In keeping with the book's humor and general good cheer, Leng's spirited watercolors bring both the chaos and the charm of babies to vibrant life....

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Youth Services Book Review ★★★★★

“A must-have book”

 

...The entire book is child-centered and attempts to allay fears of older children when they are shocked by the sight of the umbilical cord or are freaked out by the baby spitting up on them. It is comprehensive and fun and makes the older children feel included in the whole process of raising this child....

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BOOKLIST

“A baby with older siblings as enlightened as Anna and Oliver is one lucky baby.”

 

In this lighthearted guide, young siblings Anna and Oliver offer advice and walk readers through common experiences when a new baby is on its way and then joins the family..... Softly colored, jaunty cartoon drawings with dialogue bubbles match the cheery tone of the text. A baby with older siblings as enlightened as Anna and Oliver is one lucky baby.

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The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Rusch brings new energy to the topic with this frank, funny, and helpful guide”

 

Books about the arrival of a new sibling are a dime a dozen, but Rusch brings new energy to the topic with this frank, funny, and helpful guide to coexisting with a baby....Ultimately there’s a blend of genuinely useful tips and good humor, in a sympathetic but matter-of-fact approach that doesn’t overpromise on the love or exaggerate the disruption.

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PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Anna and Oliver star in the book’s many vignettes and address readers directly (think House of Cards without the menace), providing frank, this-too-shall-pass answers that reflect the realities of living with a newborn.”

 

Rusch (Electrical Wizard) and Leng (A Family Is a Family Is a Family) assuage readers’ anxieties about new arrivals by channeling their advice through two elementary-school-age siblings who have just welcomed a baby to their house....Leng’s matter-of-fact, well-observed cartooning, reminiscent of classic family magazines, underscores the book’s levelheaded, soothing message: you got this. Ages 4–7.

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“This gem of a book provides exactly what expecting parents and growing families need."
Ready, Set…Baby offers a fun and informative story that is both emotionally and artfully captivating as it realistically explores ways parents can help younger siblings prepare for and then live with the arrival of a new baby.  Filled with real-life vignettes, this gem of a book provides exactly what expecting parents and growing families need as a child-friendly narrative they can joyfully read together to help with this important transition in their ongoing development. You’ll laugh, cry, and learn a ton.  Enjoy!
— Author Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. 

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