Running Head: ANNOTATAED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annotated Bibliography 1

Running Head: ANNOTATAED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annotated Bibliography: Books on A New Sibling for Grades K-4

Brette Wolff

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Introduction

In this annotated bibliography focusing on siblings I highlight K-3 books which discuss the following subtopics: adoption and new siblings, the emotional and psychological implications of a new sibling entering the house, general concepts concerning a new sibling or baby, and lastly books geared towards preschoolers who are experiencing a new baby in the house. The books range from sister-to-sister, brother-to-brother, sister-to-brother, and brother-to-sister relationships. The books, which are all fictional picture books focus on not only the American culture, but also Native American, French, Chinese, and Japanese cultures as well. Additionally the illustrations range from bold uses of color to actual photographs of babies. These books will be useful in working with students in the classroom who are having a new addition to their family. They can be used as the main component of a theme or as a supplement to a curriculum on topics such as: families, jealousy, sibling rivalry, change in family structure, adjustment, sharing, and babies.

Adoption

My Mei Mei by Ed Young. 2006. The Penguin Group. Picture Book, Fiction, Adoption, Sisters, Chinese Americans, China. Grades: K-3. HBG: 1. Location: HBG.

Antonia wants a mei mei, little sister, of her own. She dreams about it until her family goes to China and brings home a little baby. The baby is not what Antonia thought, as she does not play or talk. Over time Antonia is able to see the good qualities in her sister and as she grows she is able to have the relationship with a little sister that she always wanted.

When Joel Comes Home by Susie Gregg Fowler. Illustrated by Jim Fowler. 1993. Greenwillow Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Adoption, Friendship. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: HBG.

The narrator a little girl, patiently prepares for Joel, the new baby that her family friends have adopted. As the plane lands she cannot wait to see Joel, as she was told she could be the first to hold him. Mixed with acceptance and love the narrator expresses her excitement as she holds Joel thinking of the fun they will now have.

Emotions

A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1964. HarperCollins Publishers. Picture Book, Fiction, Badgers, Babies, Sisters Family Life. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Located: HBG.

Frances is jealous of her new baby sister Gloria. No one pays attention to her. She decides she will run away after dinner and runs under the table. She overhears her parent’s talk about how much they miss her, especially as Gloria’s big sister. Realizing she would like to come back Frances pretends to call home and at hearing that she is missed, she tells them she is coming back home.

Aren’t You Lucky! by Catherine Anholt. 1990. Little, Brown and Company. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies. Grades: K-3. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

Everyone is telling the big sister how lucky she is to have a new baby. At first she is very excited until she sees how much attention the baby gets and needs from everyone. She decides she is not so lucky after all until her mother needs help and the big sisters realizes she can help her family and from then everyone tells her how lucky her new baby brother is to have her.

Back into Mommy’s Tummy by Thierry Robbererecht. Illustrated by Philippe Goossens. 2004. Clarion Books. Jealousy, Babies, Preschool, Mother and daughters. Grades: Preschool. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

An honest interpretation of what a child goes through with a new baby. A little girl is turning five decides for her birthday that she wants to go back in her mommy’s tummy. A new baby is on the way. She admits that she is afraid the new baby will be loved more. The baby kicks as she hugs her mom making her feel that the baby is excited to come out and meet her.

Changes by Anthony Browne. 1990. Alfred A. Knopf. Picture Book, Anxiety, Imagination, Parent and Child. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: CPL.

Joseph’s dad leaves the house to get mom and is told that things are going to change. Joseph looks at everyday objects in a different way, wondering what his dad meant was going to change. He kicks a soccer ball that turns into an egg that hatches a bird and wonders about the changes. Finally giving up, he goes to his room until his parents come home and he realizes they meant a new baby!

Chloe’s Birthday…and Me by Giselle Potter. 2004. Antheneum Books for Young Readers. Picture Book, Fiction, Jealousy, Siblings, France, Birthdays, Gifts, France. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Located: HBG.

Giselle is not happy about her little sisters, Chloe’s, birthday. On the day of Chloe’s birthday, Giselle decides to hide Chloe’s present in the sand and make her look for it. What seems to be a good idea quickly turns, as they are not able to find the gift. Chloe does not care because Giselle and her begin tot bond in the sand, and in the end find her birthday present.

Geraldine’s Baby Brother by Holly Keller. 1994. Greenwillow Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Brothers and sisters, pigs. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: HBG.

Geraldine does not like the new baby in the house. She wears earmuffs so she does not have to listen to the crying and calls the new baby “it.” She isolates herself from everyone and is angry with this new baby. Finally, she decides to let the baby no what she thinks but in sitting alone with him realizes how she is the big sister and maybe he is not so bad after all.

Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes. 1990. Greenwillow Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Brothers and sisters. Grades: K-3 HBG: 1. Located: HBG.

Before Julius was born Lilly loved him. She told him all her secretes. When he was born; everything changed. Lilly decided she wanted nothing to do with him. She warned other who were having a baby and tried hard to sabotage anything her parents did for Julius. In the end, though, Lilly comes to the rescue when her cousin insults Julius and Lilly realizes her loyalties to her little brother.

Mama, Coming and Going by Judith Caseley. 1994. Greenwillow Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Mother and child, Memory. Grades: K-3 HBG: 2. Located: HBG.

This book acknowledges the unorganized and overwhelming feeling a mother can experience from a new baby, from the eyes of the new big sister. Jenna notices her mom doing some funny things such as forgetting to defrost dinner, but no matter what everything always works out. As she exercises patience and acceptance with her mother and her new baby Jenna is able to help her mother adjust while adjusting herself to the new situation.

Me Baby! By Riki Levinson. Illustrated by Marylin Hafner. 1991. Dutton Children’s Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Brothers and Sisters. Grades: K-3. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

Danny shows the adjustment of having the attention in the house focused on the new baby. As visitors come to see his new baby sister, he repeats the phrase “me baby” to try to get what he wants. No one is listening to Danny’s pleas to hold the baby until his dad places him on his lap and lets him experience being a big brother by holding the new baby.

On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott. 1972. Clarion Books. Picture Books, Fiction, Native Americans, Mother and Son, Family. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: CPL.

In this Native American story, Michael doe his favorite thing which is to rock back and forth on his mothers lap, bringing items such as his dolly, boat, reindeer blanket and puppy. All is going well until the baby begins to cry feeling left out and Michael’s mom suggests bring the baby on her lap as well. Hesitant at first, Michael soon realizes there is always room on mother’s lap for everyone.

Perfect Friend by Yelena Romanova. Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. 2005. Frances Foster Books, Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Dogs, Friendship. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: HBG.

Archie (a dog) is waiting for his surprise. He reflects back on fish he has who would not play and the turtle he was too slow to play. The family return with Max their new baby and Archie feels left out and alone until a ball bounces in the room and he realizes that Max is bigger now and he has the perfect friend after all.

That New Animal by Emily Jenkins. Illustrated by Pierre Pratt. 2005. Frances Foster Books. Picture Books. Fiction. Jealousy, Dogs. Babies. Grades: K-3. HBG: 1. Located: HBG.

It is okay for FudgeFudge and Marshmallow(two dogs) to talk about nibbling on their owner’s new baby until Grandpa comes over to try and pick up the baby and the two dogs become very protective. It is okay for them to pick on the baby, but it is their new animal and no one else’s. This book takes a different approach to an angle of protective siblings and their love-hate relationship.

The Crane Girl by Veronika Martenvoa Charles. 1992. Orchard Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Cranes, Japan, Babies, Brothers and sisters. Grades: K-3. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

Yoshiko is very excited for the new baby to arrive until her parents no longer have time to give her attention Feeling unloved and unwanted she sets off to find a family that will love her. She is raised by the Cranes and transforms into one until she hears her family tell her little brother about her and she is so sad she becomes a girl again to be with them.

Vera’s Baby Sister by Vera Rosenberry. 2005. Henry Holt and Company. Picture Book, Fiction, Sibling rivalry, Babies, Grandfathers. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: HBG.

Vera, angry about the new baby builds a bean tent with her grandfather. She focuses her attention on the growth of her beans rather then the cries of her new baby sister. As the bean vines make beans, she brings them in for her family She finally realizes as her sister grows up a little too that she was not so bad after all and maybe next year she would build her a bean tent.

General: K-3

Billy and Belle by Sarah Garland. 1992. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. Picture Book, Fiction, School, Babies, Siblings. Grades: K-3. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

Belle goes to school with Billy while mom is having her baby. The biracial couple is off, which a neighbor takes the two children to school. The book tracks the school day of Belle and Billy while they wait for the new baby, where Belle gets into a bit of mischief when she needs a class pet and decides to bring a spider. When they come home the new baby is brought home.

How To be A Baby…By Me, The Big Sister by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Illustrated by Sue Heap. 2007. Schwartz & Wade Books. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Family, Siblings, Humorous story. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Located: HBG.

From the point of view of the big sister, she takes on the mission of letting her younger sibling know all the things to expect such as eating baby food and the love and support an older sibling provides. Sharing her own experiences with the baby, the narrator connects with younger siblings to prepare them for what to expect as they group up, under the supervision of course of the big brother or big sisters.

Just Like a Baby by Rebecca Bond. 1999. Little, Brown and Company. Picture Book, Fiction, Cradles, Family, Babies. Grades: K-3. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

The family preps for the new baby by contributing one by one to the crib for the new baby. Dad builds the crib, grandpa paints it, grandma makes a quilt, big brother creates a mobile, and finally mom who reflects on all the love each person brought to the crib. When the baby finally comes and begins to cry they know just where to place it so that it will sleep soft and sound.

Oonga Boonga by Frieda Wishinsky. Illustrated by Sucie Stevenson. 1990. Little, Brown and Company. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Brothers and sisters. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: CPL.

No one can get baby Louise to stop crying, everyone in the neighborhood offers advice for what might work including rolling her on her stomach and listening to Mozart. Nothing work’s of course until Louise’s big brother Daniel comes home and says “Ooonga Boonga.” When he steps out to play; however, the crying cannot be stopped even with the magic phrases until he comes back and whispers “Bonka Wonka,” emphasizing the special bond between siblings.

The Baby Sister by Tomie DePaola. 1996. G.P. Putmnam’s Sons. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Brothers and sisters. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: HBG.

Tommy’s mom is going to have a new baby. He wants a baby with a red bow. Tommy’s parents leave for the hospital and he is left with his brother and his Italian grandmother instead of his favorite Aunt Nell. He is forced to adjust to the change and to make an effort to get along. In the end he becomes friend with his grandmother and meets his new baby sister with the red bow.

The New Baby at Your House by Joanna Cole. Photographs by Margaret Miller. 1985. Morrow Junior Books. Picture Books, Fiction, Family and children. Grades: K-3. HBG: 2. Location: CPL.

This is an informational book that contains a foreword to parents, suggested further reading, and real photographs on the different stages a family goes through in preparation for the new baby. It also goes into detail on what to expect after the baby comes and is written in a simple enough for a young child to understand. The book shows a diverse group of babies and families.

Preschool

Little Rabbit’s New Baby by Harry Horse. 2006. Peachtree Publishers. Picture Book, Fiction, Babies, Triplets, Preschool, Brothers and sisters, Rabbits. Grades: Preschool. HBG: 3. Location: CPL.

Little Rabbit cannot wait for the new baby. To his surprise when he goes to the hospital, there is not one but three new babies. After making several attempts to play with them and realizing they are too young, Little Rabbit gives and decides that no one cares about him. No one, until the babies begin to cry and will not stop until Little Rabbit comes to the rescue.