I don't remember saying it, but my parents have never let me forget the first words I spoke about my sister.
"It's a nice baby," I said. "When is it going home?"
I was so taken with my new sibling (sarcasm hopefully noted) that for years I never really got around to learning her name -- I simply referred to her as "the baby." That part I do remember.
With a history like that, you can be sure that there was a little bit of trepidation in our household when it came time to explain to our two-year-old daughter that soon she would have a younger brother or sister to share our house with. So far, I am glad to report, she has taken to the news much better than her father did.
It was with much excitement, then, that I went to the release of a new book called "Hi! I Am the New Baby." Written by Oakville writer Tina Powell, this book is written from a new baby's perspective. The 32-page picture book serves as a way for the new "arrival" to introduce him- or herself to an older sibling. The idea is to answer the many questions the older brother or sister might have about the new baby.
Powell came upon this idea honestly. When her son held his new sister for the first time, he immediately wanted to know if she could talk. That was just one of the many questions he had about what his sister could and could not do.
"He just couldn't wait to communicate with her," Powell writes in the forward. "I thought who better to answer those questions than the baby herself."
The book covers just about every question an older child might have. Crying, sleeping, sharing toys (not the sharp ones!) and eating are a just a few of the concepts the book explains to "junior #1."
Powell's words and concept are great, and the illustrations by Gary McLaughlin enhance the book appreciably. You can even personalize the book by putting a picture of the new baby in a space included in the cover. As an adult, I am sold, but the real question is: What did my daughter think?
I am happy to say that she has enjoyed "Hi! I Am the New Baby" immensely. She is taken by the interactive nature of the book, and has been inspired to start picking out the toys that she can share with "the baby." Now I wonder how I would have been if I'd had the same kind of resources!
Finding "Hi! I Am the New Baby" will be easy -- it is available at independent booksellers, and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the country. You can also call 1-800-489-8715.