I always look at September as a new beginning. The academic year begins and new children's books arrive. This fall there are many sibling books to help children adjust to the beginnings of new birth.
For many siblings, babies begin with endless waiting. In Harriet Ziefert's Waiting for Baby (Holt, $13.95; ages 3-6) Max watches his mommy's tummy grow, asks lots of questions, and after nine months is impatient! He tries whispers, a walkie talkie, chanting and drums, until he final tells the baby he's just going to have a good time. He does so until he finally, joyously meets his baby sister.
The young girl in Robin Ballard's When I Am A Sister (Greenwillow, $15.00; ages 4-7) is worried about the arrival of her first stepsister. As she leaves after a happy summer with her father and Kate, she wonders about where will she sleep and keep her belongings. Her many concerns are expressed in the words of a young child and adult responses are warm and reassuring.
Hannah's Baby Sister (Greenwillow, $15.00; ages 4-7) by Marisabina Russo captures the expectations of an excited big sister. Hannah is full of plans about her new baby's name, welcoming, and plans for their future together. When she has a new baby brother, she's disappointed, but only until she holds him in her arms. Then she's full of love and happy new plans.
I have a special place in my heart for authors who write sibling books for the very young, revealing the mix of emotions for those too young to have the words. In Ian Whybrow's A Baby for Grace (Kingfisher, $14.95; ages 21/2-5), Grace's baby brings with it a steady stream of no's and poor Grace struggles to be helpful and "wants the people to say Ah yes! to her" like they do to her new baby. A final attempt to be noticed results in one more "no" and Grace is reduced to wails of protest louder than her new siblings... and finally the kind of attention she desires.
Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen's Elizabeti's Doll (Lee and Low, $15.95; ages 4-8) takes place in Africa and this older sibling wants a baby of her own. She names a rock just the right size Eva and imitates her mother's caretaking. Eva never dirties diapers and is too polite to burp; she's perfect until she disappears. The story has a perfect resolution that, like the rest of the book, points to cultural differences and universal feelings.
Photographs show it all in John Schindel's frog face: my little sister and me (Holt, $14.95; ages 4-7). In both poignant black and white and glorious color portraits we watch the two sisters grow together...getting over difficult feelings, learning to play , dealing with issues that arise when babies become mobile, and the love that grows between them.
Having a new baby brings many moods. When it's time for a light-hearted laugh turn to Phyllis Root's What Baby Wants (Candlewick, $15.99; ages 3-7), the story of a baby who won't nap and the extended family that tries to please him. Filled with noise and frivolity, one attempt is sillier than the next until little brother picks him up, kisses him, tucks him in and sings him (and everyone else) to sleep with a lullaby.
Lullabies can be a great cure-all! Latin Lullabies , a CD of seventeen lullabies from seven Spanish speaking is collected by Michal Shapiro (Ellipsis Arts ; 800-788-6670). Shapiro speaks of the difficulty of discovering them and many come from current artists as the folk culture is relatively new. It's difficult to believe given the beauty of voice and instrumentation, the versatility of style and talent, and the excellence of this recording which will relax the entire family.
Last month, I had a great honor. I was asked to be a birth coach for a good friend. In the same month, another dear friend had her second baby. It's been awhile since babies were in my life, but I'm glad they're back. Here are suggestions for those bringing babies into the world, and those who are celebrating those births from the sidelines.
When I think of my baby-rearing days, the memory that looms largest is the dreaded arsenic hour. That's what I called the time at the end of long days when dinner prep was on the horizon, nerves were frazzled, and everything fell apart. I was always in such survival mode that I didn't function wisely. I wish I'd done things differently and used books to help. Books with song and play can lift spirits and change moods at the more desperate parenting moments.
New parents with signing paranoia need to their babies will always be an appreciative audience. Three familiar songs appear in book form. Jane Cabrera's Over in the Meadow (Holiday House, $16.95; ages 0-4) records all the words to the traditional song in which mothers of all species nurture their young. The illustrations are vibrant, the song is repetitive and playful. Cabrera's book can later help toddlers identify animals, make animal sounds, and count.
A classic children's song is reborn in Lenny Hort's The Seals on the Bus (Holt, $15.95; ages 0-5). As different animals cruise around town, they change the familiar lyrics and add new sounds, filling parent-child sharing time with drama and humor.
If the mood calls for a slow song, Sylvia Long's beautifully illustrated Hush Little Baby board book now comes in a boxed set with a baby-sized cuddly, stuffed bunny rattle. (Chronicle, $16.95)
Dramatic play is a fabulous way to change charged environment. Parents who aren't familiar with action rhymes learn from Kay Chorao's Knock at the Door and Other Baby Action Rhymes (Dutton, $15.99; ages 0 to 3) The popular illustrator has designed a book with soft pastel tones in which dear little babies and animals romp across pages. The wealth of play rhymes have clear diagrams to direct and facilitate play.
Babies should have involving experiences with books from the start. Cloth books make for a cuddly introduction to the pleasure of books and allow for lots of manipulation without destruction. New in the marketplace is a series of Lamaze books produced in conjunction with experts from Yale. This series looks closely at development and clues parents into age-appropriate selections for children who are newborn to three years old. For newborns and up, there are two soft cloth books, Butterfly in the Sky (Lamaze, $6.99) and Look Baby (Lamaze, $6.99) . On the outside of both are rattles, while the insides name creatures, their actions, and habitats, extending the book's benefit into toddler years.
When I attended a friend's shower recently, I went bearing gifts for the two year old sibling. In the flurry of adjustment, big brothers and sisters need help understanding the changes and coaching on their new and important job. This is especially difficult if they are young. Here are some new books to help.
You can begin preparing with Jeanne Ashbe's What's Inside? (Kane Miller, $9.95; ages 2-4). This flap book is divided into three chapters which lead slowly to the most important topic. Chapter One covers looking inside, Chapter Two counsels about things you don't want to look inside, and last, the thing you can't look inside...mommy's tummy as it grows, and grows, and finally yields a new baby.
Dee Shulman's Our New Baby (Scholastic, $ 6.95; ages 18 months-3)is a small board book that will give big comfort. When a big sister and toddling brother embark on an admiring tour of babies, there's a repeated refrain of love throughout. In a final twist, the sister declares: "But best of all...I love our new baby". The book has few pages,the fun of lifting flaps, and characters who are great ambassadors of acceptance.
Let's Go to the Zoo! , a new series by the Smithsonian, includes two board book that will are well-suited for young sibling who are having a difficult time understanding what the all fuss is about. New Baby Giraffe pictures events a young sibling sees. Parallels between the animal and human situations can be drawn as the new giraffe nurses, bathes, and visits friends. Orang Utan's Playtime puts more stress on relationships. Two important sibling strategies lurk between the covers of this book; the benefits of being an older sibling and a sibling's new teaching position. Both books are filled with colorful realistic photographs. (Soundprints, both $5.95; ages 2-5)
A tale of reassurance might be just the ticket for story loving siblings. Debi Gliori's NoMatter What (HBJ, $16.00; ages 2 and up) portrays a young fox named Small, who's "feeling grim and grumpy", and tells busy parent, Large, "I don't think you love me at all". When Large quickly replies, "I'll always love you no matter what", Small launches a string of rhyming, rhythmic what-ifs. Each is met with bolstering playfulness and the book becomes a lovely definition of unconditional love.
I still have a few board books in my collection with gnawed corners that prove my babies had good taste in books. Board books endure. When you think of a board book for a newborn, select a book that meets present needs, but also has longevity.
Flap books lend drama to reading. Atsuko Morozumi's new series of sturdy board books have strong flaps that little fingers can manage. The titles also fit early experiences like Playing and Time for Bed (both from Random House, $4.99 In both books, an exuberant bunny guides babies through familiar daytime and nighttime practices.
Nancy Tafuri's I Love You, Little One (Scholastic, $7.99; ages 0-4) is the rhythmic recording of the love mamas express for their babies. It has soothing rhyme and rhythm for newborns, but later, toddlers can name animals and join in choruses. No matter what the age, children can never be reminded too often that they are loved.