Baby Can by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Maxie Chambliss

There is a time in parents’ lives when they are looking for gentle books on having a new baby in the house that will help an older sibling through the transition.  And there are quite a few of them out there, but this one is a charmer!

Each time Brendan’s parents tell him that the new baby James can do something, Brendan shows that he can do it too.  The adults in the book respond with enthusiasm and kindness by appreciating Brendan’s demonstrations of his own skills.  Through the picture book, James grows from a tiny baby into a toddler.  It is Brendan who notices his brother walking for the first time, and it will surprise no one who James decides to walk towards. 

The book is pure joy with no negative messages for new older siblings.  Though Brendan is obviously concerned that the baby gets a lot of attention, it is not spelled out in the text.  Instead older siblings learn that there is plenty of attention for them as well.  The illustrations are very friendly, filled with lots of white space, warmth and bright colors.  The text is equally welcoming and is appropriate to use with toddlers who are becoming older brothers and sisters.

Recommended for 2-4 year olds.