Changes

This is a lovely book for big siblings though of course, as the title suggests, it’s not really a practical book of ways to play with the babe. Instead, it’s a funny and at times unusual list of things you really shouldn’t do with a newborn. Like , let him play with an elephant. Or send him for a hot air balloon ride (alone). Or wrap him in brown paper and post him. You ''really'' shouldn’t do that.

Throughout the book, our two chocolate-coloured children are having fun. Even when he’s in a kangaroo’s pouch, the baby is grinning away. It’s not surprising that the baby is laughing when he’s alone in the chocolate shop. Mmmm, chocolate. Then it’s back to reality. You shouldn’t take the baby to school. Just look how he’d slip down the chair under the table. School is for big boys and girls.

At In the end, just in case you’re worried, we learn a few lovely things should do with the baby. Like cuddle and kiss him, and sing to him and…read to him. Maybe even this book.

This book is a simple read for little ones, lots of descriptive pictures but not many words. It’s fun because it’s so silly – you KNOW you’re not supposed to do all these things but the big sibling in the book has done them so you can giggle together about how naughty she is. The pictures are colourful and lively and it’s nice to have a change from the usual pale, pink -faced babies. There’s lots of detail for eagle eyes or older readers, but even toddlers will enjoy looking at the situations this baby finds itself in.

Recommended for pre-schoolers preschoolers with new baby brothers and sisters, this is utterly inoffensive and absolutely adorable.

[[The Bear with Sticky Paws and the New Baby by Clara Vulliamy]] has, as the title suggests, another story about new arrivals. You might also enjoy [[Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada by Jimmy Fallon and Miguel Ordonez]].