There's Going to be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick Press)
The lauded husband and wife creators collaborate on this charming book with Burningham writing and Oxenbury illustrating. The story of a child awaiting a sibling has been told, but rarely with such tenderness and humor. I like how the mother listens to her child's fantasies, fears, anger, and hope without commentary, responding with her own wonder about what the baby will be like. Oxenbury's inked lines capture varied moods, and every other full-page spread lets us peer into the little boy's imagination, with a retro dotted background done digitally and nods to Winsor McCay's
Little Nemo and Crocket Johnson's
Harold and the Purple Crayon. There's a lot to make you laugh and look again at the soon-to-be-older brother's array of feelings, and relief that no one forces a line toward mature acceptance; the sweetness of the ending comes straight from a loved and loving child who's been allowed to express himself.
Purchase There's Going to Be a Baby and make sure to read more of our
Top of the Shelf recommendations.
