The Big Sibling Getaway

September 1, 2020

PreS-K-Life certainly changes when a new baby sibling enters the picture! Cassie begins to suspect something is different when objects in large boxes arrive on her doorstep. Next, a baby brother shows up, and his nonstop wailing has Cassie at her wit's end. She takes the last empty box and does the only thing she can do: escape. Her box takes her out of her neighborhood, across the sea, and even into space before the wailing is silenced. After a while, though, Cassie learns that the distance is not what she really wants. Anyone with a new baby sibling will be able to relate to Cassie's experience; her tranquil, familiar world disappears overnight. Readers first meet the baby in an infant seat held by two adults, one with a pinkish arm, one with a brown one, while the baby and Cassie both have brown skin. Blue, peach, purple, and aqua dominate the color scheme of this book, where striking images simultaneously recognize Cassie's strength and her independence as the older sibling. Short sentences and engaging illustrations make this book ideally suited to emerging readers who can easily navigate the story through the images alone. VERDICT With compositions that keep readers involved in the story from beginning to end, this is an excellent book to help preschoolers transition to life with a new baby sibling.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2020
Cassie has a new baby brother and needs to get away from all the crying. When the new baby arrives, the wailing and sobbing start--and never stop. Cassie decides she needs a break and finds an empty box to hide in. When she can still hear the crying, her box becomes a car and takes her to the beach. The wailing continues, and the box becomes a small sailboat taking her far across the sea. The box then becomes a hot air balloon, and Cassie soars with the birds. Finally, when even that isn't far enough, the box becomes a rocket, and she blasts off to somewhere completely silent. But being alone might not be as wonderful as Cassie expected it to be. This is a grand, funny, and imaginative adventure of a beleaguered child trying to find an escape. Even though it is about a new baby, this book has appeal for all children who just need to get away from something that is bothering them. Cassie provides readers with an excellent model of a child who helps herself to take a break from a stressful environment to find calm. The charming illustrations add to the adventure and humor. There are big, bold examples of onomatopoeia, fostering phonemic awareness. Cassie and the baby have light brown skin and black hair. Only the arms of her parents are shown, one medium brown and one pale. A fun, sweet getaway for anyone who needs one, especially those with new siblings. (Picture book. 4-8)

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