What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Small Person
Lauren Child tells the familiar tale of a less-than-welcome sibling with subtlety, insight, affection, and humor.
Elmore Green starts life as an only child, as many children do. He has a room to himself, where he can line up his precious things and nobody will move them one inch. But one day everything changes. When the new small person comes along, it seems that everybody might like it a bit more than they like Elmore Green. And when the small person knocks over Elmore’s things and even licks his jelly-bean collection, Elmore’s parents say that he can’t be angry because the small person is only small. Elmore wants the small person to go back to wherever it came from. Then, one night, everything changes. . . . In her signature visual style, Lauren Child gets to the heart of a child’s evolving emotions about becoming a big brother or sister.
Elmore Green starts life as an only child, as many children do. He has a room to himself, where he can line up his precious things and nobody will move them one inch. But one day everything changes. When the new small person comes along, it seems that everybody might like it a bit more than they like Elmore Green. And when the small person knocks over Elmore’s things and even licks his jelly-bean collection, Elmore’s parents say that he can’t be angry because the small person is only small. Elmore wants the small person to go back to wherever it came from. Then, one night, everything changes. . . . In her signature visual style, Lauren Child gets to the heart of a child’s evolving emotions about becoming a big brother or sister.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2014
13 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Child
457 books842 followersLauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
August 29, 2015
Elmore Green loves being the only child.
Elmore Green's parents thought he was simply the funniest cleverest, most ADORABLE person they had ever seen.
And Elmore Green liked that because it is nice to be the funniest, cleverest most ADORABLE person someone has ever seen.
Unfortunately, one day Elmore is no longer the only child. His world is turned upside down by a "new, small person."
Elmore refers to this person as "it" and gives the new child neither name nor gender.
The small person followed Elmore Green everywhere.
It wanted to sit next to him; it wanted to copy everything that Elmore did. It wanted to be everywhere that Elmore was.
"Where are you going, Elmore?" said the small person.
"Nowhere," said Elmore.
"Can I come?" said the small person.
When the small person said things like this, Elmore Green would go and sit up a tree.
Elmore is certain that he doesn't like and WILL never like this small person.
Until one night he has a nightmare, and things change.
The siblings begin to bond and become closer.
Eventually Elmore stops referring to the small person as it, and gives it a gendered pronoun.
And on the last page we discover that the small person has a name, and Elmore finally uses it.
...
Now, whether you find this cute or a bit disturbing is your own business. I thought the book was charming - great illustrations. I am more familiar with kids who love and welcome a new baby, rather than children who reject and hate the new baby, so I can't really comment on how realistic this is. The fact that the family is black is also a bonus. How come there is so much diversity in children's picture books but once I get up to YA, suddenly everyone is white? o.O It's annoying.
I'm only giving this four stars because it's not particularly energizing, lacking the fun, pop, and humor that usually prompts me to give a children's book five stars.
Not available in Spanish.
Elmore Green's parents thought he was simply the funniest cleverest, most ADORABLE person they had ever seen.
And Elmore Green liked that because it is nice to be the funniest, cleverest most ADORABLE person someone has ever seen.
Unfortunately, one day Elmore is no longer the only child. His world is turned upside down by a "new, small person."
Elmore refers to this person as "it" and gives the new child neither name nor gender.
The small person followed Elmore Green everywhere.
It wanted to sit next to him; it wanted to copy everything that Elmore did. It wanted to be everywhere that Elmore was.
"Where are you going, Elmore?" said the small person.
"Nowhere," said Elmore.
"Can I come?" said the small person.
When the small person said things like this, Elmore Green would go and sit up a tree.
Elmore is certain that he doesn't like and WILL never like this small person.
Until one night he has a nightmare, and things change.
The siblings begin to bond and become closer.
Eventually Elmore stops referring to the small person as it, and gives it a gendered pronoun.
And on the last page we discover that the small person has a name, and Elmore finally uses it.
...
Now, whether you find this cute or a bit disturbing is your own business. I thought the book was charming - great illustrations. I am more familiar with kids who love and welcome a new baby, rather than children who reject and hate the new baby, so I can't really comment on how realistic this is. The fact that the family is black is also a bonus. How come there is so much diversity in children's picture books but once I get up to YA, suddenly everyone is white? o.O It's annoying.
I'm only giving this four stars because it's not particularly energizing, lacking the fun, pop, and humor that usually prompts me to give a children's book five stars.
Not available in Spanish.
February 13, 2017
Those small people, they're an upheaval, especially for those of us who were solitary and independent before the smalls came along.
If you haven't experienced this, first hand, it's hard to understand how the inclusion of a younger sibling could be a problem. If you were an only child, this might seem downright crazy (most of my only-child friends always told me how lucky I was because I had a little brother and little sisters. They were so wrong)
This story is near and dear to my heart. I understand how Elmore feels and why it's hard for him to acknowledge the incredibly annoying small person as a family member. I still don't understand why parents go for more kids instead of more cats or dogs or hamsters or what have you. I would have been the happiest kid ever had I had three cats instead of three siblings.
However, it usually works out in the end (unless you're my brother. He tried to kill my sister a few times because no one had the guts to send her back from whence she'd come)
If you've got an imaginative, self-directed, independent child who is about to become a big brother or sister for the first time, this might help with the transition.
And, yes, like Elmore, I learned to like my siblings, too. It took more than 25 years, but it did happen.
If you haven't experienced this, first hand, it's hard to understand how the inclusion of a younger sibling could be a problem. If you were an only child, this might seem downright crazy (most of my only-child friends always told me how lucky I was because I had a little brother and little sisters. They were so wrong)
This story is near and dear to my heart. I understand how Elmore feels and why it's hard for him to acknowledge the incredibly annoying small person as a family member. I still don't understand why parents go for more kids instead of more cats or dogs or hamsters or what have you. I would have been the happiest kid ever had I had three cats instead of three siblings.
However, it usually works out in the end (unless you're my brother. He tried to kill my sister a few times because no one had the guts to send her back from whence she'd come)
If you've got an imaginative, self-directed, independent child who is about to become a big brother or sister for the first time, this might help with the transition.
And, yes, like Elmore, I learned to like my siblings, too. It took more than 25 years, but it did happen.
March 2, 2015
I always marvel at anyone who can create a three dimensional protagonist in a 32-page picture book. Bravo Lauren Child. Love this book!
March 19, 2015
Adorable! I really liked this book, it was so funny and endearing. Not to mention that I love the fact that the children are brown, but the book is not preachy, historical, or about being brown. Those books are rare. I love how Elmore refers to his little brother as 'it' or 'the small person', until he finally learns to call him Albert.
September 27, 2023
I always have to read Lauren Child’s books with a British accent because of Charlie and Lola! 😂 Cute story of having a new sibling as told by the older sibling.
June 23, 2024
Library copy
August 6, 2015
Funny and sweet; highly recommended for older siblings who are resistant to change when "the new small person"enters their lives. Loved the way Elmore gradually and somewhat begrudgingly adjusted to baby brother Albert, and loved how Albert looked up to and imitated big brother Elmore. Fans of Clarice Bean will appreciate Lauren Child's winning illustrations.
June 5, 2015
I love that he considers his brother "it" at least until he looks to be at least five years old.
July 29, 2024
I was pretty good
March 23, 2015
Richie’s Picks: THE NEW SMALL PERSON by Lauren Child, Candlewick, February 2015, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-7810-4
“Now I know that you’re just my little brother
And I don’t expect you to get everything just right
But I think you ought to use a little more sense than what you’re using
And maybe then things would be all right”
-- Suzanne Vega, “Brother Mine” (her first song, at age 14)
“But he got better when he grew up. Right? Guess again. I just got off the phone with him fifteen minutes ago and he is still in trouble.”
-- Writing about my little brother four years ago, in a review of another great, older-sibling/younger-sibling picture book.
“Elmore Green wished the small person would go back to wherever it came from. But Elmore’s parents explained that this was NOT possible.
“The small person got bigger. And things got much worse.”
THE NEW SMALL PERSON is a notable picture book about the challenges of dealing with a younger sibling, as told from the perspective of the older sibling.
As an eldest sibling, I’m forever drawn to these stories about children trying to cope with younger siblings. I know the feeling of exasperation experienced by big brother Elmore Green in THE NEW SMALL PERSON.
Of course, Elmore’s little brother, Albert, is not really that bad. His crime is wanting to share with Elmore and trying to emulate him.
Suddenly, Elmore has to let Albert choose some of the TV shows to watch. He has to put up with Albert touching, sitting on, and even wearing his stuff. To Elmore’s dismay, Albert loves to follow him around, and then, to top it off, Albert moves into Elmore’s bedroom.
What happens next? When Elmore has a nightmare, guess who is there to comfort him? It turns out that it’s not so bad to have a little brother around!
One of the notable aspects of THE NEW SMALL PERSON is that the two brothers are Black. The world of children’s literature has significantly evolved since Molly Bang received a Caldecott Honor a generation ago for the groundbreaking TEN, NINE, EIGHT. But the first two librarians with whom I shared THE NEW SMALL PERSON echoed my feeling that there are still too few picture books with characters of color.
Putting up with a little brother has been my life. Or was. It’s kind of weird to be writing about a sibling story now that my troublesome little brother is gone. Like Albert, he really wasn't that bad to have around, and now I really miss him.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
“Now I know that you’re just my little brother
And I don’t expect you to get everything just right
But I think you ought to use a little more sense than what you’re using
And maybe then things would be all right”
-- Suzanne Vega, “Brother Mine” (her first song, at age 14)
“But he got better when he grew up. Right? Guess again. I just got off the phone with him fifteen minutes ago and he is still in trouble.”
-- Writing about my little brother four years ago, in a review of another great, older-sibling/younger-sibling picture book.
“Elmore Green wished the small person would go back to wherever it came from. But Elmore’s parents explained that this was NOT possible.
“The small person got bigger. And things got much worse.”
THE NEW SMALL PERSON is a notable picture book about the challenges of dealing with a younger sibling, as told from the perspective of the older sibling.
As an eldest sibling, I’m forever drawn to these stories about children trying to cope with younger siblings. I know the feeling of exasperation experienced by big brother Elmore Green in THE NEW SMALL PERSON.
Of course, Elmore’s little brother, Albert, is not really that bad. His crime is wanting to share with Elmore and trying to emulate him.
Suddenly, Elmore has to let Albert choose some of the TV shows to watch. He has to put up with Albert touching, sitting on, and even wearing his stuff. To Elmore’s dismay, Albert loves to follow him around, and then, to top it off, Albert moves into Elmore’s bedroom.
What happens next? When Elmore has a nightmare, guess who is there to comfort him? It turns out that it’s not so bad to have a little brother around!
One of the notable aspects of THE NEW SMALL PERSON is that the two brothers are Black. The world of children’s literature has significantly evolved since Molly Bang received a Caldecott Honor a generation ago for the groundbreaking TEN, NINE, EIGHT. But the first two librarians with whom I shared THE NEW SMALL PERSON echoed my feeling that there are still too few picture books with characters of color.
Putting up with a little brother has been my life. Or was. It’s kind of weird to be writing about a sibling story now that my troublesome little brother is gone. Like Albert, he really wasn't that bad to have around, and now I really miss him.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
March 26, 2015
Elmore Green is a well loved only child, satisfied with all the fun and colorful toys a little boy needs. That is until a baby brother comes along, another adorable tousled hair African American baby boy, who looks like a smaller version of him. The problem is, everyone is fussing over the baby who does nothing, instead of giving Elmore, the interesting one, the attention he requires. As time passes, the "small person" moves into his room, and even licks HIS jelly bean, an orange flavored one his flavor. One night when Elmore has a nightmare, his little brother cuddles and comforts him, making Elmore feel secure. Life gets even better when TV shows are shared and toys. This is a warm story with clever illustrations with a collage feeling, created with realistic patterns of knit, fresh abstract prints on clothing, and the signature Lauren Child, simple yet so expressive faces on the little boys. These characters are fresh and entertaining, hopefully Elmore and his brother will have more adventures. Older siblings will find much to love in this story.
October 7, 2015
This is a lovely story of a boy who one day finds out a new small person has come to stay and be part of his life.
Elmore Green has everything a kid could want: his own bedroom, toys, jelly beans, and the exclusivity of being the funniest, cleverest and most adorable person in the house. When the small new person appears all of this is put at risk. Everybody ask him to be patient because the small person is small, but the truth is that the situation only gets worse as time passes and he grows up.
Luckily one night the small person has the chance to do something nice for Elmore. This will be the first of many good moments the kids will enjoy together. The small person will actually be Albert from now on. Elmore discovers sharing is much better. Orange jelly beans are beyond discussion, though!
Age range: 3 to 6 years old.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
Elmore Green has everything a kid could want: his own bedroom, toys, jelly beans, and the exclusivity of being the funniest, cleverest and most adorable person in the house. When the small new person appears all of this is put at risk. Everybody ask him to be patient because the small person is small, but the truth is that the situation only gets worse as time passes and he grows up.
Luckily one night the small person has the chance to do something nice for Elmore. This will be the first of many good moments the kids will enjoy together. The small person will actually be Albert from now on. Elmore discovers sharing is much better. Orange jelly beans are beyond discussion, though!
Age range: 3 to 6 years old.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
March 21, 2015
This book was darling. The tone is just so very *English* that it's hard for me not to find it endearing - and it would have been endearing anyway.
From jellybeans to TV shows to long lines of things, Elmore discovers both the drawbacks (and maybe, possibly, the benefits) of having a Small Person around. But probably not.
I loved the "distant" language. The Small Person is only referred to as such. Or as "it." It makes a nice window into the mind of someone who was perfectly happy as an only child, thank you very much.
Basically, this is going to be my new go-to book for "how to deal with becoming an older sibling" recommendations.
From jellybeans to TV shows to long lines of things, Elmore discovers both the drawbacks (and maybe, possibly, the benefits) of having a Small Person around. But probably not.
I loved the "distant" language. The Small Person is only referred to as such. Or as "it." It makes a nice window into the mind of someone who was perfectly happy as an only child, thank you very much.
Basically, this is going to be my new go-to book for "how to deal with becoming an older sibling" recommendations.
June 13, 2015
Child's illustrations are as charming as ever, but I didn't find the story to be so.
Elmer is an only child who resists his new brother's inclusion in the family. The younger sibling is referred to as "it" from Elmer's perspective for most of the story, which covers two or three years of life. Elmer spends the book refusing to include or engage with "someone small" and, indeed, he does not learn to appreciate the new small person until that small person is no longer so very small at all. It's not until the younger sibling is useful to him and able to play with Elmer in the way he prefers that Elmer acknowledges his name.
Elmer is an only child who resists his new brother's inclusion in the family. The younger sibling is referred to as "it" from Elmer's perspective for most of the story, which covers two or three years of life. Elmer spends the book refusing to include or engage with "someone small" and, indeed, he does not learn to appreciate the new small person until that small person is no longer so very small at all. It's not until the younger sibling is useful to him and able to play with Elmer in the way he prefers that Elmer acknowledges his name.
August 23, 2016
This picture book is just about perfect. Is it engaging and insightful about how kids deal with a new sibling? Yep, it certainly is. Is there a portrayal of a loving and normal African-American family? Definitely, and it's not overbearing or condescending in any way. Are there bright, cheerful illustrations that suck you right into the story? Undoubtedly, and now we want to line up our jelly beans! Seriously though, we're going to be recommending this one twenty years from now. Excellent stuff.
November 27, 2014
The second of six books I have to read for Children's Book Day.
The premise on the back cover was much more promising than the first.
A lot of children will identify with the main character and it is a good resource for helping children to cope with feelings of jealousy at the birth of a sibling.
My reservation is that it took a really long time for him to fully accept his little brother, in fact not until he stopped being quite so little.
The premise on the back cover was much more promising than the first.
A lot of children will identify with the main character and it is a good resource for helping children to cope with feelings of jealousy at the birth of a sibling.
My reservation is that it took a really long time for him to fully accept his little brother, in fact not until he stopped being quite so little.
June 16, 2015
The writing is great and so true to life (especially the ending!). I loved how the words were just as much a part of the illustrations. Also, it was refreshing to see illustrations of black children as protagonists in a simple story about siblings.
May 20, 2015
We like Lauren Child around here, and this one was great. A nice story about how a new sibling disrupts life but is ultimately not too bad to have around. I love the pictures.
August 6, 2015
New favorite. This book is genius!
July 28, 2016
Flashback! Flashback to childhood! Great book to help a child see that things do get better with the crummy little sibling that is ruining your life.
February 25, 2019
This is such a cute book I really enjoyed reading. It is a book that I feel everyone would have a connection to it. A connection on how it you are the baby of the house but when the new small person comes along, it seems that everyone might like the new sibling more than you. Throughout the book it also show another example of how that new small person might be like more than you. For example, when the new person knocks over Elmore's things and even licks his jelly bean collection, Elmore's parents say that he can't be angry because the small person is only small. But throughout the book I really like how the author, Lauren Child gets to the heart of a child's emotions about becoming a big brother or sister. In addition, that mom and dad loves each of their kids with the same love to each one of them.
Link to author website: https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/B...
Link to author website: https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/B...
August 6, 2023
Read this to my grandson, who is now a Big Brother.
March 27, 2015
The creator of Charlie and Lola returns with a new picture book sibling pair. Elmore Green has always been an only child. He has his own room, no one moves his toys around, and no one eats his jelly beans. But suddenly a new baby enters the picture and soon Elmore finds himself sharing a room, unable to leave any of his toys unattended, and no one pays him attention. Perhaps worst of all, his jelly bean collection is licked by his little brother! Just as all seems to be falling apart, Elmore discovers that there are some parts of having a new sibling that aren’t so bad after all like laughing at TV shows together, sharing toys, and even sharing jelly beans (maybe).
Child has a wonderful way of understanding what children are thinking. While other new sibling books have more focus on the loss of parental attention, Child shows exactly how a small sibling can bother an older one. She merrily skips quickly past the baby stage and directly to toddlerhood where the most disruption can take place. Young readers will enjoy a book that has plenty of humor but also is realistic too.
Child’s art is done in her signature style. Her collage work incorporates pieces of cloth and patterned paper. I appreciate that her new family are people of color and also that it is not a focus of the book but just a visual component, natural and not remarked upon.
Perfect for Charlie & Lola fans and also for older siblings experiencing their own toddlers at home. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Child has a wonderful way of understanding what children are thinking. While other new sibling books have more focus on the loss of parental attention, Child shows exactly how a small sibling can bother an older one. She merrily skips quickly past the baby stage and directly to toddlerhood where the most disruption can take place. Young readers will enjoy a book that has plenty of humor but also is realistic too.
Child’s art is done in her signature style. Her collage work incorporates pieces of cloth and patterned paper. I appreciate that her new family are people of color and also that it is not a focus of the book but just a visual component, natural and not remarked upon.
Perfect for Charlie & Lola fans and also for older siblings experiencing their own toddlers at home. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
May 10, 2015
Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum
This is the story of one of my nephews in a nutshell. M was none too happy when O arrived, apparently threatening to kick her at one point. It took him a while to warm up to her, but they seem to be getting on now. A lot sooner than it takes Elmore to adapt to his sibling thank goodness.
The subject matter of this book is nothing extraordinary. I am never particularly thrilled by new sibling books that make the new sibling seem like a bad thing either. It would be perfect for those children who are already experiencing these feelings of jealousy and loss already though. (like my nephew) As with all her books though, there is this adorable quality to them, one that always makes me want to read the book in a British accent.
Perhaps the most interesting and unique aspect of this book, which probably shouldn't be a thing but is, is the skin tone of the characters. Fess up. When was the last time you saw one of these 'new baby' issue books featuring children of color? They exist, but they are definitely few and far between. I found two others in my Internet ramblings. This is not what the book is about, to be sure, but it draws attention because of its rarity. An issue that I am hoping becomes less and less unique as more and more books featuring children of all backgrounds and ethnicities becomes more widespread.
This is the story of one of my nephews in a nutshell. M was none too happy when O arrived, apparently threatening to kick her at one point. It took him a while to warm up to her, but they seem to be getting on now. A lot sooner than it takes Elmore to adapt to his sibling thank goodness.
The subject matter of this book is nothing extraordinary. I am never particularly thrilled by new sibling books that make the new sibling seem like a bad thing either. It would be perfect for those children who are already experiencing these feelings of jealousy and loss already though. (like my nephew) As with all her books though, there is this adorable quality to them, one that always makes me want to read the book in a British accent.
Perhaps the most interesting and unique aspect of this book, which probably shouldn't be a thing but is, is the skin tone of the characters. Fess up. When was the last time you saw one of these 'new baby' issue books featuring children of color? They exist, but they are definitely few and far between. I found two others in my Internet ramblings. This is not what the book is about, to be sure, but it draws attention because of its rarity. An issue that I am hoping becomes less and less unique as more and more books featuring children of all backgrounds and ethnicities becomes more widespread.
June 29, 2015
I enjoy my job, especially when I get to choose great quality books for adults and kids to read. This book is quite funny. Elmore starts out as an only child, but one day things change. A new small person was brought into the family and Elmore didn't like "it" taking all of the attention. He didn't like "it" touching his things and he didn't like "it" moving into his room. He told his parents to "take it back where it came from", but to no avail. Soon "it" was following Elmore everywhere and Elmore did not like having something so small following him around. But one night it all changed and Elmore thought it was nice to have Albert around when he needed him.
This story is great to read to a child that is about to become a big sister or brother. I thought it was quite funny, but in the end it turned out to be really sweet.
This story is great to read to a child that is about to become a big sister or brother. I thought it was quite funny, but in the end it turned out to be really sweet.
March 6, 2015
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Family: Older brother, younger brother
One of the same but a relatable story for older siblings. Elmore Green enjoys the quiet and attention of being an only child. All of the things he treasures (or, at least, are mentioned by the author) are quickly stamped out as a baby is brought into the family. Although he is annoyed by his brother, he soon finds that having a companion is rather delightful. I like how Child refers to the little brother as "it" until the very end, when Elmore Green decides to share a precious candy with him.
Family: Older brother, younger brother
One of the same but a relatable story for older siblings. Elmore Green enjoys the quiet and attention of being an only child. All of the things he treasures (or, at least, are mentioned by the author) are quickly stamped out as a baby is brought into the family. Although he is annoyed by his brother, he soon finds that having a companion is rather delightful. I like how Child refers to the little brother as "it" until the very end, when Elmore Green decides to share a precious candy with him.
July 25, 2015
Okay, since I am the youngest of three, perhaps I never would have been the target audience for this book about what happens when a young boy is confronted with the reality of a new sibling. Nonetheless, I was charmed by the story about Elmore, who slowly learns to navigate the world of a younger sibling (cleverly referred to, throughout most of the book, as "It"). You get the sense that adults are present, but that it's up to Elmore to figure out how best to cope with--and ultimately benefit from--a younger sibling. An empowering read for young children!
February 19, 2015
An only child struggles to except the new small person who has turned his world upside down. One night, though, changes their whole relationship when the new small person turns out to be an essential ally.
Nice realistic coverage of kid emotions. I like the plot twists that bonded the brothers and the pacing that got them from mistrust to friendship.
Highly recommended for new big siblings PreK-2.
Nice realistic coverage of kid emotions. I like the plot twists that bonded the brothers and the pacing that got them from mistrust to friendship.
Highly recommended for new big siblings PreK-2.
April 1, 2015
THIS.
IS EXACTLY HOW IT FELT TO BE AN OLDER SIBLING.
The "new small person" comes into your perfect world and everyone likes them better and everyone says you can't be mad at them because "they are only small" and they TOUCH YOUR PRECIOUS THINGS.
I love this book. The ending, where Elmore Green decides that his brother isn't a hellish troll-child, is cute and natural (for a picture book plot, anyway), and the illustrations are truly adorable. Highly recommend.
IS EXACTLY HOW IT FELT TO BE AN OLDER SIBLING.
The "new small person" comes into your perfect world and everyone likes them better and everyone says you can't be mad at them because "they are only small" and they TOUCH YOUR PRECIOUS THINGS.
I love this book. The ending, where Elmore Green decides that his brother isn't a hellish troll-child, is cute and natural (for a picture book plot, anyway), and the illustrations are truly adorable. Highly recommend.
January 14, 2016
Elmore Green did not like having a small person living in his house. The small person made noise and moved his things around. It even licked his jelly beans. Elmore Green asked his parents if they could take the small thing back to wherever they had gotten him, but his parents said that was impossible. Find out how Elmore Green learns to accept his baby brother. http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews