Toby Is a Big Boy

by Lou Peacock, Christine Pym (Illustrations)

Families with new babies and older siblings will see themselves reflected in this ever-so-sweet story of sibling rivalry as a young elephant gets frustrated with all the attention his baby sister is receiving.

Toby is no longer a little elephant. He's a big boy now, much bigger than baby sister Iris. He can do exciting things all by himself. He can pour his own milk, read his own bedtime stories (sort of), and even reach the snacks high on the shelf that he's been told are "just for mamas." But sometimes it feels that Toby has to do everything by himself because Mama is too busy with Iris. And some things are really hard even for a big boy. Toby ends up with spaghetti on his nose, rain boots that don't match, and toilet paper everywhere! He is mad . Luckily, Mama is there to remind Toby of the perks of being a toddler--and that no matter how big he gets, he'll always be her baby.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Library Binding

Published July 9, 2019

About the author

Lou Peacock is lucky enough have one of the best jobs in the world: "Head of Picture books" at Nosy Crow. She has a degree in English literature from Oxford University, and nearly twenty years’ experience in children’s publishing. She started her editorial career working on novelty books and poetry, but has focused on picture books for the last 18 years. She often puts her author hat on to write picture books for Nosy Crow and has a notebook full of scribbled ideas.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically, this story elaborates on how Toby the toddler is stuck with Iris, his new sister who is getting far too much attention.

To this Goodreader this reads as a poignant story.

Although I'm shelving this story under HUMOR, that's not my experience of this book. However, some readers may get a real kick out of making fun of poor Toby, such as his toilet paper mishap.

The beauty of this tale is that it's big-and-wide enough to accommodate those who want to laugh at Toby and others of us who just wish we could give him a great big hug... and then some quality attention.

An alternate title for this book might have been, "Toby Starts Attending the School of Hard Knocks."

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've of two minds about this picture book: I appreciate that a "big" kid's feelings about getting less attention and help than a young sibling are taken into consideration, though the solutions provided wouldn't have appeased my oldest kids. Sweet illustrations, though not sure if it's going to be a regular read in my house.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute prompt for older siblings to help ease the transition of a new baby and a parent's inevitable distraction. I wish it had gone into all the special things that come with age/being first-born -- it lost an opportunity by glossing over that at the end, although of course any grown-up could prompt the conversation with their reader.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book for toddlers/preschooler who have a baby in the house. And it's a good reminder to the parents that just because your kid is a 'big boy' and can do things themselves, they don't always want to be that big.

My toddler loved the pictures of Toby making a mess. I'm not quite sure he understood the 'running away" concept but fun nevertheless.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby's little sister seems to take up all of mama's time so Toby has to take care of himself. But Toby doesn't want to take care of himself. Toby packs a bag and goes out into the backyard to be all by himself until mama comes out and reassures him that he will always be her baby.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby is a big boy, especially since his little sister needs so much attention because she's littler than Toby. But Toby doesn't necessarily like being a big boy.

I really liked the story. Toby is jealous and proud at the same time.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about growing up and mourning the loss of little boy status (new little sister) into big boy, but then appreciating all that he CAN do by himself. Looks like this would be a great storytime selection with large expressive illustrations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom guilt is real. This is definitely a read for when having a new baby in the house.

[Georgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book for the young ones who don't always understand that there are other kids.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for older siblings about how they are still important and can ask for help when they're having trouble

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for older siblings who are feeling neglected by parents and not quite ready to be as independent as everyone is pushing them to be.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a big brother, Mom and little sister! About growing up and managing things on ones own when Mom is tending to baby sister.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, relatable "new baby" story.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid

[Lara Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about how an older child now needs to share his mother as there is a new sibling.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet illustrations; the last page will grab your heart.
Themes: elephants, growing up.
Ages: PreK