The New Baby

Ana & Andrew

by Christine Platt, Junissa Bianda (Illustrations)

Ana & Andrew are expecting a sibling! The family is very excited. Mama's family arrives from Trinidad, and everyone helps to get ready. When the baby arrives, Ana & Andrew learn from Granny that in African American culture, a baby's name often tells an important story. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2019

About the author

Christine A. Platt is a historian and storyteller of the African diaspora. She holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from the University of South Florida, M.A. in African Studies from The Ohio State University and received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.

Her debut novel, The Truth About Awiti, was published under the penname CP Patrick and won the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal for Multicultural Fiction. The Truth About Awiti is currently used in high schools, colleges and universities to teach the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Christine’s highly anticipated children series, Ana & Andrew, will be published on December 15, 2018 (ABDO Books/Calico Kids).

Christine currently serves as the Managing Director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University under the leadership of National Book Award-winning author, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. She is a proud member of the Association of Black Women Historians and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Additionally, she is an Ambassador for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

You can follow Christine on Instagram via @theafrominimalist, where she interacts with thousands of friends and fans on minimalism and, of course, books.

Reviews

[Cara]

Young readers of any culture will identify with the book’s common theme of preparing for a new baby, while the African American characters and traditions add welcome diversity to the tale. The text length is appropriate for new readers, with a good amount of dialog and some humor. However, some of the vocabulary choices are questionably difficult, such as “developing”, “instructed”, and “organized”. Colorful digital illustrations accompany the text on every page, aiding new readers’ understanding and adding a feeling of warmth and togetherness to the family’s story. When their extended family arrives from Trinidad right before the birth, Grandma explains African American naming traditions to the twins, and when the baby is born, the parents explain his name’s significance. Give this book to children in grades 1-3 who are just starting to read chapter books, especially those who enjoy realistic fiction, but recognize that they may need help with some of the vocabulary.

[Lisa]

This is such a sweet little book. I read it to my 7 year old and he really enjoyed it and asked that we immediately read The Perfect Pet. It’s a little shorter than what my 7 year old has been reading lately (mostly Branches books), but still a great book for an independent early reader. I also think my four year old will really like it. I love that it introduces some culture and history as well.

[AMY]

32 pgs. I love how the author approaches the whole subject of a new baby arriving. It was done with great care to make everyone feel included and full of excitement. A great family story. Highly recommended for Grades 2-3.

[Zach Freeman]

Good book for a 4yo and 2yo about to have a new baby. Introduces the idea of a midwife and having family come into town to be there for the birth of a new baby.

[Kayla]

*home birth*