The Baby-Changing Station

by Rhett Miller, Dan Santat (Contributor)

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rhett Miller teams up again with Caldecott Medalist and bestselling artist Dan Santat in a laugh-out-loud rhyming story about an older sibling who gets an opportunity to trade his younger brother for cool stuff when he finds a magical baby changing station.

Before Joe rolled in / I was the ten-year-old King / of all I surveyed / Now that he’s here / It’s perfectly clear / That I / am in the way.
 
James is NOT a fan of his new little brother, Joe. His parents adore Joe and don’t have time for James anymore. What is an older sibling supposed to do?!

When James stumbles upon a baby-changing station that can exchange younger siblings for much more exciting things, he is faced with endless options. Should he choose the night-vision googles, a cool chemistry set, a guitar, or keep his baby brother? James is put through the ultimate test until he realizes that being a big brother is not so bad after all.

With sly humor, playful rhymes, and dynamic art, The Baby-Changing Station celebrates the timeless theme of older-younger sibling rivalry with a humorous magical twist perfect for readers of all ages. 

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Humor, Childrens, Fantasy, Parenting, Juvenile

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 2, 2022

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

I'm getting on my soapbox here, because this is one thing that irritates me to no end, and I see it all the time at work. It's one thing for 10 year-olds to learn responsibility by completing chores, but parents should never force one of their children to be the caretaker of another one of their kids. If you don't want to have to restart child rearing with another child, DON'T HAVE MORE KIDS! The older child(ren) should never have to parent while they are still children themselves. It was never the child's choice to have another baby. Parents are so stupid.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea here for a picture book--and Dan Santat's illustrations are, as always, impeccable. However, the text was a disappointment. The meter was largely off, and rhymes were often forced, at times to the point of anguish. I'd still read it in a storytime with older kids (and parents) as they'd get a kick out of it.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book. Faced with the temptation of trading out his baby brother for one of the three shiny prizes a magical changing station offers him, a ten-year-old boy hesitates, imagining the future and thinking about all the fun he can have with his brother once he's older. The rhymes are sometimes clunky, but the illustrations are great, and the story is unique.

The downside of this book is that the premise involves the parents telling their ten-year-old child to go change his baby brother's diaper in a public restroom simply because they don't want to bother. It's played for laughs, but they offload their parental responsibility onto a child, and they don't even teach him how to change a diaper. Even though I know this is supposed to be humorous, I don't like how the book normalizes this kind of thing.

I'm not against older siblings participating in care for much-younger siblings. I have the same age gap between me and my younger sister, and I helped with plenty of things as a normal aspect of being part of my family. However, I was NEVER responsible for her in this way, and my parents only expected me to do things that they couldn't do at a particular moment, rather than something they didn't want to do. This aspect of the book rubbed me the wrong way, both because I dislike the example and because it can perpetuate negative stereotypes about families with large age gaps between children.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing look at gaining a new sibling from a ten-year old's perspective. James has to change his brother's diaper at a restaurant and has a life-thinking experience. He is offered the chance to exchange his brother for one of three exciting gifts. Readers see his thinking process as he ponders each option and comes to realize how much fun he will have with Joe as he grows.
Santat's artwork is amazing as usual and the character expressions are humorous.
NOTE: My frustration is that the parents tell James to change the baby's diaper rather than ask him. I'm sure this was done for humor but this is the wrong message to send. An older sibling is not responsible for caring for the new baby rather than the parents.

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

**This book is being considered as a nominee for next year’s Beehive Book Award for Children in Utah. My review reflects my thoughts as it pertains to that consideration.**

I like the premise of this book. I really do. I like the illustrations. Turning the phrase "Baby-Changing Station" into a place where you can actually exchange your baby sibling is hilarious and I think kids would love it.

But the text? Waaaaay too cumbersome to read to kids. The rhymes don't quite flow and I couldn't get the rhythm to work in my head or reading out loud. Now, if I heard the words with music (at least, I assume there's a song to go with this - I couldn't find one anywhere, though), maaaaaaybe it would make sense. But since this is being considered for the Beehive Nominees, I have to rate it as just the book by itself.

Sorry. I REALLY wanted to like this one.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Told in rhyming text, this stinker of a story reeks almost as much as Baby Joe’s diaper, starting off with the deadbeat parents making their 10-year-old son, James, change his infant brother’s diaper in the men’s room of the local pizza parlor because they’re too tired, lazy, and full of pizza to fulfill their adult responsibilities. What could possibly go wrong? James entertains a few possibilities. Engaging illustrations make the super-miffed bro look like a hero for not disposing little Joe with his dirty diaper.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming story asks the fundamental question every older child faces at one point in their life: would you trade in your younger sibling if someone offered you something cool? This book has a little bit of everything: magic, humor, a loving story, and a sweet ending.

I appreciate it when authors make these books fun for the parents reading them as well as the kids hearing them. I loved these characters and watching their relationship unfold. I also loved how the author empowered the older brother to change the baby's diaper. This book looks at the timeless theme of older-younger sibling rivalry.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept. James is a new big brother. For ten years, it has just been him and now - here's Joe, the new center for all parental attention. James is not quite as enchanted with Joe as his parents are. No one asked him if he wanted a new baby brother. Why can't Joe just disappear? Fortunately, James is asked to change Joe's diaper at the local pizza joint when - lo and behold - the baby changing table is, in fact, a true baby exchange. Will James succumb to the temptation or not?

The rhymes are a little forced in places... so I'm not sure if it would work as a read-aloud. But maybe for older kids. And Dan Santat's illustrations are, as always, amazing.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In rhyming text, a boy named James tells how bad it go when his little brother Joe came into his life. When his parents ask him to change Joe's diaper, he agrees and finds a Baby-Changing Station where he could turn in his brother. As he considers the options, James imagines what it would be like to play with those options with his brother as he gets older. (I love that the illustrations imply that there's a baby-changing station in the men's restroom!) For older siblings, babies aren't fun, but if you give it some time, they can make memories together. A good measure of a funny picture book--I actually chuckled to myself.

[Kelly]

Every book gets elevated when illustrated by Santat. I wasn't sure what to think at first - oh no, another celebrity book. And it's kinda long. But actually, it was a sweet story about being grossed out by and then accepting your brother as is. The rhyme is interesting. It kinda rhymes and kinda does that thing where it's like, eh, it's the same vowel sound, so it counts. It's certainly different.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

James is presented with an interesting opportunity. When he takes little brother, Joe, into the baby-changing station, there is a sign that proposes a trade: "Turn crybaby into cool stuff." Some of the options are very tempting: two pair Night-vision specs, two six-string guitars or two chemistry kits. Sure, sometimes Joe is a pain, but James can't imagine using any of those cool things without his little brother. Maybe he's not such a pain after all.

Charming.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea. It normalizes the jealousy a child feels for a new baby sibling. They rhyming sentences were irritating. I'd rather chant nursery rhymes. Other modern children's writers are also more adept with rhyming. Bea, my grand daughter didn't want to hear it again. Once was definitely enough for her...and she has a new baby brother. Only five months old. Just didn't work for her or for me.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it).

I wanted to read this book because I'm obsessed with Santat. The illustrations definitely don't disappoint! I also think the message is cute (about appreciating your siblings even when you kind of find them a pain). I was just expecting something a little different from the story. Like I wanted the baby to turn into a tiger or something. I dunno.
I also think a lot of the rhymes were awkward and I hated the "sooo...." that repeated several times,

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love Dan Santat's illustrations and this one is his classic style. The text is written in a poetic/song verse, which throws it off a bit as a read aloud. The girls liked it but it was a bit blah for me. The older brother has to decide if he'd trade off his annoying baby brother for the things he loves. It does have sweet parts about how great siblings and family can be.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like Julius the Baby of the World (Henkes), we have an older sibling who is initially not fond of their stinky little brother. Big brother's eventual kindness is rewarded when the little guy's first word is his name, James (which is an extremely unlikely first word, but ok). Great choice for big sibs and interesting addition to family-themed lessons/storytimes.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story written in verse. We are fans of Dan Santa which is the reason we picked it up. My boys really enjoyed this book and we had great conversations about siblings and people's value. The parents not wanting to take care of the baby was a little off-putting, however I understand that was just a tool to move the story in the direction the author wanted it to. Would buy.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

James is a ten year who now plays second fiddle to his baby brother for attention from his parents. But when James is asked to change Joe's diaper during family pizza night, an opportunity presents itself at the Baby-changing station. A whimsical look at sibling rivalry, and brotherly love.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful and unexpectedly touching story about a big brother coming to terms with being a brother. I love that it was about a child helping with a sibling but also that it took place in a public toilet on a changing table. You can’t find another book like it!

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hoot!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this amusing book about getting stuck with changing the baby

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and heartwarming story told in verse about adding a younger sibling to the family.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santat's illustrations help to carry the sometimes forced and awkward text for a sweet story of brothers and changing attitudes.

[Y.Poston]

Another visual feast of fun!
Fun story!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyming is SO fun.

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy and his baby brother

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute & silly sibling book

[Dedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be the perfect gift for any kid who recently got a younger sibling. Hysterical and heartwarming.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sucks you in with sympathy for a little one taking all the spotlight. Then it shows you how you already can't live without that little one.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such mixed feelings. Premise was funny. Santat did an amazing job as usual on the illustrations. The limericks started to get tiresome to read aloud. Some of the rhymes were just awful.