I Used to Be the Baby

by Robin Ballard

"I used to be the baby, but now I am big." So begins this story of a not-very-big sibling who suddenly finds himself with a baby brother. He willing shares his toys with the baby, he plays with him, and he knows when to be quiet. He sings a cheerful song when it is needed, and he teaches his brother many useful lessons. But sometimes even the biggest of us likes to be the baby -- and in this loving family, that is no problem at all!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

24 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2002

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet the most wistful title ever given a picture book. At least, it's by far the most wistful title this book reviewer has encountered yet: "I Used to Be the Baby."

What a fascinating book to give a resentful displaced former-baby of your family. It's full of good ideas of things that an older child can do to help the younger one. Only....

How Come this Determinedly Upbeat Book Makes Me Want to Cry?

* Is it the unconvincing perpetual smile on big brother's face?
* Is it the page-after-page sequence of big brother displaying superhuman patience?
* Or might it be that the exhausted looking mother never seems to thank her bigger guy?

SURE, I'LL GIVE THIS BOOK FIVE STARS

It could come in handy if you're training your older child to live this way.
But do you really want the karma of training your older child to live this way?

[Booktart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad portrayal of how an older sibling can interact with a new sibling (though not sure it’s entirely realistic). However, maybe I’m over analyzing with this, but it really irked me that the book talks all about how the boy can help his mommy, assuming that the mom is doing all the caretaking,etc. It just seems very old fashioned. It’s one thing if the mom is intended to be a single mom but the bio says it’s based on the author’s experience and she has children with her husband.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice book about babies for slightly older children. I read it with groups of 2-year olds and their caregivers. I like that it tells a bit about how the baby is different while also acknowledging that sometimes older kids like to be babied too. Not a really exciting book, but a nice read.

[Zoha Hosseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

متاسفانه در ترجمه خیلی به کتاب صدمه زده شده و خط سیر داستان و شخصیت پردازی ساده اما خوب کتاب از بین رفته. جمله ها با یک سری اشعار گاها بی معنا جایگزین شدند. کاش مترجمین و ناشرین اگر به حقوق کپی رایت متعهد نیستند لااقل به اثر نویسنده ها به عنوان یک اثر هنری متعهد باشند.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about becoming an older sibling. It's specifically written about a big brother and a baby brother, but since we're expecting a baby girl I just said "she" whenever the book said "he" about the baby brother, and my 2 1/2-year-old didn't bat an eye.
There's very little sibling resentment mentioned in this book, something I appreciate since my child is very excited about getting a sibling and I don't want to introduce the concept of resentment and jealousy if he isn't naturally feeling that himself (yet). The book shows various ways the older brother can help the baby. Funnily enough, some are things my son has already suggested he wants to do for his baby sister when she comes (sing songs to her, blow bubbles for her in the bath tub).
I don't like this one quite as much as Joanna Cole's "I'm A Big Brother" but it's still a good one to read in preparation for a new baby.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the concept of this book- it's meant for an only child who is getting a new baby sibling, to help them see situations they may find themselves in and see how they can react positively. The baby may try to take away your toys, for example, but instead of getting mad or hitting, you can just get them their own toy to play with. Some of the pages I insert additional advice, and I also said "sister" for the whole book, even though it's about a baby brother. My 23-mo-old son really seems to like this.

[Melody Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy is now the big brother of the new baby in the family. He does everything a big brother should, he shares his toys and helps his mom. But sometimes he misses being the baby too. Learning to cope with the new baby in the family is a challenge for any sibling, this boy learns that sometimes he can be the baby too because there is enough love for both of them. This is great for students going through the new sibling problems. It helps show that even with a baby sister or brother, your parents love you just the same.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin Ballard does a great job of setting up the book to show how positive a bad event can be if you help out your brother. With our two boys only 15 months apart, it is a struggle to teach our oldest to help out and not to hurt. This book gives some great ideas of ways the older one can help the baby and mommy as well as enjoying himself. Each part of the story is something my wife and I have experienced with our boys and it is great to read a book that relates to our struggles in a child's voice.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the new big brother has a positive outlook here and likes helping his baby brother. Refreshing because most books on the topic present the new baby as very negative to the older sibling, who then comes around like on the last page. Realistic, maybe, but I feel like that's telling the kid to expect it to be a negative experience. My daughter loved talking about how she would do all the things the big brother does in this book. I recommend it!

[Sadie Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very simple and is about a young child becoming a big brother and not being the baby of the family anymore. This is good for young kids, especially those who are going to have or already have a younger sibling. The illustrations and words are simple and would be a great book for students who are in the beginning levels of reading. This shows ways the big brother can help the little baby, but also shows the big brother getting cuddles from his mom at the end.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would maybe be better after baby is born, but it's a cute book and we haven't had any about babies for a little while, so I thought I'd pick it up.

This was a great one for reading to the soon-to-be-big-brother. I will definitely get it again closer to his/her arrival because it shows all of the things that baby can't do and how a big sibling can still play or relate to the baby.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

very sweet book for big siblings (especially perfect for big brother /baby brothers)... I think i'd end the last page a little differently, but the rest of it is very cute, and is a very positive, big-sibling perspective

[Rusty Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I used to be the baby but now I am big."

Pros: My oldest son likes reading this book. He can definitely relate to being the new big brother. It was a cute book with a happy message. I liked the simplistic style of illustrations too.

[Scott Stoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a father of 4, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it for anyone who is getting ready to have a second child. The pictures are very cute and the concept of the book is good and refreshing

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книга чудесно подходит для мальчишек, в семье которых появляется младший братик. В коротких предложениях-историях книга рассказывает, как хорошо быть старшим братом, как помогать маме с малышом, играть и развлекать его.

[Anica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to DJ when I was pregnant with A. I think it helped him realize (and me) all the ways he could be helpful with a new baby. I love this book.

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

highly relevant these days!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new baby does lots of things that could be frustrating for an older sibling, but this big brother knows just what to do to help his baby and keep his cool.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this take on the "New Baby" genre