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Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First
Jonathon can’t figure out why grown-ups love babies! But he is going to have to get used to being a big brother. He is not the only kid in the family anymore, and he is not happy. GRRRRR…-double-GRRRRR.
Life is changing, and Jonathon needs to adapt. And he’ll soon find out that having a new baby brother in the house is not so bad after all.
In her first-ever picture book, award-winning author Paula Danziger brings to life a very real topic to which both parents and children can relate and enjoy. With heartwarming text and humorous illustrations by G. Brian Karas, adults and kids are sure to appreciate this story.
Life is changing, and Jonathon needs to adapt. And he’ll soon find out that having a new baby brother in the house is not so bad after all.
In her first-ever picture book, award-winning author Paula Danziger brings to life a very real topic to which both parents and children can relate and enjoy. With heartwarming text and humorous illustrations by G. Brian Karas, adults and kids are sure to appreciate this story.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2004
About the author
Paula Danziger
119 books353 followersPaula Danziger was an American children's author. She wrote more than 30 books, including her 1974 debut The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, for children's and young adult audiences. At the time of her death, all her books were still in print; they had been published in 53 countries and translated into 14 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 10, 2023
A jealous older brother delights in using insulting names for his new baby brother.
The tone is sarcastic and grumpy. IMO, spiteful words are the basis for the "humor" in this picture book. Hence, the setup early in the story:
Jonathon Arthur Robinson," my mother says. "Not funny. No more names. Not now, not when company comes, not ever. You're Daniel's big brother."
Who is the intended audience for this story of sibling rivalry? I gather, children -- and their adult readers -- who like books that are down-to-earth (aka gratuitously nasty).
On their behalf, I'll give this book FIVE STARS. That's sure not because I personally like it. Quite the opposite.
The tone is sarcastic and grumpy. IMO, spiteful words are the basis for the "humor" in this picture book. Hence, the setup early in the story:
Jonathon Arthur Robinson," my mother says. "Not funny. No more names. Not now, not when company comes, not ever. You're Daniel's big brother."
Who is the intended audience for this story of sibling rivalry? I gather, children -- and their adult readers -- who like books that are down-to-earth (aka gratuitously nasty).
On their behalf, I'll give this book FIVE STARS. That's sure not because I personally like it. Quite the opposite.
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June 15, 2019This is a cute book that I feel would benefit some children who are having trouble adjusting to a new sibling. In this book, a boy does not like having a new baby brother and thinks it is funny to call him all sorts of names such as Barfburger and Poopburger. People remind him that his cousin did not like his twin siblings at first, but now that everyone is older, they all have fun together. The boy realizes its not that bad and having a baby brother isn't too horrible.
November 20, 2019
Published in 2004.
This book is a goofy sweet way to discuss how feels being an older brother or sister. I think this would really benefit students who are navigating losing attention to a younger sibling.
This book is a goofy sweet way to discuss how feels being an older brother or sister. I think this would really benefit students who are navigating losing attention to a younger sibling.
June 10, 2017
About being a big brother to a new baby....
December 4, 2017
i thought it was kindof silly
December 2, 2018
We were in a pretty silly mood yonight and we thought this book was hilarious!
May 3, 2019
Jonathan has a new baby brother, and jealousy sets in.
October 16, 2020
Boys thought it was funny!
October 1, 2024
Not saccharine at all. Fans of Paula Danziger Judy Blume fiction will get it. Fave illustrator.
February 27, 2017
“Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First” is a story about a young boy who has just became a big brother and he is NOT happy about it. He doesn’t like the idea of this new baby getting all the attention when all he does is poop, throw up, and cry. He doesn’t seem to sit well with the idea of every one calling him a kiddie name that he has grown out of. As more and more family and friends come and visit he gets angrier and angrier with the idea of all of them being so obsessed with his new baby brother. Until, his older cousin shows up and everything changes…
The first thing that attracted me to this story is of course the silly title. Then the story line fell right after that. It’s a cute concept of how an older sibling gets jealous after their new brother or sister comes home. Although I thought it was a cute concept I didn’t really enjoy the main character in this story. He seemed a little too bratty for me. I felt as though they could have made him a little funnier in his jealousy. To me he came off annoying and bratty.
I didn’t really enjoy the illustrations, maybe because it is a bit dated. The colors were very neutral and nothing really popped out to me where I needed to keep my eyes on it.
All in all, it was a cute story concept because it shows a side of the story that happens majority of the time with an older sibling rather than a simple “I have a new baby brother and I’m going to be a GREAT big brother!” So, in that aspect it was very enjoyable but I will say that it was very repetitious to me and could have had a LITTLE better story line for me.
The first thing that attracted me to this story is of course the silly title. Then the story line fell right after that. It’s a cute concept of how an older sibling gets jealous after their new brother or sister comes home. Although I thought it was a cute concept I didn’t really enjoy the main character in this story. He seemed a little too bratty for me. I felt as though they could have made him a little funnier in his jealousy. To me he came off annoying and bratty.
I didn’t really enjoy the illustrations, maybe because it is a bit dated. The colors were very neutral and nothing really popped out to me where I needed to keep my eyes on it.
All in all, it was a cute story concept because it shows a side of the story that happens majority of the time with an older sibling rather than a simple “I have a new baby brother and I’m going to be a GREAT big brother!” So, in that aspect it was very enjoyable but I will say that it was very repetitious to me and could have had a LITTLE better story line for me.
March 23, 2011
Back and forth on this one. I would have pegged Jonathon as much older than 5. Still, a choice for parents looking for a "new sibling" book--especially one where the older child is a lot older and will note the attention for baby even more than a child only 1 or 2 years older than baby. Some humor seem like it would be over the age of 5, and some I'm not sure I would want under age 5 to get. Not bad. Just...not what I like for the younger age. And all the name calling. And.... I guess I'm more of an eh, even though I did smile a couple of times and get the point and see its place and purpose.
P.S. "We can play darts"--ha ha ha!
P.S. "We can play darts"--ha ha ha!
July 15, 2014
A new big brother is focused on all the annoying traits of his new baby brother. He also struggles with his own identity and makes a bold move toward growing up when he gifts his favorite toy to his new sibling.
Good, realistic kid emotions. I wanted a bit more in terms of a reversal in how Big Brother views Little Brother, but it's still a great book for families welcoming new children and for addressing how older siblings feel during that process. PreK-2.
Good, realistic kid emotions. I wanted a bit more in terms of a reversal in how Big Brother views Little Brother, but it's still a great book for families welcoming new children and for addressing how older siblings feel during that process. PreK-2.
September 24, 2014
This book was so realistic! I am not sure as to how children would perceive it, because it teaches children to be selfish. At the end, however, Jonathan learns to share and make the most out of having a baby brother. I feel as if many children can relate to this book, no matter what their family situation consists of.
January 8, 2026
Jonathon, the first born, now has to share the limelight with his baby brother Daniel "barfburger" and doesn't see what the big fuss is all about from his parents and other relatives. Sibling rivalry at its best in this humorous tale, that will bring a smile to anyone who has been an older sibling, or anyone who has an older sibling.
November 7, 2012
Love Danziger's work for older children, and Karas is incredibly expressive with his illustrations. Together they are a dream team! LOVE the disdainful looks on the main characters face throughout. The ending left something to be desired, but it's overall good.
January 21, 2016
A big brother is less than enamored at the arrival of his little brother and comes up with all sorts of disparaging names to call him (under his breath of course). But, as is the way, he eventually comes around and ends up liking his baby brother.
Illustrations are average.
Illustrations are average.
February 20, 2025
A little boy is very jealous when his little baby brother is born. He feels that his brother has taken his place and he is struggling with his feelings about that. There is name calling and some sibling rivalry between some other children in this story. Nicely illustrated.
June 8, 2009
Hysterical! Also very realistic. You can almost feel what Jonathan is going through when his new baby brother comes home! - Sharon-
November 3, 2009
My daughter loves this book! It is so funny and describes how she feels about the new baby. Now she goes around saying "barfburger baby" and "Grrr".
June 28, 2010
I like the throw up part.
March 16, 2011
Lively text accompanied by sweet illustrations make this a fun book to read for the new big brother. Captured the feelings so well.
September 21, 2012
Long winded, but swell.
April 27, 2013
This is a good book to share especially if a new family member is about to arrive or just arrived. Shares the trials of a new family addition and how to adapt.
November 19, 2015
New Baby/Jealousy
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May 9, 2019This is an amazing book about the jealousy of having a new baby in the family. When the young boy sees all the attention the bay is getting, he gets very upset. That is until his older cousin comes over and creates the Bib brother club. After that, the little boy views his brother a little differently!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews