Bibliographical information:

Henkes, Hevin. Julius, the Baby of the World. New York: Harper Trophy, 1995.

Brief summary:

Lilly's parents think that new baby Julius is absolutely spectacular--"the baby of the world." Lilly is much less impressed. She thinks he's annoying, disgusting, and stinky. But when a cousin arrives and says exactly what Lilly's been thinking, she bristles at attacks on her baby.

Comments:

Henkes paints Lilly's shifting response to her brother, from her imaginings of big sisterhood before his birth to the messy reality of the real experience. Her disappointment--and the insults in which she expresses it--are funny but also realistic. This would be a very good gift for a child with a new sibling.

Grade/Age level:

Ages 3-8

Cautions:

--Lisa Gordis

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