Ben's Baby

Foreman's picture book takes a warm, affectionate approach to the subject of a new sibling's arrival, presenting events through the eyes of a child who awaits the baby with eagerness rather than jealousy or fear. Three-year-old Ben has said he wants a baby for his next birthday; he is overjoyed to discover that his wish is about to come true. With a direct text and luminous watercolors, Foreman shows how Ben and his parents prepare for the new baby together, anticipating ways in which it will become part of their lives. Ben's eager participation in his family's changing dynamics will send a reassuring message to children in a similar situation, as will the feeling of familial closeness that prevails even after Ben's brother is born. Throughout, the advent of the baby is portrayed as an occurrence that links them. The unspoken but eloquent message is that there is love enough for all. Ages 3-6. (June)