Baby Brother by Tanneke Wigersma and Nynke Mare Talsma

I sometimes, halfheartedly, sort of, collect—if “collect” is the right word—picture books about cats. They’re not something I actively seek out, but if a cat book strikes me as particularly cute or beautiful, I’ll add it to my growing collection. I’m pretty picky and I don’t even keep very good track of what I have. I wouldn’t consider myself a serious collector, but I do love the picture books I have.

I got Baby Brother by Tanneke Wigersma and Nynke Mare Talsma because of a review I read in School Library Journal:

“Mia writes a letter to her grandmother describing recent changes in the family. She focuses on her cat, whose bulging belly and changes in temperament are most obvious. The child details the preparations for and the birth of Stripe's five kittens and ends the note by saying, By the way, I also have a new baby brother. The unstated story is told through the illustrations. Readers see Mia's pregnant mother in the background as she goes around the house preparing for the arrival of the baby. The text is spare and the subtle pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations tell most of the story. A clever, sweet book to recommend to families with a new sibling on the way.”

This book is really lovely. As I said, I’m picky about the cats, and Stripe the cat here is drawn simply but adorably, as are Stripe’s new kittens. (Plus, Stripe looks just like our cat, Charlie.)

Today it occurred to me that I have two perfect recipients for gifting this book to. Two of my nieces just acquired new baby brothers this year, and it wasn’t until today that I remembered how appropriate this book would be for them. Yay! Baby gifts!

Baby Brother by Tanneke Wigersma and Nynke Mare Talsma

Tags: children's books cats new sibling Tanneke Wigersma Nynke Mare Talsma