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What a Good Big Brother!


Title: What a Good Big Brother!
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Author: Diane Wright Landolf
Major Awards: None
Age Group: Preschool-Kindergarten

 This story is about a young child named Cameron who has a new baby sister named Sadie. He is very eager to help with taking care of Sadie, including changing her diaper, patting her head when she cries, patting her tummy, and bringing his parents supplies they need for Sadie. There is one issue, though: she cries a lot! Cameron is confused why she is crying and wonders why nothing his parents do will calm her down. Much to Cameron and his parents' surprise, Sadie stops crying whenever Cameron is near. When she will not stop crying, he kisses her toes and pats her, and she always quiets down! In the end, Cameron gets her to smile for the first time in her life. He is a proud big brother!

 I would like to have this book in my classroom! Many young children can relate to Cameron in that they want to help with their younger sibling, but also wonder why they cry a lot. By seeing ways Cameron helps his sister calm down, these children will gain ideas for how to aid their younger siblings, too! 

 I would say that Preschool through Kindergarten would be the best ages for this story. Cameron is around the age of three or four, so children these ages would relate to him the most. It also shows these students the importance of helping others. The story is also a quick and easy read, making it perfect for these young students. 

 In my classroom, we could discuss ways that children can help their parents. Not every child will have a younger sibling to help their parents with, so we could discuss ways that every child can help their parents. I could also have them draw a picture of a time when they helped another person, and discuss the importance of helping others! 
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