WHAT A GOOD BIG BROTHER!

There are plenty of books for newly crowned big brothers and sisters out there, but most assume an underlying jealousy at their heart. In this portrait of a gentle preschooler and his family trying to comfort his colicky baby sister, that element is sweetly absent. Cameron listens patiently to his sister’s cries as she is changed, nursed and rocked through her misery. He periodically asks why his sister is crying and his parents give different answers, but in the end admit they don’t know. Cameron decides to rub her tummy. The baby stops crying. Cameron then kisses her toes and she graces her family with her first smile. “What a good big brother!” says his mother—the book’s refrain. Johnson and Fancher provide intimate, funky illustrations with a swooping mix of realistic images against colorful designs (that incorporate several waaaaaaaa’s in the background, as well as the occasional wipe wipe and kiss kiss). A pleasing model for any new older sibling, jealous or not. (Picture book. 3-6)