BABIES DON’T EAT PIZZA

Yet another title to add to the already oversaturated new baby brother/new baby sister market. The hook? A systematic examination of every possible fact a new sibling should know about the incoming little sib, all in a svelte 32 pages. By discussing everything from baby behavior to how a brother or sister can help parents out, the book hopes to prepare children as thoroughly as possible for the tiny newcomer on both a factual and emotional level. The author has taught “sibling preparation” classes for years and knows whereof she speaks. Yet one can’t help but wonder if this is merely a more exacting version of the similarly named Babies Can’t Eat Kimchee, by Nancy Patz, illustrated by Susan L. Roth (2006). There is undoubtedly a glut of new-baby books out there, and though it’s perfectly nice, Danzig’s prose and Tilley’s serviceable illustrations just don’t have enough pizazz to separate this one from the pack. Parenting tips on further sibling preparation appear at the end of the book. (Picture book. 4-8)