BENNY AND BEAUTIFUL BABY DELILAH

Van Leeuwen visits a familiar theme in this latest take on the havoc a new baby brings to a household and the attendant feelings of the older child. Benny is your typical new sibling, upset over being displaced as the family’s one and only and underwhelmed by the reality of his baby sister. Following a tried and true format, Benny’s initial unhappiness ultimately turns to affection when he feels instrumental in making his baby sister happy. That being said, fellow new siblings will appreciate the honest yet sympathetic portrayal of Benny’s—and their—experience and feel relieved that these feelings are typical. What will especially appeal to young readers is Van Leeuwen’s wry handling of this earliest sibling rivalry; particularly amusing is the little ditty Benny sings to his sister on the sly. Pham keeps the illustrations bright and cheerful; even at his most disgruntled Benny is still appealing. A fresh addition to the genre. (Picture book. 4-8)