BABY BROTHER

Mia’s letter to Grandma describes behavioral changes in her pet cat, Stripe, as she grows heavy in the belly, refuses her own food, has trouble jumping as before, boldly threatens the neighbor’s large, scary dog and searches for a special new hideaway. Drawings parallel Mia’s news about her cat, reflecting her mother’s pregnancy and the impending new baby as mother goes about her household chores and routine. Soft watercolor-pen-and-ink drawings in subdued shades against an ivory background illustrate the activity of the two moms, culminating with the simultaneous arrival of kittens—“five little stripes” and a baby brother. Mia’s positive, self-assured attitude toward the exciting family event will be an encouraging example to new older siblings. Succinct and creatively simple. (Picture book. 2-5)