Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
PW commended Henkes for displaying ``a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem'' in this hilarious and refreshing twist on the familiar theme of a new baby in the family. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
It's the old familiar story of the displaced only child, freshly told and humorously illustrated. Lilly (of Chester's Way Greenwillow, 1988) is a very new, very unhappy big sister. Her parents dote on disgusting little Julius, ``the baby of the world,'' and cannot admire him enough. Lilly, however, annoys them by asking continually when he'll be going away so she can have her room back , and spends more and more time in the ``uncooperative chair.'' When she tries the baby tricks her parents so adore in Julius, they simply remind her to mind her manners. Plainly, there is no longer any justice in the world. Affairs are pretty bleak, until at a large family celebration, a cousin criticizes Julius. Like a tiger, Lilly springs to his defense. Magically, Henkes conveys a world of expressions and a wide range of complex emotions with a mere line or two upon the engaging mousey faces of Lilly and her family. A reassuring, funny book for all young children who suffer from new-sibling syndrome. --Joan McGrath, Education Centre Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
From the Publisher
"A reassuring, funny book for all young children who suffer from new-sibling syndrome." — School Library Journal (starred review)
JUN/JUL 04 - AudioFile
Lilly is the best big sister in the world--that is, until younger brother Julius actually arrives. Then Lilly is not so impressed. "If he were a number, he’d be zero" is how she puts it. Laura Hamilton does a good job with Henkes's astute story of the displaced older sibling, and her characterization of Lilly is appropriately edgy. Lilly isn't kidding around about the indignation she feels, and she uses the word "hate" liberally and with great vigor. But Hamilton's Lilly is also funny and entertaining, which is enough to keep some light in the story until the end, when Lilly experiences a change of heart. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
