When the New Baby Comes, I'm Moving Out

by Martha Alexander

Book Overview

'Why are you painting my old high chair?' 'I'm getting it ready for the new baby.' 'The new baby! But that's my high chair. And my crib--you're going to paint that too?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803795637
• ISBN13: 9780803795631
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 5.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Ignoring Negative Feelings Doesn't Banish Them

I suppose it depends how old the older sibling is but our four year old son was very verbal about his distress at the coming event. This book gave him permission to have negative feelings. He knew he wasn't really going to put me in a trash can and beat it! He asked us to read the book over and over. When his sister was born, he proudly wore his "I'm the big brother" shirt and charged into the hospital room asking, "Where's my baby?" Was it the book that made the difference? I don't know. But I am convinced that we do our children more harm than good by ignoring them or sushing them when they are confident enough in our love to tell us about their distress.

Recommended for children whose parents want to prepare them for the arrival of a new baby in the fam

Young Oliver is angry. His mother is giving away his high char and crib to the new baby that is coming to live with them. Oliver can't even sit on his mom's lap because her tummy has grown too big. Oliver is so angry he feels like throwing his mom in the garbage can, or running away and living in his tree house. There is just no room for a new baby in his life. But when momma reminds him that there are perks to being a big brother, Oliver decides to stick around and share his wisdom with the new baby. Originally published in 1979 and featuring recolored art by author/illustrator Martha Alexander, When The New Baby Comes, I'm Moving Out is an ideal book which is enthusiastically recommended for children whose parents want to prepare them for the arrival of a new baby in the family.

Outstanding way for children to experience negative feelings

When mom is about to have a new baby, it is natural for children to feel jealous, upset, insecure. It is difficult for a young child to articulate or understand these feelings. This book enables a child to see that others have negative feelings also, that it is acceptable to voice those feelings, and that mom understands. It is better for children to voice their negative feelings than to stuff those thoughts inside and act on them later. Martha Alexander has written a wonderful story which allows children and parents to recognize themselves in the characters. My children love this book and want to read it over and over again, as will yours.

funny, yet sensitive

This is a humorous look at how a young boy responds to his mother's pregnancy. Older children will emphathize with his emotions, and his feelings are dealt with in a sensitive fashion. Not the very best "new baby is coming" book, but funny and a good addition to a collection.