Behold! a Baby by Stephanie Watson tackles the age-old theme of sibling rivalry and manages to solve one family’s conflict within the colorful pages of an appealing picture book.
While daddy tells the world about the spectacular and marvelous new baby, big brother does everything he can to deflect the attention back to himself. After all, he already knows how to smile, eat bananas and speak, and he does it with aplomb! But no one seems to notice big brother’s superior nature until the baby blurts out his first incomprehensible babbles, “Diggy, dubby, bubby.” There is only one creature on the planet who is able to comprehend this cryptic and inscrutable piece of alien infant-speak. Yes, now it’s big brother’s turn to shine.
Apparently, “Diggy, dubby, bubby” loosely translates to “I want my big brother.” Big brother’s ability to understand his phenomenal sibling is proclaimed a miracle and lauded by all. The family realizes that the only thing as remarkable as a new baby is a big brother! After the big brother has received the requisite amount of positive feedback for his amazing feat, he becomes his best self. That simple, relatable truth is something every parent and child will be able to understand.
Artist Joyce Ang’s animated and expressive illustrations capture both the angst and joy of raising young children.
Billie B. Little is the Founding Director of Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, a hands-on museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
