Just Like You Did

Books can help children get used to the changes which are inevitable with the arrival of a new baby in the family. Tom watches how busy Mum becomes looking after their new arrival – and he gets frustrated and angry at having to wait to go to the park or have a story read. Dad finds him sulking in the baby’s room.

Tom’s mum gives him a cuddle while his dad flicks through a photo album showing Tom as a baby. They point out pictures showing him learning to walk:

‘This baby will grow and stop crying so much, Tom. Just like you did,’ said Dad.

‘He’ll stop needing me so much,’ said Mum. ‘Just like you did.’

And so his parents reassure Tom that though things will never be quite the same again, there’s lots to look forward to and they are still there for him. What I think lets this helpful book down is the use of a slightly larger type size for all the direct speech – it gives some pages an unappealing look and seems completely unnecessary.