Brothers Can Be Good Too (I Want a Sister - Tony Ross)

Member Name: belfin

Product:	I Want a Sister - Tony Ross
Date:	11/08/09 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Shows how a family gets ready for a new arrival.

Disadvantages: none

***Background***

This is one of the earlier books in this popular Little Princess series. As well as an extensive list of books, this lovable but stubborn character also appears on television where Jane Horrocks and Julian Clary provide the voices.

***The Story***

We start in this book with some news in the palace.

"'There's going to be someone new in our family,' said the Queen.

'Oh goody!' said the Little Princess. 'We're going to get a dog.'"

The King explains, much to the cat's relief, that the new member isn't a dog, but a baby. The Little Princess is very excited and says she would love a sister. The doctor explains that you can't choose and that it may be a brother but the Little Princess is determined that a sister is all she wants.

Members of the household all tell her that brothers can be just as much fun as sisters and finally the Queen goes off to have the baby. Her cousin asks her what she'll do if it's a brother and she tells him she'll put it in the dustbin.

When the King and Queen bring the new baby home, the Little Princess coos over the baby saying that she's lovely and is shocked when she is told that 'she' is really a 'he'.

The King and Queen explain that they already have a beautiful Little Princess and this cheers her up.

The book ends with the Little Princess offering to give her new brother the potty she no longer needs.

***The Illustrations***

Tony Ross, who seems to have a knack for getting the expressions on the characters' faces just right, draws the pictures in all of the books in the series. The drawings are all shown in boxes with the text underneath and with the white border of the page, they really stand out.

***My Thoughts***

Babies are something that has already been discussed by my son and there was a time when he was practically begging for a baby brother because he already had two older sisters. Luckily that phase has passed as I have no intention of going down the baby route again but that didn't stop him enjoying this book.

He should really be outgrowing this type of book but there is something about this naughty little girl that keeps him coming back to them when we visit the library. At seven he is more than capable of reading them himself now and I do often hear him laugh as he reads this story. It is also a fun one for bedtime because it isn't too long and he likes to read his father or I a book at night now before he settles down to sleep.

What I love about this character is that although she sometimes seems a bit demanding, she doesn't often get her own way and this teaches children that sometimes they just have to go along with what happens. No matter how important a child thinks they are, it's important to have a reminder that other people have to come into the equation.

I will be a little bit sad when this character disappears from our household because this series has not only kept my son amused but I find it really funny too. The simple illustrations and fun to read stories have been a joy to share.

***Other Titles In This Series***

I Want My Potty
I Want A Cat
I Want A Present
I Want My Tooth
I Want My Dummy
I Want To Be
I Want My Dinner
I Want My Light On
I Want To Go Home
I Don't Want To Go To Bed
I Don't Want To Go To Hospital
Wash Your Hands
I Want My Mum
I Want A Friend

Pets Board Book
Weather Board Book
Shapes Board Book
Bedtime Board Book


***Other Info***

This paperback is available for the publishing price of £5.99 but is available from Amazon for only £4.49.

ISBN No. 0006647308

Summary: Lovely story in this series.