Guess what?
Today is the last Perfect Picture Book Friday in April!
I do pay attention to the calendar – I really do – but somehow I am always so surprised to discover how quickly the month has flown by!
And now here we are at five minutes to May and I haven’t even decided if I’m going to run the May Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge this year!
I did it in 2020 and 2021, but skipped it last year because I was busy having a new granddaughter. But what do you think? Should we do it again this year? Let me know in the comments! 😊
Now! Let’s have a look at today’s book! I am a fan of Kathy Bostrom’s. You may recall we had her wonderful book WILL YOU BE FRIENDS WITH ME? on PPBF back in June of 2020, and now we have another lovely Perfect Picture Book title from her to share!
Title: Since The Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-To-Love Story In 16 Poems
Written By: Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrated By: Janet Samuel
Publisher: Waterbrook, May 2, 2023, fiction/poetry
Suitable For Ages: 3-7
Themes/Topics: new baby, siblings, family, emotions
text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom 2023, illustration copyright Janet Samuel 2023, Waterbrook
Opening:
“SURPRISE!
“Surprise!” Mama says.
“We are having a baby!”
Nobody asked me.”
Brief Synopsis: [From the publisher] “Since the Baby Came offers a unique take on a timeless topic. The heartfelt and humorous drama unfolds completely in verse, addressing the full range of emotions a young child experiences when a new baby joins the family—from surprise and confusion to feelings of neglect and jealousy to wholehearted tenderness and affection. The book also introduces young children to the playfulness and fun of various forms of poetry, from senryu to villanelle. “
text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom 2023, illustration copyright Janet Samuel 2023, Waterbrook
Links To Resources: the back matter of the book tells about all the different kinds of rhyme used in the book; RESOURCE PAGES (from the publisher)
text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom 2023, illustration copyright Janet Samuel 2023, Waterbrook
Why I Like This Book: Becoming a big sibling is a big adjustment! Children’s emotions can run the gamut from nervousness to excited anticipation to disillusionment and jealousy to feeling lonely and left out. It’s a lot to process. The poems in this book address all those feelings and questions with a lovely mix of tender understanding, wonderment, and humor. About-to-be big siblings will feel comforted and reassured, as well as encouraged to use prayer and remember God’s love for them. The poems are playful, and each of the sixteen is written in a different type of verse. The back matter of the book names all sixteen and explains what they are. The art is a perfect complement to the story, soft and inviting, full of details and with wonderful facial expressions that show emotion beautifully. Perfect for an new or soon-to-be big sibling.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Yes, please Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge this year if you have the time! Thank you for all you do!!!!!
Thank you for your enthusiasm, Elizabeth! I will see if I can pull it together! 😊
Such a great idea to introduce different types of poems to kids. Congrats on the book.
And I’m not sure what the mix n match writing challenge is, but I’m intrigued!
Glad you like the book, Stephanie! And the mix ‘n’ match is lots of fun. Here’s a link to the 2021 Mix ‘n’ Match if you want to see what it’s about:
Mix n Match sounds fun…and a good way to come up with ideas!
What a beautiful book. The illustrations are gorgeous and using so many different poetry forms is impressive! So glad to know of this title.
And YES please, Susanna, if you have the time to give us another Mix ‘n Match contest, I’d love it. It always fires up the old creativity engines and gives me new material to work on.
Either way, happy May!
Isn’t it lovely, Marty? I’m glad you like the look of it. And I will see if I can scrounge up a few minutes from my overflowing Spare Time pile and put them to good use making up mix ‘n’ matches 😊
This looks like such a cute book – I want to read it for the diversity of poetic forms. I love it when authors tell more about the poetry in their back matter. Funny note: At first glance I read the publisher as “Waterbroke” and thought: well, THAT’s appropriate!
Hahaha! You made me laugh out loud, Sue! 🤣
Wow – what a great place for poetry! A really unique approach and the illustrations are full of life!
The illustrations and the poems are beautiful, Robin! Such a nice mix of poems for all different moods/emotions.
I love how poets are using their chops to write narratives like this. So fun while sneaking in a little poetry “education” at the same time. I have to think that all of these wonderful books are helping to keep poetry alive for kids. Great pick! As far as a contest is concerned, I’m sure that if you did it, writers would flock to participate, and if you choose not to, they’ll just have to wait for the Halloweensie. 😄 I would be happy to offer a prize, either way! Cheers!
I know, Jilanne, isn’t it great? This is the second poetry book I’ve had on my blog in the last couple weeks, and I especially like how this one has back matter that explains the different kinds of poems. Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is just for fun – a place to get ideas going, practice writing, share with other writers – no judging which makes it WAY more fun for me 😊 – but I DO love to have some prizes to give out to people who complete the challenge so I will gladly take you up on anything you’d like to offer!
This book looks delightful and I vote YES for Mix & Match. Thanks, Susanna!
If you are able to, I say yes to Mix N’ Match. It was a fun way to stretch our creativity.
What a fabulous book, Susanna. And I’m in love with your energy to offer contest after contest…Mix N’ Match…sounds like fun! I saw that Jilanne offered a prize…if you need them, you have only to ask.
This PB sounds fabulous! I’m sure all of the soon to be “Big Sisters/Brothers” will especially enjoy it!
Casting my vote for Mix and Match 2023 =Yes! 🙂
What a wonderful way to tell a story! It’s like a novel in verse but a picture book! I don’t remember you having a Mix and Match contest before, but if you’re up to the challenge … you have my blessing.