15 Things Not to Do with a Baby - Hardcover

Margaret McAllister is an award-winning author who comes from the north-east of England. Before writing full-time she taught drama and dance, cleaned churches and worked in a retreat house. She is married to a minister and has three grown-up children. This is her first book for Frances Lincoln. Holly Sterling was born in Dublin and grew up in southern England. She studied Illustration and Design at the University of Sunderland, and is currently studying for an MFA in Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She was Highly Commended for the Macmillan Illustration Prize in 2013, and winner of the Seven Stories/Frances Lincoln Illustration Competition in 2012. Holly also competes for her country in karate; she is a double National Champion and Gold and Bronze medallist from the WSKA World Championships. She lives near Sunderland. '15 Things Not to do with a Baby' was her first published picture book. Her second book, 'Hiccups!', will be published by Frances Lincoln in 2016.

Toddler-PreS—There are many things not to do with a new baby, and McAllister blends the nonsensical with the everyday to create a gem for new older siblings. Perhaps cuddling with an octopus might not be the best idea or losing the baby in the garden. But readers also learn about some of the wonderful things they can do—kiss, love, and hug, just to name a few. Charming illustrations illuminate the text and create an adorable sense of kinship between the siblings from the get-go. Overall, a fun and cheerful story about new milestones in life that young readers will relate to and enjoy. VERDICT A wonderful selection for parenting collections or collections lacking in positive sibling stories.—Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI