Ma! There's Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting (Picture Book)
What’s inside...
This hilarious picture book by Barbara Park depicts the life of a precocious baby who is bored in his mother's womb. He dreams of playing on the swingset, meeting other boys and girls, and canoeing. Stuck at the end of the umbilical cord, he spends his time listening to the tick-tock of his mother's heart as he eagerly waits for the day he can finally come out to play.
Age
0-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Baby-In-Waiting
Ma
Discussion points
What do you think the baby in the book would like to play with?
Why do you think the baby is sending a message to its mom?
How do you feel when you have to wait for something exciting?
What are some fun activities the baby might enjoy doing inside the tummy?
Can you imagine what it's like to be a baby waiting to be born?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle and curious tone when asking questions to make your child feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts.
Relate the baby’s feelings in the book to a time your child had to wait for something important, enhancing empathy and understanding.
Encourage your child to draw or act out different activities they think a baby might enjoy doing before they are born.
After reading, spend some time discussing your child's own baby pictures or stories about when they were in mommy’s tummy to deepen the connection with the book's theme.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Through the baby's humorous waiting for birth, the story highlights the virtue of patience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that some experiences, like birthdays or holidays, are worth waiting for and that patience often makes the outcome more rewarding.
Example Lesson: Imagination
Explanation: The baby imagines all the possibilities of the outside world while in the mother’s womb.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their imagination to explore and visualize scenarios, enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: By hearing the baby’s feelings and thoughts inside the womb, children can learn to consider other people's perspectives and feelings.
Real-World Application: Empathy encourages children to understand and be sensitive to the emotions of family, friends, and even people they’ve just met.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The baby expresses curiosity about life outside the womb.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore and learn about the world around them, fostering a love for discovery and learning.
Example Lesson: Bonding with Family
Explanation: The narrative sets the stage for the baby’s impending arrival and the excitement of family members.
Real-World Application: It emphasizes the importance of family connections and can help children value and look forward to family bonding and shared experiences.