The Very Tiny Baby
on Goodreads (66)
What’s inside...
What happens when a baby comes too early? Jacob is not sure he's happy about the new baby. When his new sibling is born prematurely, Jacob discovers a terrible secret: adults can be scared, too. While he has his grandma and his faithful teddy bear, Bob, with him at home while his parents are at the hospital, he still feels alone and full of questions that his Grandma can't answer. Portraying the range of emotions older siblings often have about a new baby, including fear, anger, and resentment, The Very Tiny Baby also touches on the added challenges of preemie health concerns and parents' frequent absences.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the family felt when they found out a new baby was coming?
What are some ways the family prepared for the arrival of the new baby?
Why do you think it's important for siblings to help with a new baby?
How do you think the brother felt throughout the story?
What would you do if you were a big brother or sister like in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to demonstrate different emotions portrayed in the story, particularly focusing on the brother’s perspectives.
Ask the child to guess what might happen next in the story to develop their predictive skills.
Relate the questions back to the child’s own experiences or how they would feel in similar situations, making the discussion more personal and impactful.
Encourage the child to draw a picture of their favorite part of the story, and then discuss what they drew and why they chose that specific part.
Highlight the theme of family and teamwork by discussing with the child how everyone in their family can support and care for each other.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: The story unfolds as a family welcomes a new baby, showcasing the adjustments they make. This depicts how change is a natural part of life.
Real-World Application: Children learn to adapt to new situations, like welcoming a sibling or starting a new school, fostering resilience and flexibility.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The older sibling learns to recognize and respond to the baby’s needs, underscoring the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and attentive to the feelings and needs of others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Family Bonding
Explanation: The book highlights family members coming together to care for the new baby, illustrating the strength of familial bonds.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and contribute to family relationships, strengthening their sense of belonging and security.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Cooperation
Explanation: Characters in the book share responsibilities and items needed for the baby’s care, teaching the value of cooperation and sharing.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of working together and sharing with peers at home, in school, or during play.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The older sibling learns to be patient as the baby requires a lot of attention, demonstrating that patience is crucial when dealing with younger siblings or peers.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of being patient in situations where immediate gratification isn't possible, helping them develop better social skills and relationships.