February 1, 2018
Toddler-PreS-Chick is annoyed with his new baby brother in this sequel to The Runaway Egg. Everyone told chick that he would like having a new baby brother, but so far he doesn't agree. The little chick follows him everywhere, is not good at playing games, and cries all the time. One day, the big Chick accidentally stays out too late and has to walk home in the dark. Luckily, baby brother is there to walk home with him. The sweet and simple illustrations do not provide any additional details to the text. This topic has been approached by many others and this title adds nothing new. VERDICT A cute addition but libraries can easily pass on this one if their sibling-themed shelves are getting crowded.-Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2017
Chick isn't thrilled that his new baby brother is always around...until he is. When his baby brother hatches, Chick is unimpressed. The baby can't play any of his favorite games, and he always seems to follow him around. "He loves you and just wants to be with his big brother," explains Mama Hen. Scowling Chick is unmoved by this statement, not to mention by his sibling's cuteness. This is heightened immeasurably by Hudson's illustration of the diaperlike bottom half of the eggshell from which Baby Brother has partially hatched; he wears it, orange legs protruding, throughout the story. When Chick runs off into the woods for a tree-climbing adventure, Baby Brother toddles forth in dogged pursuit. Chick ignores him and his struggles to keep up, eventually forgetting he's even there. But when darkness falls, a somewhat scary beginning to his walk home ends up making him grateful for Baby Brother's sudden reappearance. Throughout, vibrant colors dominate the barnyard and countryside scenes, lending a ready-for-animation feel to the story. Make room in the nest for this new new-baby book. (Picture book. 2-5)
COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.