HOW BIG IS BABY NOW?

Cocca-Leffler explains fetal growth by comparing the baby to various plants, animals, and objects, month by month.

Pregnant parents are well versed in comparisons between babies in utero and such measures as a watermelon and basketball, but this board book is geared toward older siblings–to-be. Featuring a cutout window effect, the book begins when Baby is three months. Growth is tracked by month to No. 9, each page featuring a growing silhouette of a pregnant belly and the question “How big is Baby now?” These silhouettes extend further and further into each successive die-cut window so that when the book is closed, there is a rainbow of pregnant bellies visible. Cocca-Leffler does a nice job of choosing items that are familiar to young children, like an egg, a cupcake, and a “jug of milk” (a one-gallon plastic bottle is depicted). Each spread includes several other comparison items, appearing as outline drawings around the page border. Unsurprisingly, the final page marks Baby’s arrival, declaring, “Hello, Baby!” with a simple illustration of a white-presenting sleeping newborn. The colors are bright and appealing, but there are no pictures that include the baby until the very end, which might make the comparisons a bit tough for children to visualize. That said, overall this book makes for a useful tool in helping caregivers explain a new baby’s growth to a young child.

A helpful and practical read for big siblings–to-be.