THE BABY SISTER

A loving look back by dePaola (The Mother of Jesus, 1995, etc.) that draws directly on his childhood in an extended Italian and Irish family. Tommy's mother tells him she has a baby coming, and he hopes for "a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair." But the arrival of baby Maureen is mixed with the pain of missing his mother, in the hospital, and disappointment that Aunt Nell will not be coming to take care of him; instead, strict and imposing Nana is in town. Tommy and Nana become friends while his mother is away; when the baby comes home it is Nana who ensures that Tommy holds her. The story is told with graceful economy, warmly capturing the Italian inflections in Nana's dialogue. As always, dePaola's illustrations convey a wide range of emotions through expressions and gestures, imparting a glowing sense of the security and love that surrounds this large family. (Picture book. 3-6)