Because I'm New

Brad Sneed's 2021 picture book lets the newborn do the talking — a clever narrative move that gives older siblings an honest, disarming look at exactly why the baby can't catch a ball, hold a conversation, or stay awake. What the baby can do, it turns out, is watch, listen, and love — especially the sibling it's been 'waiting a long time to meet.' Kirkus awarded it a starred review, calling it 'a giftable book that is both encouraging and honest,' which nails the tone. The one honest limit is situational: this book is most meaningful when a new baby is actually arriving. Outside that window, the appeal narrows considerably. Within it, though, it's one of the warmer and more honest tools available for preparing a child for a new sibling.