Too Small for Honey Cake

by Gillian Lobel, Sebastien Braun (Illustrator)

Little Fox is the center of Daddy's world--that is until Baby Fox is born. Now Baby Fox gets all of Daddy's attention. And what's worse, Daddy lets the new baby sleep in Little Fox's old crib and sings him Little Fox's special lullaby. It doesn't take long for Little Fox to decide he has had quite enough of this appalling new arrangement.

Equal parts tender and hilarious, this irresistible story is certain to resonate with any child who has needed to make room in his family--and in his heart--for a new sibling.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a big sibling story when a new baby is born.
Little Fox is jealous of the new baby. The baby is in his old bed and his father is humming a song to the baby that used to be just for Little Fox. The father is paying attention to the baby instead of playing with Little Fox. Little Fox gets very upset. He makes a mess of the clean laundry, hides under the stairs, and sings a mean song.

But the smell of honey cakes draws him out. Too bad babies are too small for honey cake.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this illustrations for this children's book! The faces of the foxes are so well expressed. Good library find.

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a touching story about how a father still loves his older child and how he might help his older child cope with the birth of a younger sibling.

[Karine Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this is a dad caring for those two little fox and one learns that he won't loose his parents love even if he isn't the only little fox anymore.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lobel, Gillian, and Sebastien Braun. Too Small for Honey Cake. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2006. Print. Ages 6-8. Too Small for Honey Cake has probably been one of my favorite picture books in which I have read so far. I say that because this book is about a little fox and how his parents have another fox, which in turn leaves the Little Fox on the back burner, because there is a new little child in the picture. This makes a big difference because I can totally relate which I why I think that I really enjoyed this book so much. When I was younger I never realized how much younger siblings get more attention then I did. This makes a big difference in the fact that I thought that I wasn't as important anymore just like the little fox in this book. This is why I could relate and liked this book so much, because you are able to relate to stories in which it makes sense to you and that seem to fit your life story.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute illustrations and story. Especially since I have a 6 month old and 2 1/2 year old, who has had to adjust to have a new "baby fox" at his house. We have just started using the 2 year olds old high chair with the baby and it's hard to have a new brother use your old things! I liked how this book teaches about differences, but that they are good and to be celebrated. A good book for teaching older siblings about an upcoming birth in the family.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good father/child relationship book.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the cutest books I've ever read. Great message and story and beautiful illustrations.

[Courtney Baird]

This is a very sweet book that is based on a fox family! Little fox has a new baby fox brother and isn't a fan of the attention he has been getting from daddy fox. Little fox is not used to having to share dads attention and is not adjusting well to the big change. Little fox starts to get in some troube, first by waking the baby being to loud when playing and next by getting the clean clothes all dirty by splashing in the mud. He decides he no longer wants to live there because he doesn't want to have to share his dads attention, he hides under the stairs but feels himself become very lonely. Father fox peaks his head into the room and tells little fox he misses him very much and wishes for him to come out from under the stairs so they can share some cake together. I think this is a good book that you can recommend to parents who have just had a new baby and their older children aren't adjusting very well to the new addition.