Newbies

by Peter Catalanotto

Luke finds out that family can be fantastic just the way it is in this witty picture book from the author-illustrator of Matthew ABCs and Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All.

Luke is used to having Mom and Dad all to himself, to play soccer and build forts with. But now that they are expecting a new baby, they always are too tired or too busy to play. So Luke dreams of having new parents to play with—the newbies!

His new parents have all the time in the world for Luke, but some things just aren’t quite right...like the way new Dad’s pancakes are different, and how new Mom doesn’t cut sandwiches into triangles. Getting all the attention is wonderful, but Luke wonders if perhaps his original parents are still the best parents for him!

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2015

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is odd. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think there were places it missed the mark. A young boy imagines what life would be like if he had new, "replacement" parents. There is certainly a lot of fodder for discussion here, but I think where it felt lacking to me was the impetus for how the young boy imagines his life with a new family. It was very strange and felt inauthentic.

[Dannon Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book about a child getting a new sibling. It’s not one I would read to my class but it would be good for my classroom library so I could recommend it to students who may be about to become an older sibling. It might be confusing for really young kids because it talks about getting a new mommy and daddy so I would be cautious of that.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy is getting a new baby brother, and thinks his parents don't have time for him. So he gets new "perfect" parents, but they don't do things that are fun that his real parents do so he decides to return to his real parents.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luke is feeling a little left out when Mom and Dad are busy preparing for the new baby. Then two strangers arrive at the front door with a pamphlet for New Parents. Luke begins to imagine what life might be like with new parents. They could play with him but they wouldn’t understand him or his history. Instead, Luke decides to help Dad paint the baby’s nursery after he gives Mom breakfast in bed.
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...

[Lizzie]

Worried about the arrival of a new sibling, a boy day fantasizes about a set of new parents. An elaborate dream sequence takes up much of the book and they do match those dreamy illustrations but for me it crossed the line into unsettling.
I also have trouble believing that any medical professional would ever drop anything ever to a personal home much less a pamphlet about being a new parent.

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a creepy parallel-universe-meets-picture-book. Perhaps it portrays the innocence and confusion some kids face regarding familial changes, especially welcoming a new baby into the house, but it was just confusing and weird.

[The Library Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very didactic and surprisingly unemotional for a book that is supposed to be about new baby jealousy. And the child as depicted looks as if he is elementary school age, well past the severe "siblingitis" stage of life.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young boy longing for complete attention of his parents who are expecting a new baby imagines replacement parents.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon learning a new child is on the way, a boy imagines he has a new set of parents and discovers he likes his old, familiar ones best. Watercolor illustrations. Pretty bland.

[ReadingWench · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Odd book.

[Nativida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange book, reminded me a little of Coraline.

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book when I first saw it, however, as I started reading I was intrigued and then before you know it I was hooked. Great book for a family expecting a second baby!

[Kelly Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, but I feel that the story would not hold a child's attention for very long.

[Alyx Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are well illustrated but the story is incoherent and strange
Age: Preschool
ECRR: Read