Olive Marshmallow

by Katie Saunders

A sweet, humorous picture book for all new brothers and sisters who are anticipating the arrival of a new sibling.When Archie notices his Mommy's tummy growing, he knows something strange is happening. Not only Mommy's office is suddenly completely pink! Mommy shows Archie a picture of his sister growing in her tummy, but Archie things it looks like an alien. Archie isn't sure that he wants a baby sister. He likes cars and trains and playing cowboys. He knows for sure that he doesn't like fluffy, frilly, and very pink things! But soon, a fluffy, frilly, and very pink bundle arrives at home. It's his new baby sister, Olive! Big brother Archie thinks she looks like a marshmallow, and he wonders if life will ever be the same again.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

Reviews

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book! I've read several picture books that deal with a new baby coming into the family, but this is my favorite. My kids especially loved this book since we are expecting another baby in our own family soon. They have asked me repeatedly when I'm going to the hospital for my sleepover, and if our new baby will look like a fluffy pink marshmallow.

This book works so well for two reasons. The first is that it's written from the point of view of the child and his experience with the new development in their family. The second reason is the beautiful illustrations. The colors and the artwork are very visually appealing.

This is a great book to have on your shelf if you are expecting a baby and want to share the experience with your other young child(ren).

Source: I received a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My blog: Batch of Books

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to recommend this one as a title for kids who are going to become an older sibling. I liked the overall message and Saunders' illustrations are lovely. While I was not thrilled with the gender binaries (everything Archie does or has is blue and "boyish" while Olive's things and Oliver herself are often described as frilly and pink) I do think it has its place. The treatment of the mother was interesting to keep the focus on Archie and Olive but I would have also liked at least one illustration to include the father.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for any little boy about to have a new baby sister.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS.

[Melissa McAlvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls liked this one alot, and it was a cute one. however I am getting a little tired of all the new baby books that feature a little boy who does want a baby sister. Though they are always happy with a sister in the end, it's just getting old. I did appreciate the pictures of both kids playing with all types of toys. And it was fitting for us right now that the Mommy is pregnant again at the end of the book, but I sure hope my belly doesn't look as big as hers. :)

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and fun picture book about getting a sibling! I think the main character's reaction to his sister is probably aspirational, and to be fair, this is a short picture book, because most kids I know aren't so immediately taken with new siblings. Didn't necessarily wow me, but a fun and cute book.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book about a 1st child getting a younger sibling, it relies heavily on gender stereotyping (planes, robots, football vs. pink, fluffy, frilly). It’s a good example of kids being nervous about something new and learning how the reality can actually be pretty great.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about getting a younger sister.

[Kit Feral · Rating 3 out of 5]

this would have been a five star had it not been so obsessed with boy = blue and trucks girl = pink and princess play. gag. otherwise a very cute book and my kids loved the ending.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book about a little boy getting a baby sister. Suddenly Mom's office is pink and has a crib in it, and Mom is... bigger. 😄 A gentle book about becoming an older sibling.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie discovers that he is going to have a little sister soon, but he isn't at all sure that he wants one. But when his mother brings little Olive home, he can't help but fall in love with her. The illustrations here are absolutely adorable with soft pastel hues of blue and pink all over the place. Archie's dislike of pink softens however once he meets his little sister who looks like a 'marshmallow'. I wasn't sure about the distinct boys like blue and girls like pink theme, until the the page where Archie dresses up in pink to play with Olive which I thought was a nice touch. Now that illustration was priceless, especially Archie in the pink dress shoes. Sibling rivalry as a topic never goes out of style and this is a cute way to help children adjust to the changing situation. Although for most children the transition won't be this smooth, this is certainly how most parents would like things to work out. ;) Archie is a sweet big brother to Olive and it's a delight to see them play together.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this could be helpful for families that don't have fathers in them. I didn't like how the boy thought all pink was awful, but by the end of the book he was sharing some of his sister's pink things.

I liked that we never saw the mom's face, because the book wasn't really about her in a way.

There is a slight continuity problem, on the 7th page there is a picture of him behind the stair railing that shows him playing with a pink bunny with wings and a pink tea set and he has JUST discovered that his house is full of fluffy, frilly, pink, things. His mom wouldn't have taken the pic of him the day before and framed it that quick, also he is smiling in the picture in the frame, but frowning while holding the bunny that is in the picture.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming an older sibling can be a big adjustment for kids to make. Olive Marshmallow is a great story about Archie and how he adjusts from feeling slightly forgotten and not thrilled about his the arrival of his new baby sister Olive to actually enjoying being a big brother and having a playmate. Perfect tool for parents who need to help soothe an only child who's about to become an older sibling for the first time.

This book was cute and adorable. My daughter enjoyed it because being an older sibling herself she could relate to Archie's anxiety.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

One word... WHY!! I will never recommend this book as a positive sibling book. There are just to many questions...where is the father...who stays home with Archie.....why does the mom never seem to interact with Archie...etc. Perhaps if there is not a father in the picture this book might just get checked out. Skip it as a new sibling book. I did not feel any warmth or love while reading this.

[Jschofi4 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another addition to the children's literature about siblings, the message is nothing new or overly exciting. I was immensely disappointed in the gender stereotyping throughout. While I liked some of the illustrations (I really enjoyed the pregnant mom), the blatant focus on gender stereotyping makes this a book I wouldn't recommend or read with my own children.

[Stellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the very "girly" and "boyish" gender stereotypes the kids were slotted into. I know the story was meant to center around Archie, but all I could think of when "mommy went on an overnight trip to the hospital" was WHO THE HECK IS HOME WITH HER CHILD?!?

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um... way to play up sexual stereotypes!

If you are happy with your children being placed in the pink/dolly box and the blue/car box; and you want a book that shows absolutely no warmth or family affection, then you might like this not-very-original book. I did not.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to share with young children who are getting a new sibling. It focuses on the feelings of the older sibling(s) and how they adjust to the addition of a new family member. The text is short and sweet (and vague), and the illustrations are fun.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems more to be a discussion about the color differentials of what parents will buy for impending children than for Archie worrying about a sister. But it was rather cute, either way. I did like how by the end, the pink diffuses to both siblings.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story about becoming a big brother of a new baby sister.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

good for sibling theme

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It's cute if you're pregnant and reading it to your own kids. Nice illustrations. Not group reading, though. For display!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madam & I read this; I think she enjoyed all the pink.

[⭒Christie ☽✯➳✯☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Perfect for little ones awaiting a new sibling.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might be a TAD too long for story time, but give it a try anyway

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

good sibling story, but the reliance on stereotypes really bothered me. sisters = frilly and pink, brothers = race cars and trucks

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute! If you're expecting baby #2, this is a great way to explain what is happening to your child.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun addition to the "new baby" book pile - love the repetition of the "fluffy, frilly, very pink things" and a surprise ending.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

don't know why this has been given below average ratings. it was a delight to read!