Big Brother Dustin

by Alden R. Carter, Dan Young (Illustrator), Carol S. Carter (Illustrator)

A boy with Down Syndrome helps his parents and grandparents get ready for the birth of his baby sister and chooses the perfect name for her.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Disability

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Mackenzie]

Big Brother Dustin, by Alden R. Carter, Photographs by Dan Young and Carol Carter

Dustin has down syndrome. His mom is expecting a new little girl, and Dustin helps his parents and grandparents get ready for her special arrival. Dustin also picks out his new sisters name, Maryann.

There was no problem in this story, the language in the text was easy to follow and perfect for all ages. This book hinted on a child with a disability, but this book could be read to for any family expecting their second child. It gives real photos of what it is like preparing for a baby and the arrival of a new baby. The pictures captured real emotions, which were excitement, throughout the book.

There we no negative stereotypes related to the little boy with down syndrome. He was valued as the big brother regardless of the disability. There was no cultural diversity, the family was a white family that followed them through the journey of their new family member.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dustin's mom tells him that he's going to have a baby sister, but no one is sure yet what to name her. As the family prepares for the baby's arrival, Dustin puts his mind to work thinking of the perfect name.

Clearly based on a true story, this book is complete with photos featuring iconic late 80s fashion and hairstyles. I liked the plot and the way this book explored what it might be like to be a big brother who happens to have Down syndrome. I'm really curious to know what has happened to this family since this book was published in the 90s.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful for my daughter to be able to read a story featuring someone who looks like her.

[Sami Westrick]

In this book, a little boy with Downs Syndrome, helps his parents and Grandparents prepare for his baby sister, and picks out the perfect name for her. This little boy is so excited to meet his little sister that he helps and is willing to prepare for her arrival. There is a lot of pictures used in the book to describe what is going on. I would rate this book a 4 because it does a great job with detail. it would be great for students to learn that family matters. Helping others is important.

[Corinne Pettry · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Big Brother Dustin" is a book about a young boy with Down Syndrome. Dustin is so excited when he learns that he's going to have a little sister and his parents are letting him give her a name. He eventually over time finds a name that both of his parents love. This book is all about family and everything in between.

I gave this book 5 stars because it displays the emotions that dustin goes through but he finds his own ways to help himself through with the help of both of his parents.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed very much on openlibrary.org. Such a charmer. Dustin is the best big brother ever (except for my eldest, of course ;). And the name he comes up with is perfect.

I love the idea of the hospital having a class on How to be a big brother/sister. I never heard of such a thing, have you?

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This does show a positive portrayal of a child with Down Syndrome interacting with a variety of family members as well as being educated in how to be a big brother. The photographs that illustrate the story are generally heartwarming and focus on Dustin's connections with other characters. I will say that I was a bit concerned with the reactions of some of the others towards the names he comes up with for his sister. The idea that they made faces at his suggestions, which with the exception of Honeybun are pretty logical, seems rather rude and quite frankly is something I would correct a child on, yet this is the parents. Granted, he eventually comes up with the baby's name on his own, thereby making things better, but it still felt slightly off to me. The end of the book is set up as a scrapbook of images of Dustin interacting with his sister, including encouraging her to stand and removing a toy from her grip that would be too small for her. The book works, but again, some discussion could be useful.

[Zach Rusnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Brother Dustin is a book with a positive portrayal of a boy with down syndrome. The genre of the book is realistic fiction because the charectors are fiction, but it could happen in real life. Dustins mom explains to him that she is having a baby girl and Dustin will be a big brother. Dustin is excited about the opportunity and does a lot to help his parents. The artistic style is realism because the charectors appear the way they would in real life.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book, but with real photos of real people. Dustin has Downs Syndrome and this is his story about becoming a big brother after he and his parents learn that they are going to have a baby girl.

I discovered this book when one of our Children's Librarians handed it to me for a patron project relating to Special Needs kids that I was working on.

Excellent!

[Rebecca Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dustin is a child who has Down Syndrome. His mother tells him that she is going to have a baby, so he will be a big brother. She goes through different books and pictures to help him understand what is happening. This is a good book for children who have disabilities. They can see the different roles that they will take on in life.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dustin, who has downs, knows his Mom is pregnant, but he is confused when he spends a great deal of time with his grandmother. His new sibling finally comes home and Dustin helps with the new baby. He finally feels a part of the family again.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it shows that Dustin, who has downs, still goes through the same emotions when he finds out that his mom is pregnant. This is a book to read to students who have new babies in the house or who will have a new baby. It also could be read to discuss disabilities.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book to use when teaching/interacting with students with disabilities who are expecting younger siblings or have younger siblings. It shows that being a big brother/sister can be very helpful to parents bringing a new baby home.