My New Baby and Me: A First Year Record Book for Big Brothers and Sisters

"I bought this book because I like the idea of having a record book for the older sibling. Unfortunately, it did not say in the description or reviews that it was meant for children ages 3 and older. I then thought I would give it to friends who have an older child and are expecting or have a very young baby. But even for older children I think that many of the activities and particularly the jokes are not appropriate. E.g. it starts with a double page titled: some things about me with name, age etc and then opposite the subtitle: These are some of the things I can do and the following tickboxes: Say the alphabet, ride a tricycle, ride a camel, bounce a ball _______times, get an allowance (!) (...), rope a zebra.... whistle, do a puzzle with ___ pieces, go to school, fly to the moon... (there are a few more sensible one's too, that I have left out)

Under the heading: some things about my family the child can tick:
we live in a house, cave, on a farm, on a boat, in an apartment, in a zoo and next to it: we have a dog, cat, gerbil, alligator, fish, new baby...
Maybe it's my lack of humour but I don't think it's the nicest place to first mention the baby.

There are some nice things too, like places to draw or put photos, like mum just before she had the baby, the family, baby and sibling. I also liked the spaces for tracing the sibling's or the baby's hands and feet.

What also annoyed me though were the milestones which basically expect that baby to walk within the first year and there are tickboxes of what baby eats at the age of 3 months (okay, milk is one of the boxes but still). On the other hand there is no mention of first words ( Maybe I'm a bit sensitive on the walking issue because my son was a late walker but started speaking very early).

In the 12 months - double page the tickboxes are: my baby walks holding my hand, hoding on to furniture, holding a fish, in a walker, in a spacesuit or alone and then, My baby can walk or crawl upstairs/downstairs, tie shoelaces, untie shoelaces and my baby can walk all the way from ____ to ____. (Not my idea of a good snapshot of the milestones reached by 12 months).

The last page is titled 'Next Year' and there are tickboxes under the title 'I bet my baby will learn how to do' e.g. throw a ball, fly, play checkers, drive a car, say "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers", run as fast as I do (and others)...

The book is also full of Americanisms (penny loafers, dollar loafers, cowboy boots) and repeatedly refers to jars of peanut butter (not a problem but also something my son has not seen, yet).

Sorry I have typed this review down in a rush and that it's so disorganised but I hope it gives prospective buyers a better insight than I had before buying this book. I just think it would not have been appropriate for my first born's development and it's also not my style."
~ Written on 2008-05-24

"Although the content of the book is good, enabling an older sibling to take the reigns when putting together a record book (which new mothers don't often have the time or energy to do 2nd or 3rd time around).
But I was disappointed that I could not use the book as a gift to a black family (which was why I bought it) because the illustrations are all of caucasian babies and parents and siblings.
Very disappointing."
~ Written on 2007-07-19

"I found this book whilst looking for a record book for my second child and I am so glad I did. My four year old daughter loves it and is always asking if we need to add more things to it. It is really well laid out and fun to do. The book starts off with things about the older child, eg I can count to ......, my favourite song is etc then goes on to cover things about both children eg the colour of my eyes are ....., my baby's eyes are ......, etc. I highly recommend it."
~ Written on 2007-04-13

"I first found this book when we were about to have our second child 3 years ago. My oldest son couldn't wait to fill out each page. Even when Mom would forget, he would always remind me that it was time to fill in for 3 mos, 6 mos etc. There are so many things to fill out about the older sibling that the book is really a keepsake about them too. In a time that an older sibling might be resenting the new baby, this is the perfect book. I have since purchased one for my two sons to fill out about their new baby sister. And it is a must for all my friends having their second babies! I make sure they all have their own copies too!

IT'S THE BEST!!!!"
~ Written on 1998-04-30