I Was Born to Be a Sister

"The Michels-Gualtieri siblings have a new baby in the house! These books (with a sing-along CD) depict their journey from being Akaela and Zaydek to being a big sister and a big brother. It’s not always easy, but they work it out to everyone’s happiness. Excellent for children about to become "big.""

-James Cox
Midwest Book Review, April 2004

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"Written by a sixth-grade girl, and featuring an audio CD of the story and original songs for brothers and sisters to sing, I Was Born To Be A Sister is a charming and informative picture book about learning to adapt to and cherish the presence of a new sibling in the family household. Covering the ups and downs of getting along, teaching new things, and the wonder of reliving things through younger eyes, I Was Born To Be A Sister is very highly recommended reading --especially for children ages 3 to 7 whose families are anticipating the arrival of another child."

-Janet Jacobsen
Child Center, Springfield, SD

"From the time the new baby brother joins the family, his older sister watches, plays, and enjoys the responsibility. However, there are times when her feelings are ambivalent. By the time he is a toddler, the two siblings have developed a friendship. The sister knows that it is a big job to be a big sister. The illustrations by Marcy Dunn Ramsey capture the humorous situations of these two siblings. A song for sisters with keyboard and guitar accompaniment is on the last page. The time span from baby to toddler offers a larger perspective of family relationships than most new baby books. It will be useful for family discussions."

"What it is like to be the big sister? This little story is perfect in how it relates to the readers, and shows them how to cope with a younger sibling coming home from the hospital. The author and illustrator did a great job of showing the different feeling of pride, joy, changing to jealousy, and hate at being the big sister. But even with all these feelings through the years, the bond of sister and brother grows stronger.
This story rates 5 hearts."

-Jane Deskis, Heartland Reviews

"Preparing for a new baby is one thing, but it's a different challenge to address the concerns of the baby brother or sister who has been around for a while. Written by a sixth-grade girl, I Was Born To Be A Sister is an autobiographical story. It describes the author's journey from her initial delight at the baby brother's birth, to her dismay at his sometimes frustrating toddler behavior, to her happiness as she realizes how he looks up to her and the responsibility that implies.

I Was Born To Be A Sister would be especially appropriate for slightly older children frustrated with a toddler sibling. The illustrations are delightful and astute readers will enjoy looking for subtle references to breastfeeding, such as the magazine the mother is reading, the nursing mother at the swimming pool, or the nursing fashions worn by the mother. Additionally, follow-up activities and a song can be found at the publisher's Web site, cited on the book's cover."

-New Beginnings Jan/Feb 2003, Monthly Magazine of La Leche League

"A young narrator decides that being a big sister is fun. She enoys bathing her baby brother; teaching him how to eat and clapping his feet to make him smile. However, once he starts to get in her way, she asks if he can be sent back...Realistic illustrations depict a family engaging in everyday activities such as preparing food, celebrating a birthday, and reading. The child's expressions of emotions are appropriate."

-School Library Journal

"Written by the author when she was an upper elementary student of about ten, this book extols the virtues of being a big sister: making her baby brother smile, rocking and singing to him, and playing in the bathtub. But as her brother moves into toddlerhood, the joys are replaced somewhat by annoying behaviors like crashing, screaming, and breaking her toys. However, when she goes to school, he eagerly greets her return, helps with school projects, and begins to appreciate and emulate her many talents. He even shares his red candies with her. Ramsey’s cheerful paintings show family life as it is with lots of details of a child’s life. Just right for talking about being a sister and encouragement to those embarking on this complex but rewarding role for the first time."

-Susan Hepler, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

"Akaela Michels-Gualtieri tells the story of siblings everywhere in I Was Born To Be A Sister. At first the young narrator loves taking care of her baby brother, but then he starts walking, talking, screaming, and knoccking over her things. With humor and honesty, Michels-Gualtieri explores the narrator's mixed feelings about her role, having her conclude that, "It's a big job, but then I'm a big sister." Clearly, the author,a Washington sixth grader and sister to two, speaks from experience. Art by acclaimed local illustrator Marcy Dunn Ramsey highlights the sibling tie, sometimes frayed, but always strong."

-Washington Parent, February 2002

"The narrator of this story is thrilled when her parents bring home a new baby brother from the hospital. She loves singing to him, playing with him, and teaching him to slurp spaghetti. But as he gets a little older and starts destroying her toys and interfering with her life, some of the joy wears off, and she's less enamored: "Maybe he can move into his own apartment." ....The emotions ring true....Best is the watercolor artwork, which has solid child appeal."

-Marta Segal, Booklist

 

"I received I Was Born to Be a Sister this past week while we were on vacation and opened it for my kids as soon as I saw it. They love it! My 7-year old reads it to her sister and they love to sing the song. The pictures and storyline are what made me decide to buy it in the first place and it has met my expectations. This is a book we’ll be sharing with our friends!"

-Jodie Frederick, MD

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