Dogs Don't Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kids Know
While most stories about the addition of a younger sibling focus on sibling rivalry and making the older sibling feel special, this clever picture book takes a different approach. A young girl exudes confidence, not jealousy, as she gives her little brother plenty of practical tips on growing up in this “guide” she’s put together. Sure, pulling up a zipper, tying shoes, and feeding the dog look easy, but she admits right away, “It took a lot of time and hard work to get to where I am now.”
Beginning with such baby milestones as drinking milk, crying to communicate, and making others smile, and continuing into the toddler years with advice on talking, brushing teeth, and getting rid of diapers, the big sister blends sensibility (“You’ll spend hours learning how much cups can hold.”) with humor (“And how much they can’t.”). While children will laugh at the spills and mess associated with babies, their caregivers will appreciate the parents in the book, who are often sleepless or busy chasing the exploring toddler.
Author Sarah Tsiang and illustrator Qin Leng previously teamed up in A Flock of Shoes, an imaginative tale about where shoes go in the off-season. Once again, Leng’s expressive watercolor illustrations, rendered in a cartoon-style, add to the merriment of the amusing text. Readers who enjoyed the adorable puppy in the duo’s first book will be thrilled to watch the antics of another puppy that adds to the comic relief.
As the older sister explains how her little brother will mature, she also demonstrates her own self-assurance and her parents’ unconditional love. The best lesson she teaches him is that despite accidents, tantrums, and occasional disobedience, “mad goes away but love stays.” Parents who want their children to focus on the special bond between siblings rather than the inconveniences of less lap time and shared toys will want to read this heartening story to both big and little siblings—together.
Reviewed by
Angela Leeper
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
