Julius, the Baby of the World

For children who are facing the arrival of a new sibling, Julius, the Baby of the World makes for great biblio-therapy. At first, big sister Lilly thought it might be fun to have a new baby in the family. But when her parents repeatedly coo, “Julius is the baby of world,” Lilly’s mouse hackles begin to rise. Soon the jealousy is too much for her, and she embarks on a rejection campaign that is hysterically funny, but also comforting for siblings who probably feel just as much resentment but would never go to Lilly’s extremes. Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse refuses to shy away from the truly powerful and sometimes dark feelings of children. Through bright watercolors and handwritten, cartoon-style dialogue, Henkes relishes Lilly’s wickedness. For example, she delights in insulting her oblivious baby brother: “If you were a food, you’d be a raisin,” she whispers into his crib. “If you were a number you’d be zero.” When she paints an elaborate family portrait, she leaves Julius out. When she throws a tea party, guess which baby doesn’t get an invitation? But when a visiting cousin starts insulting baby Julius, we discover that the flip side of Lilly’s intense jealousy is an even more powerful and lasting loyalty. ALA Notable Book, ALA Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List, Parent’s Choice Honor for Literature. (Baby to Preschool) –Gail Hudson