No One Ever Said...

NO ONE EVER SAID A

BRAND-NEW BROTHER WOULD BE FUN!

Written by Jane Bomberger Illustrated by Michelle Vasquez

Author Jane Bomberger, Director of Special Projects, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc.

Illustrator Michelle Vasquez, Student, American Academy of Art Chicago, IL

Graphic Designer Joseph Gonzalez, Graphic Designer, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc.

NO ONE EVER SAID A BRAND-NEW BROTHER WOULD BE FUN! Written by Jane Bomberger Illustrations by Michelle Vasquez Graphic Design by Joseph A. Gonzalez We gratefully acknowledge Educational Consultant Cynthia Rucinski for coordinating the activity pages of this book and Dr. Linda L. Elman, Associate Professor of Modern Languages at DePauw University, for providing the Spanish translation in some editions.

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no one ever said a

Brand new Brother

would be fun!

Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc. wishes to acknowledge the following sponsors for supporting this children’s project: centier Bank Munster radiology Group, p. c. nephrology specialists, p. c. northwest Indiana pathology consultants

Weichman & associates, p. c.

Woodhalapenos, Inc.

Kenneth D. reed timm r. rucinski James F. sunderland, James & sons Jewelers

With appreciation, the following people/organizations are recognized:

Donald s. powers and John Mybeck for their professionalism and vision; sherri holt for her enthusiasm, creativity, efficiency and support; and peg szygenda and Minerva pagán for their spontaneous and unwavering enthusiasm and generosity.

Mylinda cane the community hospital auxiliary Gladys cook Friends of the cancer resource centre

cFnI Marketing and corporate communications Department Judie May nancy nye Margo powers

library of congress cataloging-in-publication Data Bomberger, Jane “no one ever said a Brand-new Brother Would Be Fun!”/Jane Bomberger and “no one ever said a Brand-new sister Would Be Fun!”/Jane Bomberger 1. Brothers and sisters - Juvenile fiction. 2. animals - Infancy - Juvenile fiction.

3. Babies - Juvenile fiction. 4. Infants - Juvenile fiction. 5. stories in rhyme.

6. upside-down books - specimens.

IsBn 0-9714601-5-7

st. catherine hospital auxiliary st. Mary Medical center auxiliary Miguel and Irma Vasquez

all rights reserved. except for use in a review, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from community Foundation of northwest Indiana, Inc. copyright © 2008 by community Foundation of northwest Indiana, Inc. c/o 905 ridge road Munster, In 46321 phone: (219) 836-0130 Fax: (219) 836-0159 Internet: www.comhs.org

print management by heuleGordon Inc. printed in china

a portion of the proceeds from this project benefits the community cancer research Foundation.

no one ever said a

Sibling rivalry is as old as mankind. Although positive feelings will often emerge, some degree of jealousy and resentment on the birth of a sibling is inevitable. As a longtime pediatrician and father, I can attest to the many factors that come into play to determine how these sibling conflicts express themselves and then hopefully get resolved.

Jane Bomberger’s latest book, “No One Ever Said a Brand-New Brother/ Sister Would Be Fun!” provides insight as to what a child thinks when thrust into the new role of “older sibling”. Through rhyme, pictures and real-life situations, this book helps both parents and children address the innate sibling conflicts by showing how these tensions are able to be forged into a stronger family unit.

In the spirit of the charming style of the book’s verse: While just one book won’t offer a cure It mitigates sibling rivalry for sure. ~ Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, ScM, FAAP

~ Dawn Curosh First grade teacher, Homan Elementary School Schererville, Indiana

would be fun!

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For the Joy of Reading

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“No One Ever Said a Brand-New Brother Would Be Fun!”

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Hey Big Brothers and Big Sisters!

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Imagine That! Some Activities to Share

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Fun Activities (Now turn your book upside down for one more puzzle, activity answers and another story!)

For the Joy of Reading

I experienced great difficulty learning how to read. In second grade, I did not have an appropriate grasp on reading strategies … did not make eye contact with the teacher … held my breath hoping I would not have to read in front of the class. Placed in an intense reading program, I had a reading teacher who saved my educational life. Her name is Cindi Rucinski, the educational consultant for this book!

This publication – featuring the lovable Mumsy and her puppies Butterscotch and Midnight – helps children become successful lifelong learners, both in adjusting to new siblings and in promoting literacy. Simple ageappropriate activities are a valuable tool to practice reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. It’s all about the development of literacy, reading with your kids, and the growth of a successful, happy child!

Brand new Brother

This book belongs to: My brother’s name is: Hi. My name is Midnight.

What’s yours?

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no one ever said a

Brand New Brother

would be fun!

FOR THE JOY OF

READING How to read to a baby or toddler • Be sensitive to young children’s signals. Reading to a young child is a very different undertaking.

Do not force a child to sit still and listen if he or she is not ready. Take your cues from your child.

• Young children generally do not appreciate actual stories until they are well into their second year.

• Books for very young children contain pictures with no story text. Look at the pictures and talk about them with infants.

• There are times when infants simply like to manipulate books with their hands or chew or suck on them. Babies of six or seven months surely will do just that. Later on, they probably will enjoy looking at the book instead of chewing on it.

• While some children between 12-18 months sit quietly on a lap for extended periods of time and look at books, many infants enjoy books for a brief few minutes and return for several such episodes over a period of time.

• Babies between 12-18 months usually have the longest attention span for books preceding naps or bedtime.

• Take your child’s lead. Be sensitive, patient and understanding if he or she wants to stop reading.

Guidelines for reading with young children – how, when and where • Read to a young child when you are in the mood to do so. If you are having a bad day or have disturbing things on your mind, your reading will be affected.

• Choose a reading place in your home that is comfortable for you and your child such as a chair or a sofa.

• Choose a quiet place that is free from interruptions. Turn off the television!

• Consider reading in such places as the doctor’s office, in a park, on a bus, in an airport or a car.

• Don’t expect a book to quiet a fussy or rambunctious child. The child must be ready to hear a story.

• Have a special reading routine established. This helps children know when to expect a story.

• Position the child so pictures can be easily seen. Curious children want to see and this encourages dialogue with an adult.

• Allow your child to assist you in the reading experience. Have a child turn the pages of a book when it is time.

• Point to and identify things in the pictures as you read. As children become older, encourage them to do the same.

• React positively to a child’s attempts to name objects, turn pages or verbalize something.

Positive reinforcement is important.

• Use your voice as a tool to make reading exciting and interesting.

• Be responsive to your child.

This should be an enjoyable time for adult and child alike! If both child and adult are not enjoying the experience – STOP.

no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

no one ever said a brand-new brother would be fun.

Mom and Dad were glad to have a healthy baby son.

But no one got permission from me for him to come and stay.

I wanted things to be the same but it all changed one day.

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no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

It all began when Mom got big, so big around her middle. the baby safe and warm in there? he bothered me a little.

I liked the things I had already – a frog, dog, dad and mother so it would be too much, I thought, to add a baby brother.

no one ever said a

Brand new-Brother

would be fun!

I went to Mom to ask about what changes there might be, But since she was so big, I couldn’t climb up on her knee. “oh honey,” she said, “I have some room; it’s right here by my side.

“We both fit on the living room couch – I hope I’m not that wide!”

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no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

“I’m tired,” she said. “I’m sleepy, and I have some indigestion, But I’m glad to talk with you about your brand-new baby questions.”

Before I could ask anything, my mom began to snooze.

I tiptoed out to ask my frog if she might have some clues.

no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

“aBout the BaBY,” I began, “I know I should be fair, “But what about my bed, my toys? Will I have to share?

“I love you frog – I share you, too? and share my mom and dad?

“Maybe I’ll sleep and live with you on your lily pad.”

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no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

“remember this – your bed’s for you. My lily pad’s too small.

“Your bed’s too big for baby. his crib’ll be down the hall.

“But yes, you will share some things,” froggie croaked to me, “and look – I’m sharing my space – I just had polliwogs three!”

no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

“Yipe!” I said, “your polliwogs, they swim and make be dizzy!

“I’ll come back some other time. I see you’re pretty busy.” next I called for Mumsy – my dog knows what to say. “aBout the BaBY,” I began, “will he be in the way?”

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no one ever said a

Brand-new Brother

would be fun!

“I don’t think so,” Mumsy woofed. “he’ll be a fun addition.

“We’ll laugh if he drops food to me and decorates the kitchen.”

Just then Mom awakened and felt some pains so fast. “the baby’s on the way!” she said, as she waddled past.