A young boy engages in innocent competition with his baby brother, with rewarding results. Brendan’s family is enthralled with his baby brother James’s accomplishments—so Brendan naturally gets into the act. When his Mom calls attention to Baby James’s smile, Brendan calls attention to himself by proving he, too, can smile. When Dad praises Baby James for being smart enough to roll over, Brendan has to show that he can roll over and over and over. When Baby James’s first burp wins Grandma’s praise, Brendan produces his own big burp. By the time Baby James takes his first tottering steps, it is Brendan who alerts everyone and discovers he doesn’t need to compete to get the best possible attention. Chambliss’s charming watercolors showcase Baby James’s development and Brendan’s normal sibling rivalry with gentle humor and affection. Perfect for big brothers and sisters who might be a tad worried that the new baby will outshine them. (Picture book. 4-6)
