THE BIG SIBLING GETAWAY

Cassie has a new baby brother and needs to get away from all the crying.

When the new baby arrives, the wailing and sobbing start—and never stop. Cassie decides she needs a break and finds an empty box to hide in. When she can still hear the crying, her box becomes a car and takes her to the beach. The wailing continues, and the box becomes a small sailboat taking her far across the sea. The box then becomes a hot air balloon, and Cassie soars with the birds. Finally, when even that isn’t far enough, the box becomes a rocket, and she blasts off to somewhere completely silent. But being alone might not be as wonderful as Cassie expected it to be. This is a grand, funny, and imaginative adventure of a beleaguered child trying to find an escape. Even though it is about a new baby, this book has appeal for all children who just need to get away from something that is bothering them. Cassie provides readers with an excellent model of a child who helps herself to take a break from a stressful environment to find calm. The charming illustrations add to the adventure and humor. There are big, bold examples of onomatopoeia, fostering phonemic awareness. Cassie and the baby have light brown skin and black hair. Only the arms of her parents are shown, one medium brown and one pale.

A fun, sweet getaway for anyone who needs one, especially those with new siblings.