"I looked down at Joe
Who bothered me so
And I wondered if this was for real.
What will they say
If I trade him away?
Would their broken hearts ever heal?"
When there were only the four of them - James, his mom, dad and dog - things seemed good. Once Joe arrives on the scene, James only thinks of himself as 'in the way.' Whatever the baby does is seen as nothing short of miraculous. James, who does things properly, gets no praise or respect. Once the baby has made an appearance, there is no sending him back.
Thursday night is family pizza night, and everyone loves it. Following the meal they sit back to relax with full bellies. Of course, Joe decides that is exactly the perfect time to fill his diaper. When the parents can't agree on whose turn it is to change him, they look to James.
"James, my son, this is a milestone.
Your mother and I
Need assistance tonight
With your brother and his situation.
In the bathroom right there
To the left of your chair
There's a Baby-Changing Station."
In they go, ready to relieve Joe of the stinky mess he has created. The deed done; James is very surprised to read a tempting offer on the screen above the changing station. Press a button and Joe will be gone! There are exchange options; each hold some appeal for an older, often ignored brother. The offers are time-sensitive and urge immediate action. What will James choose to do?
Dan Santat's entertaining and expressive double-page watercolor spreads offer humor and details to match the drama of the rhyming text. It makes for a terrific read aloud in early years classrooms.
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