Kevin Henkes has written many children’s book. I have four of them. His books always pull a child into the story, allows them to identify with the same type feelings as his characters, and is always very humorous on a level even the younger children can understand.

In Julius The Baby Of The World… Lily’s family is expecting a new baby brother. The book starts with— “Before Julius was born, Lilly was the best big sister in the world. She gave him things. She told him secrets…. After Julius was born it was a different story.”

Lilly becomes very jealous and even reverts back to babyish habits as she tries to copy Julius to get her parents attention. It only gets her in trouble. She sees how much her parents love Julius and showers him with attention. Her parents recognize the jealousy and try to shower Lilly with praise and even let her drink out of an “antique china cup”. The story continues with, “It didn’t matter. Nothing worked.”

One day Lilly became louder and louder as she tried to get attention for herself. Her mother gave her a quiet assignment—to tell Julius a story. Lilly says, “He’s too little to understand….” But then she makes up a horrible story in which Julius is…

“‘a germ. (The story continues…) Julius was like dust under your bed. If he was a number, he would be zero. If he was a food, he would be a raisin. Zero is nothing. A raisin tastes like dirt. The End,’ said Lilly.”

She gets ten minutes in the uncooperative chair.

And this is where the giggles that have been coming from my grandchildren as I read, get really pronounced. There is nothing better than reading a story to your grandchildren (in a very exaggerated voice) and hearing all the sweet giggles.

The giggles grow as you read on about how Lilly warns expecting strangers about babies with this, “You will live to regret that bump under your dress”.

For my three grandsons for whom I read this book to recently (they had me read it two nights in a row when they were snowed in with me), the youngest one, who is three-years-old, soon to be four in March, wanted me to read it again as soon as I finished the first time. They have a baby sister. They get it! It is a perfect book to read to children who are expecting a new baby in the family or in which one has been born in recent months.

What changes Lily’s mind about Julius? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Hint: When someone attacks your family, you suddenly go on the defense for your siblings. In the end Lilly and Julius are bonded.

Some children’s book are tedious to read. With Julius The Baby Of The World, I get excited when they pick it out from the bookshelf. It is written in such a way to make it easy to read expressively and you will enjoy the experience as much as the children you are reading too. So far the age range of grandchildren in our house that love the book is ages three through twelve.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have another child on the way and want to help create a warm reception for your new arrival. It would make a great baby shower gift. And of course, you can find it on Amazon.

Have a great week!