Taken from the view point of a infant, this book puts the world into an enlightening, simplistic perspective. The infant is aware he doesn't know much but he knows how to write and here is his journal. The pages are filled with journal entries about the fascinations of the new world around him and most importantly the love for his sister. He admires everything his sister does but gets discouraged and hurt when his sister ignores him for a boy. Beginning to think his sister does not treasure him the way he does her, one day the sister comes home crying and finally confides in the infant again. She has discovered the infant's journal and laughs and laughs but once she confides in him, the two form an even stronger bond and together create the Young Authors of the World club, in which their dog, Floofy is the president. This book is written from the perspective of an infant, a perspective I have never read before. This point of view turns the complex world into that of a much simpler world where we can just find love in our family. ( )

"Born Yesterday" is a hilarious account of an infant who writes about his daily life. The book focuses on sibling relationships, as the baby desires to be just like his big sister. By discussing adjustment to a new sibling in a humorous way, children are able to see that brothers and sisters are a blessing, not a bother. Especially for early elementary students, this book could be used to teach journal writing or first-person perspective. Since the placement of the text and pictures varies, young readers will be engaged. Kids will be laughing all of the way through the book. ( )

A very comical baby guides us through his first year of life. I think the baby was a boy, the author never really made that part clear. The baby talks about its life and compares itself to its older sister. The baby thinks his older sister is a genius just because she is in kindergarten. The baby starts to think that his sister doesn't care for him until one day she is upset and confides in her baby brother. They then become best friends. This book touches on the acceptance of a new baby in the family and the relationship of siblings. ( )

In the new babies point of view from when he was born and goes on about the world around him. It is a good point of view and is rather silly. ( )

Another new baby book! A brand new baby narrates her life from embarrassing birth (no clothes at all!) to her exploration of the world. The story is punctuated by her admiration of her big sister - she's in kindergarten and she knows EVERYTHING! and finishes with the baby's excitement about their future friendship.

It's an interesting concept - the text is divided into journal entries and the background is lined paper. The illustrations have a Quentin Blake feeling and are small insets around the various journal entries. The baby, despite her writing skills and sometimes adult view of the world around her is still very much a baby and talks about the delights of throwing food, playing with a mobile, and hugging a toy in a realistic and utterly funny way.

The story is very text-heavy - even preschoolers are going to have trouble sitting still long enough for this one, but I'm not sure older kids will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek humor and the baby's viewpoint. A kindergartener with a new sibling might be the best audience for this story.

Verdict: Too limited in audience. I need picturebooks that have a wider appeal and aren't so lengthy.

ISBN: 978-0399251559; Published March 2010 by Philomel; Borrowed from the library