There's Going to Be a Baby
A mother and son imagine many possible futures for the expected baby, while the child's comic pictures transform each proposed job and his final question reveals mixed anticipation.
There's Going to Be a Baby by John Burningham is estimated to take about 6 minutes to read aloud (406 words, 1 sentence a spread). Best for ages 3-5.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 6 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Words
- 406Word count
- Sentences per spread
- 1Text density
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 3-5Age range
Our review
Each possible future—chef, artist, gardener or another role—becomes a separate visual fantasy, allowing the older child to test excitement and absurdity without knowing the baby yet. The recurring conversation keeps the mother's certainty beside the child's uncertainty.
Little Miss, Big Sis compresses pregnancy, birth and first-year milestones into very few words. There's Going to Be a Baby is longer and more imaginative, better for a child asking who the baby will become. It opens questions rather than preparing the family for feeding, crying or divided attention.
Before you buy it
The pregnancy-centered conversation assumes a mother-child household and leaves birth practicalities mostly off-page. Little Miss, Big Sis gives a shorter milestone sequence for a younger listener.
Themes
- pregnancy
- waiting
- imagination
- family
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