Julius, The Baby of the World

Lilly is the best big sister in the world--that is, until younger brother Julius actually arrives. Then Lilly is not so impressed. "If he were a number, he'd be zero" is how she puts it. Laura Hamilton does a good job with Henkes's astute story of the displaced older sibling, and her characterization of Lilly is appropriately edgy. Lilly isn't kidding around about the indignation she feels, and she uses the word "hate" liberally and with great vigor. But Hamilton's Lilly is also funny and entertaining, which is enough to keep some light in the story until the end, when Lilly experiences a change of heart. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

September 24, 1990
Lilly, the spunky white mouse who first appeared in the memorable Chester's Way , now stars in a book of her own. Before baby Julius is born, Lilly is an exemplary sister, setting aside toys for the baby and talking to him through her mother's belly. But once Julius arrives, Lilly has a hard time controlling her jealousy. The fact that her parents dote on the new infant, ``kissing his wet pink nose, admiring his small black eyes and stroking his sweet white fur,'' doesn't help matters. ``Julius is the baby of the world,'' croon Lilly's parents. ``Disgusting,'' comments Lilly. Lilly tries to sabotage her parents' early efforts at the baby's education by teaching him her own letter and number sequences: ``3, 8, 1, 5, 9, 6, A, J, K, Z, B.'' However, big sister's protective feelings are aroused when a snooty cousin displays the same disdain that Lilly has felt for the baby. Henkes displays a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem. With her gold paper crown and red cowboy boots, Lilly is a superb and timely heroine. Ages 4-up.