Toby Is a Big Boy

April 15, 2019
Toby feels displaced in his elephant family thanks to his needy baby sister, Iris. Like most young children, even anthropomorphic elephant ones, Toby is eager to be considered "big" and do things on his own. But being a big boy isn't quite as exciting as Toby thought it would be when he realizes it comes at the expense of Mama's attention, now devoted to his baby sister, Iris. Peacock's text certainly includes accurate examples of Toby doing things "All By Himself" (yes, with the caps!), such as buttoning his coat (out of alignment) and putting on (two different) rain boots. And young readers with little siblings will certainly relate to the feelings of displacement. Pym's illustrations--done in watercolor, colored pencils, and potato stamps--are charming and full of detail. When Toby is proudly explaining his milk-pouring and book-reading skills, he's actually spilling milk out of the bowl and reading a book upside down. Toby ultimately decides to run away (that'll show Mama!), packing his suitcase with a toothbrush, trumpet, and toys, a true preschooler moment. In the end, Mama reassures him with the tired cliché that he'll "always be [her] baby." This ending reads like a missed opportunity to instead affirm all of the ways Toby (or a young reader) is in fact a successful "big boy," no longer a baby. Familiar moments for children in growing families. (Picture book. 3-5)

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July 1, 2019

Toddler-PreS-Toby is a young elephant on the verge of becoming "a big boy." Like any toddler, he nearly succeeds at doing things independently, but he spills his milk, reads his picture book upside down, and gets spaghetti on his head. Worst of all, Toby's mother is too busy with his baby sister Iris to help Toby fix his misbuttoned jacket or find matching rain boots. She comes to his rescue when the potty becomes too challenging...only to be called away by the crying baby. Angry at being abandoned and feeling like he has to do everything all by himself, Toby packs his suitcase and runs away to his backyard. His mother finds him and reassures the little pachyderm that being a big boy is exciting but that he will always be her baby no matter his age. Pym's use of varied patterns, textures, and bright colors in her mixed media illustrations creates a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. Her cartoonish anthropomorphized elephants are sweetly expressive, from Toby's toddler moods and humorous hijinks to the loving bond between him and his mother. VERDICT A highly relatable (and reassuring) book for families with older siblings who feel the parental attention waning.-Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Library, Boston University

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