Julius, the Baby of the World

by Kevin Henkes, Kevin Henkes (Illustrator)

Overview

The riotously funny Lilly, last seen in Chester's Way (Greenwillow), thinks her new baby brother, Julius, is disgusting—if he was a number, he would be zero. But when Cousin Garland dares to criticize Julius, Lilly bullies her into loudly admiring Julius as the baby of the world.

Julius is the baby of the world, said his parents. But Lilly, his older sister, disagreed. She thought he was disgusting. She hoped he would go away. But he didn't. He stayed and stayed and stayed. Nothing her parents said or did could change Lilly's mind about Julius. But when Cousin Garland had a thing or two to say about the situation, Lilly had a change of heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688143886
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/28/1995
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	21,626
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	460L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the author of Junonia, Sun & Spoon, Bird Lake Moon, and the Newbery Honor Books The Year of Billy Miller and Olive's Ocean. He also writes and illustrates picture books, and among his many titles are the national bestsellers Little White Rabbit, My Garden, Old Bear, A Good Day, and Kitten's First Full Moon, for which he was awarded the Caldecott Medal. Mr. Henkes is also the creator of a series of books starring mouse characters, including the Penny books for beginning readers, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Chrysanthemum, and Owen, for which he was awarded a Caldecott Honor.

Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

Kevin Henkes is the author of Junonia, Sun & Spoon, Bird Lake Moon, and the Newbery Honor Books The Year of Billy Miller and Olive's Ocean. He also writes and illustrates picture books, and among his many titles are the national bestsellers Little White Rabbit, My Garden, Old Bear, A Good Day, and Kitten's First Full Moon, for which he was awarded the Caldecott Medal. Mr. Henkes is also the creator of a series of books starring mouse characters, including the Penny books for beginning readers, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Chrysanthemum, and Owen, for which he was awarded a Caldecott Honor.

Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

Hometown:

Madison, Wisconsin

Date of Birth:

November 27, 1960

Place of Birth:

Racine, Wisconsin

Education:

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Website:

http://www.kevinhenkes.com

Editorial Reviews

PW commended Henkes for displaying ``a deep understanding of sibling rivalry and a child's fragile self-esteem'' in this hilarious and refreshing twist on the familiar theme of a new baby in the family. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Lilly is convinced that the arrival of her new baby brother is the worst thing that has happened in their house, until cousin Garland comes to visit. It is a story that rings true and perfect for older siblings awaiting the arrival of a new family member. 1991 Notable Children's Book.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

It's the old familiar story of the displaced only child, freshly told and humorously illustrated. Lilly (of Chester's Way Greenwillow, 1988) is a very new, very unhappy big sister. Her parents dote on disgusting little Julius, ``the baby of the world,'' and cannot admire him enough. Lilly, however, annoys them by asking continually when he'll be going away so she can have her room back , and spends more and more time in the ``uncooperative chair.'' When she tries the baby tricks her parents so adore in Julius, they simply remind her to mind her manners. Plainly, there is no longer any justice in the world. Affairs are pretty bleak, until at a large family celebration, a cousin criticizes Julius. Like a tiger, Lilly springs to his defense. Magically, Henkes conveys a world of expressions and a wide range of complex emotions with a mere line or two upon the engaging mousey faces of Lilly and her family. A reassuring, funny book for all young children who suffer from new-sibling syndrome. --Joan McGrath, Education Centre Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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