The Newbies

by Peter Catalanotto, Peter Catalanotto (Illustrator)

Overview

Luke finds out that family can be fantastic just the way it is in this witty picture book from the author-illustrator of Matthew ABCs and Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All.

Luke is used to having Mom and Dad all to himself, to play soccer and build forts with. But now that they are expecting a new baby, they always are too tired or too busy to play. So Luke dreams of having new parents to play with—the newbies!

His new parents have all the time in the world for Luke, but some things just aren’t quite right...like the way new Dad’s pancakes are different, and how new Mom doesn’t cut sandwiches into triangles. Getting all the attention is wonderful, but Luke wonders if perhaps his original parents are still the best parents for him!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481418928
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	07/14/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Peter Catalanotto has written seventeen books for children, including Monkey & Robot, More of Monkey & Robot, The Newbies, Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All, Ivan the Terrier, Matthew A.B.C., and Emily’s Art, of which School Library Journal said in a starred review, “whether viewed from afar or up close, this creative and heartfelt book is a masterpiece.” In 2008, First Lady Laura Bush commissioned Peter to illustrate the White House holiday brochure. He currently teaches the first children’s book writing course offered by both Columbia University and Pratt Institute. Peter has illustrated more than thirty books for other writers including George Ella Lyon, Cynthia Rylant, Mary Pope Osborne, Joanne Ryder, Robert Burleigh, and Megan McDonald.

Peter Catalanotto has written seventeen books for children, including Monkey & Robot, More of Monkey & Robot, The Newbies, Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All, Ivan the Terrier, Matthew A.B.C., and Emily’s Art, of which School Library Journal said in a starred review, “whether viewed from afar or up close, this creative and heartfelt book is a masterpiece.” In 2008, First Lady Laura Bush commissioned Peter to illustrate the White House holiday brochure. He currently teaches the first children’s book writing course offered by both Columbia University and Pratt Institute. Peter has illustrated more than thirty books for other writers including George Ella Lyon, Cynthia Rylant, Mary Pope Osborne, Joanne Ryder, Robert Burleigh, and Megan McDonald.

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2015
K-Gr 2—Catalanotto's latest picture book is about a boy longing for his parents' complete attention. Dad still makes him pancakes with rabbit ears (one floppy one and one up straight), but he cannot play soccer with his son because he's busy painting the nursery in time for the new baby's arrival. When the boy's mom is too tired to tell him a story about when he was little, he begins to imagine his life as an only child with two new parents. The newbie parents are kind to him, but they just don't do the little things his real parents do for him. New dad makes only round pancakes, and new mom cuts his sandwiches into squares, not triangles. The watercolor spreads are realistic in style. The inside of the home looks cozy, and outside, the sun is shining. The artwork looks dreamy whether the boy is daydreaming or not, but his smiles are bigger and more frequent when he's with his actual parents. The story ends with the family (dog included) laughing in bed while mom eats her breakfast. The boy's feelings of loneliness are never really addressed; the parents are not aware of them, but the boy comes to his own conclusions about his parents' love. VERDICT A sweet, tender twist on the "be careful what you wish for" adage.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

School Library Journal

2015-04-15
There's a new baby coming, and Luke worries about his place in the family's changing configuration. He loves all the special rituals with his parents. Eating pancakes on Saturdays and retelling stories of his past adventures are treasured times spent together. But now Mom is too tired, and Dad is painting the nursery. When Luke sees a pamphlet for "New Parents," it triggers a "what if?" reverie. A bell rings, and there is an entirely new set of parents ready to devote themselves only to him. These Newbies play games, buy ice cream, tell stories, and even make pancakes, but nothing is quite right. Sandwiches are cut in squares instead of his preferred triangles, and New Dad doesn't try to sneak some of Luke's ice cream. They don't get the nuances of games, and they certainly miss the mark with their version of puppy-ear pancakes. They can't even tell stories right. He decides to stick with his real parents; he'll even help paint the nursery. Catalanotto treats a well-explored theme with compassion and a different perspective, allowing Luke to tell his own tale, a device that captures his growing understanding and willingness to embrace the inevitable changes. Bright watercolor illustrations glow, beautifully complementing and enhancing the text with eye-catching details and expressive characterizations. Comforting and reassuring. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews