The Baby-Changing Station

K-Gr 2–James is not thrilled with the addition of an infant brother, Joe, into his family. He fantasizes about how to send this smelly, attention-stealing sibling back, especially when his parents force him to change a diaper. A relatable and humorous experience, each character’s feelings and intentions are vibrantly depicted with digital illustrations in color pencil and watercolor. James, with comic-book style layered “phantom arms” holding diaper changing gear, is juxtaposed on the opposite page of Joe, clapping delightfully with a smile stretched wide. No words are needed to impart story or characterization here. James narrates his woes in first-person rhymes and near-rhymes. Most of the stanzas follow a Spanish sestet form; unfortunately, this form works best in shorter works and some of the slant rhymes interrupt the natural flow when reading aloud.