Jaz and the New Baby ISBN: 9780241438633
Published by Penguin
In the second book in The Worries series, we meet Jaz, a seven year old who is looking forward to the birth of her baby sister, but when Roz arrives, things begin to go pear-shaped. Suddenly Mum and Dad are so busy with Roz that things like re-painting Jaz's room, reading her a bedtime story and helping to plan her birthday party have gone, and jealousy begins to creep into Jaz's soul. Unfortunately, this and three other 'worries' are all actually little furry creatures she sees and talks to, and, ultimately, everyone else does too. There is Loner, who is sad, DJ Disaster, who is prone to make problems where there aren't any, Change, who doesn't like change in his life, and the aforementioned Jealousy, known as Jel, the really hard-fixed 'worry' that encourages all of Jaz's negative feelings about baby Roz. The four worries get up to all sorts of antics, most of which end up as a tremendous cake fight at Jaz's birthday party. This funny and fun story, but with real emotions included, is peppered with lots and lots of comic-style illustrations that make the reading go quickly, and there is connection between the first and second books because Sohal, the main character in the first is a good friend of Roz. Like the first, we have lots of kid language like 'cool' and 'awesome' and 'Dude', and the frazzled parents who have to cope with 'the worries' as well as baby Roz's sleep patterns are wonderful in their acceptance of all that is happening around them. A nice easy chapter book for new readers, and possibly for those who continue to find reading difficult. And Jaz comes to terms with Roz because her loving parents show her how important she is and that she's the 'best sister ever'. A great frolic but with purpose!
Age: 6+
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