A quiet, tender story about welcoming change and growing in love, The Year of the Baby follows Anna through a year of becoming a big sister. After learning how to be a good friend, Anna now wants to learn what it means to care for a baby sister her family has adopted from China.
As the seasons pass, Anna watches her family adjust in small, ordinary ways. She listens, notices, waits, and slowly learns that being a good sister is not just about excitement or play. It also means patience, kindness, and paying attention, especially when things feel uncertain.
When a doctor warns that the baby is not thriving, Anna and her best friends, Laura and Camille, respond in the only way they know how. Together, they create a simple science project, hoping their care and devotion can help their new sister grow stronger. Through everyday routines, gentle responsibility, and growing love, Anna begins to understand how deeply small acts of faithfulness can matter.
This beautifully written picture book invites children to slow down and notice the meaning woven into everyday family life. Through Anna’s experiences, young readers see how empathy, perseverance, and love take root over time, shaping hearts through shared moments rather than big lessons.
Include in as a Read-Aloud in our All-Subjects Package B and History/Bible/Literature B packages for students ages 7-9.