Module 6: Julius, Baby of the World: Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Book Summary: 


Lilly gets a new baby brother and is no longer the only child. She is so jealous and cannot stand to hear her parents say that "Julius is the baby of the world," which they repeatedly do. She behaves badly about him being in their life. She even runs away seven times. Then, she has a tea party, but does not invite Julius. Then, there is a big party in honor of Julius and Lilly is there, too.


APA Reference: 


Henkes, K. (1990). Julius, Baby of the World. New York : Greenwillow Books.

My Impressions: 


I loved this book, especially at the end where, after picking on him the entire book, Lilly defends her little brother, Julius, when her Cousin Garland comes over and says, Julius is "[d]isgusting," that his "pink nose is slimy," that his "eyes are beady," and that his "fur is not so sweet." Lilly becomes his great champion, saying Julius' "nose is shiny, his eyes are sparkly, and his fur smells like perfume." Eventually, she makes Cousin Garland repeat after her, loudly, that "JULIUS IS THE BABY OF THE WORLD!."


Professional Review: 


"Books about new babies in the family, often told from an older sibling's point of view, encompass a range of feelings about the newcomer from positive anticipation to disappointment, jealousy, and anger. Lilly, Kevin Henkes's appealing mouse character who knows how to talk backwards, pop wheelies, and wear Band-aids to look brave, shows equally as much imagination and verve when Julius, her new baby brother, arrives. Lilly is an enthusiastic older sister until the day Julius comes home and she has to share her room, speak quietly, and smell his diapers. What's worse, Lilly's parents are constantly proclaiming that "Julius is the baby of the world," which Lilly finds "disgusting." IN response, she pinches his tail, sings him his letters and numbers in the wrong order, and even learns magic to try to make him disappear. With spanking no longer in vogue, Lilly's behavior earns her "more time than usual in the uncooperative chair." Readers anticipate Lilly's change of heart toward Julius, but how? With hilarity and amusing detail, Henkes builds his tale to a delightful and surprising resolution. Henkes is a keen observer of children's behavior. Adults will nod heads in recognition; children will not fail to find humor in Lilly's antics. When it comes to spunky individuals with minds of their own, Lilly ranks close to the top. 1990, Greenwillow, $12.95. Ages 3 to 7."

McDonald, M. (1990). [Book review of the book Julius, Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes]. The Five Owls, 5(1). Retrieved from Children's Literature Database via Ebscohost: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~aoavcJ:1

Library Uses:

In addition to reading the book, I think that a puppet show would be so much fun. The puppet could be the one (through the puppeteer's mouth) to say the fateful words,"Julius is the baby of the world!" each and every time. Also, you could have an activity where the children take turns holding the puppet and making it talk and practicing make faces with it.