Big Sister Boot Camp

by Grace Chen

Marcus has a new baby sister. Things feel very different now.

Grade 1: Early readers10 pages

A child struggles with jealousy when a new baby arrives but discovers the joy of being an older sibling

Characters

Marcus

Baby Lily

Mom

Papercraft & Origami

Story Arc

Marcus sat alone in his room. His toy car waited on the floor. He watched the quiet hallway.

Mom held Baby Lily in the living room. Lily made a soft cooing sound. Mom gently rocked her new baby.

Marcus walked into the living room. He held up his favorite dinosaur. Mom did not seem to see him.

Marcus went to play by himself. He built a tall, wobbly tower. It was not as much fun alone.

Baby Lily began to cry loudly. Mom rushed to pick her up. Lily’s face was very red.

Mom looked tired with Baby Lily. Marcus watched her gentle face. She gave Lily a small pat.

Marcus picked up a soft blanket. It was Baby Lily’s favorite one. He walked it to Mom slowly.

Marcus held out the blanket. Mom looked up with a soft smile. “Thank you, Marcus,” she whispered.

Marcus felt a tiny hand grab him. Baby Lily’s fingers held his shirt. She made a happy gurgling sound.

Marcus gently tapped Lily’s nose. She giggled a little happy sound. Marcus smiled a real smile.

Make one of your own next.

hallway: A long, narrow passage inside a building that connects rooms.; He watched the quiet hallway.
living room: A room in a house where people sit and relax, often with a sofa and chairs.; Mom held Baby Lily in the living room.
cooing: Making a soft, gentle sound, like a baby does.; Lily made a soft cooing sound.
dinosaur: A very old animal that lived a long, long time ago and is now extinct.; He held up his favorite dinosaur.
wobbly: Shaky and not steady, like it might fall over.; He built a tall, wobbly tower.
loudly: Making a big noise.; Baby Lily began to cry loudly.
rushed: Moved very quickly.; Mom rushed to pick her up.
tired: Feeling like you need to rest or sleep.; Mom looked tired with Baby Lily.
whispered: Spoke very softly, like a secret.; “Thank you, Marcus,” she whispered.
grab: To take hold of something suddenly and firmly.; Marcus felt a tiny hand grab him.
fingers: The parts of your hand at the end of your arm that you use to touch things.; Baby Lily’s fingers held his shirt.
gurgling: Making a bubbly, happy sound, like water flowing.; She made a happy gurgling sound.
giggled: Laughed in a light, playful way.; She giggled a little happy sound.