Sona is not sure how she feels about a new baby in the family until the baby-naming ceremony, during which she is determined to find the best name for her new brother or sister. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

"Sona Sharma's house is full of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come unannounced, the phone rings frequently and friends drop in all the time. Then one day Amma tells Sona she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't sure --she has always enjoyed being an only child -- and straight away she has a word with her best friend, Elephant. When Sona learns that there will be a baby naming ceremony, she is determined to find the perfect name for her new brother or sister. Because although she realizes that her life is about to change, and while she's having some difficulty in coming to terms with having to share everything with the new baby -- including Amma and Appa, her grandparents and her home -- Sona Sharma wants to be the very best big sister she can be."--Jacket flap. - (Baker & Taylor)

Can Sona be the best big sister ever when she’s not sure she even wants a baby sister or brother? Brimming with warmth and charm, this story set in India will resonate with new older siblings everywhere.

Sona Sharma's house is full of three generations of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come over unannounced, the phone rings frequently, and friends drop by all the time. Then one day Amma tells Sona that she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn’t so sure. She doesn’t want to share her room or her things with a new baby, not to mention the attention of Amma, Appa, Thatha, and Paatti. And despite Amma's assurance that the sky always has room for new stars, Sona doesn’t feel stretchy or bighearted like the sky. But when she learns there will be a baby-naming ceremony, she’s determined to find the best name for her new brother or sister—one as nice as her own, a Hindi word for “gold.” Perfectly pitched to young readers, this tale of warming up to change is followed by a glossary of words from India to explore in the story. - (Random House, Inc.)

Chitra Soundar grew up in Chennai, India, in a multigenerational family that was filled with small fights, big laughter, and lots of stories. An award-winning author of more than forty books for children, she loves writing picture books, fiction, nonfiction, and verse. Chitra Soundar travels the world visiting schools and appearing at festivals to bring Indian stories to children everywhere. She lives in London.

Jen Khatun is an award-winning illustrator whose work incorporates whimsy and playfulness in each line. Based in England, she enjoys living close to the sea and regularly walks through the beautiful downs to fuel her creativity. - (Random House, Inc.)

Booklist Reviews

Firstborn Sona enjoys her spot in the family, but there's a new baby on the way, and change is hard. Everyone is talking about Amma's pregnancy, and Sona feels tremendously left out. She finds comfort with her plush elephant, who keeps her company, and their exchanges in the text reveal how she processes her feelings of sadness and anger. Meanwhile, Amma tries to comfort her daughter with symbolism of stars: There are new stars born every day . . . the moon and the other stars don't get angry about new stars. But more difficulties are on the way—per tradition, Amma will rest at her mother's home until the baby is born, which means Sona is separated from her mother. But all is well when the baby is born and she feels an immediate bond, intuitively absorbing her new role as big sister, especially as she rescues the naming ceremony. Soundar neatly folds familiar themes of changing family roles, adapting to new circumstances, and dealing with big feelings into this beautifully illustrated chapter book showcasing India's culture and traditions. Grades 1-4. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Sona Sharma lives with her mother, her father, her grandmother, her grandfather—and, very soon, a brand-new sibling! Sona's mother is almost ready to give birth, and her Hindu family is getting ready for the baby's naming ceremony. During the ceremony, the baby will be given three names: one picked by the maternal grandparents, one picked by the paternal grandparents, and one chosen by the parents for the baby to use outside of the home. The baby's names will then be written in a bed of rice, which is a typically Brahmin tradition. In India, families are not allowed to know if the baby is a boy or a girl, so Sona's family is preparing two lists of names. Sona plans to help choose a girl's name, but making a list is harder than she thought, even with the help of her toy elephant. Will Sona be able to come up with the perfect name for the baby while also juggling all the changes that come with being a big sister? The book features a highly accessible story about transitioning from being an only child to a sibling, and it depicts well-developed, positive relationships among members of three generations, all of whom burst with personality. (Sona's maternal grandmother, a retired academician, is called the President, for instance.) The book's female autorickshaw driver is a refreshing example of gender diversity. A charming story about becoming a big sister. (glossary) (Fiction. 7-11) Copyright Kirkus 2021 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—The tapestry of Sona's life is woven with the people of her vibrant, bustling multigenerational Indian family: her parents, Amma and Appa; her grandparents Thatha, Paatti, and the President; and her stuffed elephant, who is called, much to his chagrin, Elephant. Sona's life is about to change as her parents prepare to welcome a baby. And Sona, like many first-time older siblings, is feeling a variety of emotions. Will she have to leave her home and live with her maternal grandmother, the President, as Amma awaits the new baby? Will Sona be able to share her parents' love and attention with the baby? Can she come up with the perfect name for her new sibling's naming ceremony? The emotional journey of this soon-to-be big sister unfolds delicately, with the perfect balance of gravitas and humor. Young readers will be quickly absorbed in the character-driven plot and description of Hindu baby-welcoming ceremonies and customs. In a particularly touching scene, Amma assuages Sona's worries of being forgotten by comparing the family's love for Sona and her future sibling to the sky making space for the birth of a star. Khatun's linear illustrative style pairs well with the text, giving life to the lush foliage of India and the charming characters of Sona's family. VERDICT This chapter book's unique take on the familiar theme of welcoming a new baby is elevated by Soundar's exceptional characterization and Khatun's appealing art. A recommended purchase for school and public library collections.—Sarah Simpson, Westerville P.L., OH