The beat of a drum Book

This book is a delightful preview of things to come within five years of its publication, when author Tomie dePaola would begin fleshing out the stories of his childhood (including this one) in greater detail in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series.

The Baby Sister is told in fuller context in the book Here We All Are, and I would really recommend that book, as well as the entire 26 Fairmount Avenue series, to anyone who enjoys reading The Baby Sister. Little Tomie is living in the 1930s, so when his baby sister Maureen is born his mother is required to spend several days recuperating in the hospital, and Young Tomie isn't allowed to go see her or the baby. What makes matters worse for him is that his Nana Fall-River'who has a strict outlook on how boys should be raised and makes the ache that Tomie feels over not being with his mother feel even sharper'is staying with Tomie and his brother, to take care of them. Tomie becomes sadder and sadder until the day that he receives an unexpected visit from his mother, in a locale that the reader would least expect.

After having read so many books about Tomie dePaola's personal history, I really feel as if I am part of his family. It's difficult to fully explain, but I've become so familiar with his stories that I almost feel as if I witnessed them first-hand, and now enjoy hearing them retold by Tomie dePaola as the author he has come to be.

The Baby Sister is a real treat, and I would give it at least two stars.