Lollypop's Baby Sister

Christy Conte is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

These sturdy board books, aimed at the preschool set, chronicle the
adventures of a winsome 2-year-old named Lollypop (or, as he’s known
in the original French versions, Caillou). In these latest volumes,
Lollypop confronts two of the many distasteful realities of toddler
life: toilet training and the arrival of a sibling.

Most parents will likely approve of the author’s approach to
Lollypop’s developmental hurdles. Lollypop’s parents are revealed to
be members of the “firm yet supportive” school espoused by most
mainstream child development experts. For example, in his attempt to
shed diapers once and for all, Lollypop has a few accidents, but his
mother ensures that his self-esteem is never compromised along the way.

Hélиne Desputeaux’s illustrations are charmingly drawn and boldly
colored. The simple text closely mimics the language and tone used by
parents. Recommended.