Sure, this is a pretty standard story of an elementary-aged girl with anxiety about becoming a big sister for the first time. But we're talking super author Jacqueline Woodson here, so you know it will be better than average. The dialogue is snappy, including Gia's refrain: "That ding-dang baby!" And the family and children depicted are diverse. Gia and her mother are African American, and Gia has both white and black aunts and uncles. In the Thanksgiving scene we see cousins of different colors, so that's cool. There's also a somewhat non-traditional family situation: we never see or hear of Gia's (or the baby's) father.

Gia's concerns about her new sibling are allayed when her mother reveals that she'll miss their life before the baby, too. Gia just needs to be reminded that she's still special and that the bond she has with her mother will continue and expand to include the baby.

Sophie Blackall's illustrations are a great combination of hip and attractive while still being warm and familiar. ( )

I loved this book because I think that a lot of children can connect to it. It is about a diverse family that has a baby coming, and so they talk about the feelings along with that. I think the book would be great for all primary grades up to about 4th grade. ( )

A little girl is NOT excited about the "ding dang baby" whose imminent arrival is going to ruin the good thing she has going with her mama. Mama understands her daughter's feelings, and shares that she too is sad for the time that is ending, even as she's excited about the new baby. One thing all three can agree on? Pecan pie.

Siblings! See also: King Baby, Phoebe and Digger, Nine Months, Me & Mama, Julius the Baby of the World, etc. ( )

PECAN PIE BABY details a little girls experience of becoming a big sister. She takes part in her mothers experience as being a single mother. However, this detail is one that does not draw much attention to itself, it just is. Like other books by Woodson, I enjoyed hearing the similarities and differences of a children's mindset from an adults as well as the cultural differences that I can understand better to relate to the character. I loved this story and the anticipation it harbors when having a new baby join the family. ( )

A very cute story about a little girl who is nervous/not excited for her new sibling to be born.
I loved the artistic choice to not draw any of the people in this book frowning! I thought that was really cute. Even though the situation the book is about isn't necessarily a happy one, they are never frowning.
I relate a lot to this story, because I am the oldest sibling, I didn't want my brother to be born and take the attention away from me.
In the end things ended up fine, and she came to terms with her baby sibling being something she couldn't stop/change. ( )