Unlike most of the picture books about new babies that deal with the jealousy an older sibling, this one focuses on the things an older sibling can do that a baby can’t. It cleverly helps to build the older child’s self-esteem while showing what life with a new baby is like. The older sister here is a confident, chatty girl who is eager to tell us just how boring it is to be a baby, like her little brother. He can’t talk or do anything for himself, he has to eat boring food and play with boring toys, he has no real friends, is unpopular with cats, and can’t even face the right direction while riding in the car. The older sister makes being a baby sound entirely unappealing. By the end of the story, however, the big sister makes it clear that she loves her little brother and is looking forward to the day when he’ll be old enough for some real fun. Spritely watercolor illustrations show an energetic little girl, in charge of her world, and her roly-poly baby brother who is destined to be her sidekick. (Ages 3–7)

The New York Times praised this best-selling picture book as "adorable, original, well-illustrated and fabulous." In this first book in the How-To Series (which includes How To Get Married and How to Get a Job), the know-it-all big sister narrator tells it like it is: When you're a baby you don't read books. You eat them. You don't know how old you are, or even if you're a boy or a girl. And you have to keep a special plug in your mouth to stop your scream from coming out. But one day, you won't be little anymore, and then you'll be taller and smarter, and actually quite clever. Like the narrator. And you'll be able to share memories of what it was like when you were little with your incredible Big Sister.