The New Small Person
When a new sibling arrives, Elmore Green finds his space invaded by someone who licks his sweets and touches his things. The story explores sibling resentment and the eventual, earned moment of connection.
The New Small Person by Lauren Child is estimated to take about 8.5 minutes to read aloud (752 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 8.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 752Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This book captures the genuine frustration an older child feels when a new sibling disrupts their world. It doesn't shy away from the annoyance and jealousy that can come with a growing family.
The resolution comes through a quiet, kind moment rather than a sudden, forced reconciliation. It’s a sophisticated take on sibling dynamics that is well-suited for older preschoolers and school-aged children.
Before you buy it
Elmore's resentment is a recurring theme throughout many spreads. Children under four might struggle to stay engaged before the story reaches its reconciliation.
Themes
- siblings
- jealousy
- sharing a room
- only children
Books like The New Small Person
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Julius, the Baby of the Worldabout 11.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Peter's Chairabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Moveabout 12 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
There's Going to Be a Babyabout 6 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Noisy Noraabout 4 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The New Small Person aloud?
About 8.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 752. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The New Small Person actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The New Small Person survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise The New Small Person?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read The New Small Person on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does The New Small Person cover?
We tag it with siblings, jealousy, sharing a room and only children. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists The New Small Person is on
20 reviewed booksPreschool Books About FeelingsFind preschool books about feelings sorted by specific emotions like anger or sadness. Includes read-aloud times for quick decision-making.- 8 reviewed booksBooks About Being a Big Brother or Big SisterFind books about being a big brother or sister. Our picks include titles that address sibling jealousy and honest read-aloud times.
14 reviewed booksPreschool Books About FamilyFind the right picture books for your preschooler. Our list covers new siblings, grandparents, and separation with read-aloud times and ratings.