Getting Near to Baby

Audrey Couloumbis, author of the Maude March books, won a Newberry honor for this book - Getting Near to Baby.

As with her other two Couloumbis books that I have read, this is the story of two sisters and how their lives are affected by the death of a loved one. She has a way with writing that makes her stories a joy to read.

Willa Jo and Little Sister have been taken to live with their Aunt Patty. As the book begins, the sisters are sitting on the roof of Patty's house watching the sunrise. As the day progresses and neighbors stop by to gawk, a look back in time shows how the sisters got to the roof.

This is a beautiful look at family, sisterhood in particular. Not just Willa and Little Sister, but also their mother and Patty.

Couloumbis, Audrey. (2000). Getting Near to Baby. New York: Puffin Books.