Book excerpt: In A NEW BABY AT KOKO BEAR’S HOUSE, a read-aloud story for young children and their parents, popular parenting author Vicki Lansky uses an adorable character, KoKo, the unisex little bear, to help them get ready for a new baby brother or sister. As KoKo learns about MaMa Bear’s pregnancy and BeBe Bear’s birth and homecoming, children will identify and share the experience. Here children learn what they can expect with the arrival of this new baby. The simple story, written especially for children from two-and-a-half to six years old, describes feelings—jealousy, displacement and sagging self-esteem—that children will come to understand are normal. Charming color illustrations by Jane Prince warmly convey the anticipation and apprehensions of an expanding family. Each page contains a separate box with helpful tips and suggestions for parents to read silently while they read aloud to their child. KoKo’s story and the accompanying advice for parents together should help make a new baby’s arrival a happy event for the entire family.