Big Brother Dustin
by Alden R. Carter, Photographs by Dan Young with Carol Carter
Big Brother Dustin by Alden R. Carter tells the story of Dustin, a boy with Down Syndrome who is about to become a big brother. The story is told through actual photographs of Dustin and his family, taken by Dan Young with Carol Carter. When Dustin learns he is going to have a baby sister, he knows he must learn a lot to be able to help and enjoy his new sibling. To learn more about being a big brother, and to help his family, Dustin helps his dad put together her crib and mobile and his mother get the baby's clothes ready. Dustin even attends a class where he learns how to change diapers and give the baby a bottle. Even though Dustin is so good at helping prepare for the baby, he struggles with one thing: picking out a name for his new baby sister! Throughout Big Brother Dustin, Dustin thinks of possible names and hears the names of other babies, but still does not find one he likes for his sister. Finally, Dustin considers his grandmothers names: Ann and Mary. He combines them in the order of AnnMary first, but is surprised when he unexpectedly calls the baby MaryAnn in a conversation with his dad and realizes it is the perfect name! The story ends with multiple photos of Dustin helping out and being a great big brother to his new baby sister, MaryAnn.
I enjoyed Big Brother Dustin by Alden R. Carter for many reasons. The first of these reasons being that though the story focused on a boy with Down Syndrome, it was never explicitly said or pointed out that Dustin had DS. It was clear that this was the case through the photographs of him, but it was never directly pointed out. I think it is good for young readers to see "characters" in books with disabilities so that they realize that they are just like everyone else. In Big Brother Dustin, there is never mention that Dustin can not do certain tasks because of his disability, and I think that is a very important thing to do in children's books. I also think it was a good idea to use real photographs so that there is not a somewhat stereotyped illustration drawn of a young boy with Down Syndrome.
Carter, Alden R. Big Brother Dustin. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 1997. Print.
About the Book/Author
-Carter has written a total of 45 books, 7 of those are highly praised children's picture books for and about children facing medical challenges.
-Big Brother Dustin Awards and Mentions
I enjoyed Big Brother Dustin by Alden R. Carter for many reasons. The first of these reasons being that though the story focused on a boy with Down Syndrome, it was never explicitly said or pointed out that Dustin had DS. It was clear that this was the case through the photographs of him, but it was never directly pointed out. I think it is good for young readers to see "characters" in books with disabilities so that they realize that they are just like everyone else. In Big Brother Dustin, there is never mention that Dustin can not do certain tasks because of his disability, and I think that is a very important thing to do in children's books. I also think it was a good idea to use real photographs so that there is not a somewhat stereotyped illustration drawn of a young boy with Down Syndrome.
Carter, Alden R. Big Brother Dustin. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 1997. Print.
About the Book/Author
-Carter has written a total of 45 books, 7 of those are highly praised children's picture books for and about children facing medical challenges.
-Big Brother Dustin Awards and Mentions
- An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award winner
- A Sesame Street Parents Reviewers' Choice
- A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice
- Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature Award from the Wisconsin Library Association
- A Parent Council Outstanding Book
- A Children's Television Workshop Best Book for Young Children
- Recommended by The Mailbox Oct./Nov. 98
- Recommended Reading List
- from the Kansas State Reading Circle
- Recommended on the web page of
- River Street School: Roots & Wings Educational Catalog
- Recommended in About Kids
- Selected for the Children's Main List from the Illinois Resource Center
- Recommended by Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore