Review of "Welcome Baby Wigglet" by Amber Berkowitz

​Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

Just when you thought Amber Berkowitz's baby pig children's books couldn't get any cuter, she publishes Welcome Baby Wigglet!

Welcome Baby Wigglet is, quite frankly, one of the cutest and most heartwarming children's books we've ever read!

We LOVED this book!

Rather than just being a mundane exhibition of a cute, charismatic, anthropomorphic farm animal, Berkowitz's books do something much deeper: they explore the powerful, beautiful bonds and relationships between family members. This is something relatable to all people, especially children whose earliest interactions and bonds tend to be with parents and siblings. In the previous book, Gigglet Goes to School, the focus was on the titular character's bond with her mother, whom she could safely return to every day after school. In comparison, Welcome Baby Wigglet further explores little Gigglet's relationship with her parents (including her father, who wasn't a major player in the previous book), with the added dynamic of the coming of a new baby brother--someone whom Gigglet initially fears may replace her as the family's "baby."

Of course, Gigglet is reassurred that her parents love her all the same and that she has the exciting new responsibility and role of being an older sibling. So, what initially seemed like something new and scary becomes something exciting and uplifting--an opportunity.

But what remains is love.

There is so much heart and so much love in this book. It's more than just about a family of anthropomorphic talking pigs. This is a story that speaks to all of us at some level. Gosh, it had us feeling like crying at some points, particularly in the scenes when Gigglet feared being replaced or when she finally embraces her little brother, Wigglet.

Gigglet (and the audience) is reminded that your parents will always love you no matter what, even when scary new things come and crazy, wild things happen. It's a powerful, beautiful, emotion-filled reminder of that.

This goes along with the sociological concept of primary socialization, the idea that the family is a children's first classroom and thus forms the foundation for the growth later in life. In Cooley’s terms, the primary group (parents and siblings) shapes the earliest norms, language, and love, and Berkowitz's books allow kids to experience that foundation on every page.

Berkowitz's books also seem to explore Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. First come physiological needs and safety: the baby is fed, kept warm, and protected by attentive caregivers (in this case, the parents). It's also interesting to note that Gigglet herself serves as a sort of caretaker to her little brother, adopting a nurturing role.

That foundation (physiological needs and safety) lets love and belonging flourish as the family cuddles, names, and welcomes the new little one. With belonging secured, the baby shows early esteem and curiosity, ready to explore and learn. In short, the story models how meeting basic and safety needs at home unlocks bonding, confidence, and growth. You almost get the sense that because Gigglet was raised with so much love and nurturing that she is able, equipped, and encouraged to do the same for her little brother, Wigglet. In fact, when she says that their names sound alike and says he looks just like her, it's really like she sees the love given to her reflected back through her brother. It's really beautiful!

As an aside, it's also a lot of fun when Gigglet starts speculating about what her parents' surprise might be. Keen kids (or those who've already read the book) might chime in with "it's a baby!" But it's still fun to guess. Maybe you can provide your kids some open-ended questions about what they think.

Check it out on Amazon!