'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 1 March 2022

Review: When You're Older

Baby brothers are so cute and squishy, but they aren’t so great at playing pirates and helping build sandcastles.

Though maybe… one day… when baby brothers are older, they’ll be everything older brothers want them to be. 

When You’re Older is a lovely look at sibling relationships from the very start. That moment when baby arrives but they're not yet ready for play, or much else other than sleeping and eating. 

It’s a hard time for older siblings who crave fun, adventure and playtime. But older siblings must learn to be patient, and while they wait… they can imagine…

When you’re older, we’ll ride together on our bikes through the jungle.

We’ll see snakes on the branches of trees.

We’ll hide in a cave hung with vines. Bats will send us messages.


Judy Watson’s gorgeous illustrations combine beautifully with Sofie Laguna’s evocative language to take readers on a rich journey into the imagination of a small boy.

Her artwork is filled with textures and quirks. Vibrant colours, stunning patterns and hidden details to uncover — these pages are just so, so beautiful. I found myself turning pages very slowly with this book, savouring the colours and movement on each spread.

This is a book for the older siblings who maybe have a baby on the way, or have just come face to face with the reality of a new born at home. Fear not young adventurer, your little brother or sister will grow, and they will be there to fight pirates and sail the seas with you soon.

A beautiful look at family, imagination and yearning for the future, delivered by two highly acclaimed and award winning creators, When You’re Older makes a stunning addition to your picture book library.

Title: When You're Older
Author: Sofie Laguna
Illustrator: Judy Watson
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN:9781760291341
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book