Phoebe and Digger / Tricia Springstubb ; illustrated by Jeff Newman.

With a new baby taking up Mama's time and attention, what will happen when Phoebe needs her?

When Mama got a new baby, Phoebe got a new digger. And when Mama is busy with the baby, Phoebe and Digger are busy, too: " Waa! " says the baby. " Rmm! " says Digger. Poop! goes the baby. " Rmm! " says Digger. Finally, Mama says it's time to go to the park, the one with real dirt -- and while Mama and the baby sit on the boring bench, Phoebe and Digger happily build and knock down and dig things up. That is, until a big girl comes by, a kid with mean teeth and grabby hands. Phoebe tries everything she can, but what if she never gets Digger back? Comical illustrations and a spot-on story are sure to make readers of all ages smile in recognition.

Reviews (5)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-Phoebe isn't thrilled when a new baby arrives at her house, but she is crazy about the earthmover she gets at the same time. She plays with "Digger" endlessly and begins to wreak havoc with it. When Mama takes Phoebe and the baby to the park, Phoebe finds some dirt, and she and Digger are off to play. When a boy starts screaming because Digger unearthed an earthworm, Phoebe gets sent to sit on the bench until she can learn "how to play nice." Once released, she heads for another area full of dirt and it is there that a bigger girl takes Digger away from her. The child tries using her words and anything else she can think of to get it back and is almost ready to cry when her mother intervenes. To Phoebe's great relief, the big girl sheepishly returns the toy. When Mama hugs Phoebe tight, all is right with the world. This story is part sibling rivalry and part bullying but it also features an interesting girl who chooses to play with earthmovers over dolls. The large bold paintings are perfect for storytime and are well used throughout to show mood and scale.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

A new toy steam shovel becomes Phoebe's ally in her displacement anxiety. When her baby sibling cries "Waa!" Phoebe and Digger respond with an equally robust "RMM!" (as well as some minor domestic damage). It takes a much-needed trip to the park, and the possible loss of Digger to a bully, to persuade Phoebe that she hasn't lost her place in Mom's affections. Springstubb (Mo Wren, Lost and Found) stumbles a bit at the wrap-up-she doesn't need to tell readers that a hug from Mama is "The safest, happiest, best-loved place... a moment she wished would go on forever and a day"-but her sense of narrative economy and empathy is otherwise spot-on. Newman's (Rabbit's Snow Dance) stylized characterizations, saturated colors, spare backgrounds, and assured black line work bring to mind the best of UPA animation. Readers will cheer for sloe-eyed Phoebe as she veers from mischievous grin to slow burn and back again, just as they will covet Digger, the most expressive steam shovel since Mike Mulligan's Mary Anne. Ages 3-6. Author's agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Horn Book Review

Young Phoebe scores a toy truck (yay!) at the same time she acquires a baby sister (boo!). Her new digger keeps Phoebe company while Mama is preoccupied with the little one, but it also gets the desperate-for-attention-and-tired-of-being-cooped-up big sis into some scrapes around the house. Time to go outside, decides Mom, and the three family members (plus truck) head to the park. Phoebe and Digger are having a blast in the dirt until a scaredy-cat "crybaby boy" lands her in time-out. Having served her penance, Phoebe goes back to play -- but is herself stymied by a bully girl who snatches Digger up. Our young heroine tries to stand her ground, but to no avail; just when she's feeling most isolated, Mama comes to the rescue, which reminds Phoebe that, in a family, it doesn't have to be every girl for herself. Mixed-media illustrations in subdued hues, with sketchlike black lines and lots of white space, enhance the straightforward text while playing up the tale's small moments and its big emotions. The story is notable for its sympathetic depictions of a rambunctious girl(!) truck lover (who is both the victim and perpetrator of teasing), her harried mother, and the not-always-adorable little baby; its relatable-to-new-big-siblings situations; and the nonsaccharine ending (bully-girl hasn't learned her lesson, but Digger is on the case). elissa gershowitz (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

Phoebe overcomes new-sibling qualms and fear of a playground bully in this emotive and playful story. "When Mama got a new baby...Phoebe got a new digger." Comical illustrations and text play this dynamic out as the baby cries, eats and poops; Digger (a toy backhoe), controlled by Phoebe, is equal in attention-seeking behavior, knocking over trash, chasing the cat and pulling tablecloths down. An outing to the park becomes the perfect distraction, as Digger enjoys real dirt and Phoebe her imagination. Parental misinterpretation of behavior lands Phoebe in timeouta perfect representation of Phoebe's feelings regarding the injustice of the family's latest change. When play resumes, a bully snatches Digger. Phoebe tries to get him back, but to no avail. When she's on the brink of tears, Mama reassuringly steps in. With Digger back in Phoebe's arms, and Phoebe back in Mama's arms, the heroine once again feels safe and loved. With a new connection to her sibling made, a frozen treat shared and her world restored, all ends happily. Newman's expressive drawings, done in a loose and economical style, serve the story well. His artwork, from the way he considers perspective to the interesting and emotionally truthful portrayals of the characters, allows readers (and parents!) to identify with this feisty yet sensitive heroine. Nuanced and humorous, this is a worthy addition to the new-sibling shelf. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

Furious and feeling displaced by her new baby brother, Phoebe is thrilled with her new gift of a digger truck toy, and she has fun with it, shoveling at home, in the park, and even, finally, with the baby. With just a few spare words on each page, this story is told mostly in the characters' body language, and the digitally touched images, created with watercolor, ink, gouache, and marker, show Phoebe first scowling as Mama plays with the baby, and then smiling with her new pet digger. She is scared when a bully grabs the digger, but Mama steps in, and finally, Phoebe, with her toy, reaches out to stroke her brother and comfort him when he cries. The sibling rivalry adds a new lively twist for fans of Virginia Lee Burton's classic Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (1939).--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2010 Booklist

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