A review by leaflibrary
Phoebe and Digger by Jeff Newman, Tricia Springstubb

4.0

I really like this book! Phoebe gets Digger when her mom has a new baby. She misses the attention of her busy mother, but she loves her toy and plays happily (and noisily) with it at home and at the park. She doesn't appreciate crybabies, like literal babies or squeamish little boys - until she finds herself wanting to cry too when a bigger girl takes Digger without asking. There's no dramatic resolution to the problem(s) presented, but Phoebe's mom notices what's happening and steps in quietly, affirming Phoebe's feelings and making her feel safe. I love that the book specifically states this feeling. There's no drama around how Phoebe feels or doesn't feel, which tracks with lots of little girls I know but NOT the standard dramatic kids in popular books. I also love that Phoebe favors a toy vehicle (rather than, say, a doll) and likes making noises with it, digging in the dirt, using her imagination and being active. Again, I think that's true to life, but not often reflected in the princess-obsessed girls that populate many children's books.