The Big Sister by Sally Rippin Page A

can give Mr Fred to the baby next time.’
    â€˜No!’ says Billie. ‘I want Mr Fred!’ She stamps her feet.
    â€˜Billie!’ says her dad. He is looking very tired. ‘Come on.You have to be a big girl now.’
    â€˜But I don’t want to be a big girl!’ Billie cries. ‘I want to be a baby too!’ Billie’s dad bends down and gives her a big hug.

    â€˜It’s OK,’ he says gently. ‘You will always be my baby girl, Billie. Now how about we go see Mum?
    We can look for Mr Fred again when we get home.’ Billie stops crying and gives her dad a big cuddle.

Chapter
Four

    Billie and her dad arrive at the hospital. Her mum is sitting up in bed. She holds out her arms and Billie jumps onto the bed for a cuddle.
    Billie’s mum points to a plastic cot next to the bed. ‘There’s your little brother,’ she says. ‘His name is Noah. Isn’t he adorable?’
    Billie looks into the plastic cot. Noah is wrapped up like a fat white caterpillar. His face is all squishy and red. He doesn’t look very adorable to Billie.

    â€˜Would you like a hold?’ her mum asks.
    â€˜Nah,’ says Billie, snuggling up to her mum.‘Maybe later.’ Billie’s mum lets her change the channels on the TV. Then Billie tells her mum about poor lost Mr Fred.
    Soon it is time to go. Billie kisses her mum goodbye. She even gives Noah a kiss. He smells nice. Like banana pancakes!
    â€˜Bye-bye, baby!’ Billie says softly.
    Just then Noah opens his eyes. He looks straight up at Billie.
    A little smile creeps over his tiny face. Then he closes his eyes again.

    â€˜He smiled at me!’ Billie gasps.
    â€˜Wow, Billie! You’re the f irst person he’s smiled at,’ her mum says.
    â€˜That’s because he knows you’re his big sister,’ her dad says.
    Billie feels very proud . She is the f irst person her baby brother has smiled at.
    He likes her! Maybe it will be fun to be a big sister after all.
    â€˜OK, time to go,’ says her dad. ‘Let’s go home and look for Mr Fred, shall we?’

    When they get home, Jack is waiting on Billie’s front doorstep.
    He has something in his arms. Something big and furry and wet and muddy.
    â€˜Mr Fred!’ Billie says.
    â€˜Oh dear,’ says her dad. ‘Did you leave him out in the rain?’
    Billie nods. She gives poor old Mr Fred a big cuddle. She has missed him so much!

    â€˜I don’t think I want to give Mr Fred to Noah anymore,’ Billie says.
    â€˜After all, Mr Fred is a bit old and dirty for our new baby.’
    Billie knows that being a big sister will be fun most days. But some days she might want to be a baby, too. She will need Mr Fred on those days.
    â€˜But what will you give the baby?’ Jack asks.
    Billie smiles. ‘Our new baby needs a new teddy bear,’ she says. ‘Just for him!’
    Then she giggles. ‘And do you know what else? I think Mr Fred needs a bath!’