Suitabook

The trouble with babies

Claudia Mills

Reading: Try reading a little at a time and pause when Nora’s different responsibilities overlap. Invite your reader to notice which task seems most pressing to her, without needing to predict the outcome.
Themes: Becoming an aunt: Nora prepares for a new baby in the family by collecting facts, while recognising that she does not know how to care for babies. The premise raises the difference between being curious about a role and knowing what it involves; how the story evaluates Nora’s expectations is unclear.
Working with Emma: Nora is paired with Emma for the science fair; Nora likes science, while Emma is described as science-hating and cat-obsessed. They disagree about project ideas. The setup brings contrasting interests into a shared task, but the story’s view of their disagreement or partnership is unknown.
Worth knowing: Nora is described as stressed by several demands and as arguing with Emma over science-fair ideas. The extent and intensity of these disagreements are not clear.