I'm not quite sure how this book is perceived as "controversial." A little boy is at home awaiting the arrival of his brand-new baby brother. He asked his mother to bring home a baby boy and experiences much disappointment when she ends up having a girl. In addition to disappointment, he begins to resent the baby girl. There are constantly people coming over just to see the new baby, bringing her gifts and not even paying any attention to the little boy. Eventually, things do turn around after his mother takes the time to talk to him.
I think it is pretty normal for an older sibling to feel resentment toward the new baby in the family, whether the baby is a boy or girl. Also, it seems natural that a young child would hope for a baby that is the same sex as they are. I would consider the book controversial if one of the parents or one of the visitors shows disappointment that the baby is a girl instead of a boy. In such a case, the male gender is being preferred and valued over the female gender. However, this is not at all the message of the book. I'm glad that there is a book like this out there to read to children in a similar situation as the boy in the book. Going off the topic a bit, I thought the illustrations were pretty spectacular; they are unique and different from any other book I've read before.
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