Reviewed by
Dianne Bates
Sibling rivalry
is the name of the game in this simple, repetitive picture book for readers
aged 4+ years. It starts with a cartoonish character (a mouse, perhaps) who
says, ‘My big brother can do anything.’ Big brother replies, ‘That’s true.’
From then on, the younger brother challenges his older brother in a variety of
movements (cartwheeling on the lounge, showing-off on a bike, springing off a
diving board, and so forth) while big brother claims he can also do this.
The
illustrations show both brothers on each page with broad backgrounds of vivid
colour. In one page (blue background), a huge, elegant, yellow sandcastle being built
by the younger brother with the older brother saying he can make a castle ‘with
both paws tied behind my back.’ This is followed by a double-page spread with
six orange and red shapes filled with the brothers in Tai Kwando uniforms.
The exploits
by the younger brother become more and more complex (there’s even aerial
flying), with the youngster saying, ‘Maybe one day I’ll be as good as my big brother.’
There is, however, a twist on the final double page spread.
This is an
action-packed book likely to be enjoyed by a competitive sibling.
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