Book Review: Another Brother

Another brother By Matthew Cordell. Illus. the author.2012.unpaged. Feiwel & Friends. $16.99 (9780312643249)

Format: Hardcover
Age Group:Preschool to Gr3
Genre:Fiction

Awards:None listed.

Subjects/Themes: Siblings, Family life, Imitation
Early Literacy Skills Promoted: Print motivation, print awareness
 

Annotation: 

Davy doesn't like his twelve brothers imitating him all the time, but when they finally stop copying him why does he feel lonely?
 

Reactions/Observations:

Cordell tells the story of a family of three: mom, dad, and Davy. Davy enjoys the sole attention of his parents until a brother is born, but not just one brother Davy gets twelve other brothers! Every move Davy makes, his younger brothers copy. He complains, but his dad tells him that one day they’ll find their own interests and no longer copy him. Davy can’t wait…until the day it actually happens. Surprisingly Davy is saddened that his little shadows no longer follow. One day a little sister punctuates Davy’s tale with a light-hearted twist.

The illustrations are amusing and bright. Cordell uses simple lines and highlights of bright watercolor on a white background to depict Davy’s story. Davy’s experience depicts the important lesson that sometimes it’s lonely being the one and only. As an older child, I can relate to the older sibling experience. Other older siblings will easily be able to relate to Davy also. Another Brother was a warm and easily shared story about the pros and cons of siblings.