School Library Journal Review
PreS-An enthusiastic big brother shows his baby sibling all the ways that they'll have fun together. With simple, straightforward text addressed directly to the wide-eyed toddler, the older brother gamely lists the types of adventures they'll have, from playing trains and planes and hide-and-seek to pretending to be dinosaurs. There is not a drop of sibling rivalry or animosity here. Penfold's earnest story portrays a child who's proud to be a big brother and takes his responsibilities seriously. (Decked out in a superhero cape, the big brother exclaims, "When you cry I will hear you first./Don't worry, baby. I will help!") Kaban's playful cartoon art has a retro-modern vibe, with expressive facial features and cheerful energy. Will all expectant siblings be as easygoing as this young lad ("I will share my toys/and my mama and my dada, too.")? Perhaps not. But how refreshing to find a sibling story with such a strong emphasis on the positive aspects of sharing toys, parents, and experiences with a new baby. VERDICT This buoyant tale is a welcome addition to early childhood picture book collections, especially where selections about new siblings are in demand.-Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Sibling rivalry? What sibling rivalry? Penfold's cheerful big brother narrator is totally cool with having a baby brother. He looks forward to "adventures, just the two of us," that include pretend play with "trains, and planes, and how to be a dinosaur." Most poignantly, he promises, "When you cry... I will hear you first." Kaban (Even Superheroes Have Bad Days)-whose crisp lines, bright colors, and eager-eyed characterizations bring to mind 1960s animation-builds some wonderful images from Penfold's (Eat, Sleep, Poop) words. The dinosaur scene shows the brothers transformed into giant, green carnivores, snacking on vehicles while tiny citizens scatter; when the older boy promises to comfort his brother, a wordless sequence has him displaying impressive superhero moves as he retrieves a dropped pacifier. The story sets a high bar for readers who are struggling with displacement: what kid readily wants to "share my "best toys and my mama and my dada, too," with an interloper? But it's hard to imagine that parents will fault Penfold and Kaban for bringing a little optimism to the table. Ages 2-6. Author's agent: Susan Ginsburg, Writers House. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
