School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-This title provides a creative twist on the new-sibling theme. Lizzie, a passionate, gifted storyteller and writer, receives a lot of attention until her brother is born. As Marvin gets bigger, he messes up her bedroom, spills her oatmeal, and decorates her favorite stuffed bear with golden glitter. The second grader finds an outlet for her jealousy and anger by writing stories: about a beautiful princess who banishes an ugly prince to a desert island, a scary Marvinosaurus, a dangerous Marvinfish. She entertains her teacher and class by acting the stories out while telling them. Everyone is captivated by confident and prolific Lizzie's abilities. Miss Pennyroyal's new assignment is to create a comic-book character "who will have lots of adventures." With a deadline looming, Lizzie develops a serious case of writer's block-"something was missing." Then an unexpected dose of inspiration comes from her little brother when he returns home from visiting Gramma. Expressive watercolor and ink cartoon illustrations done in soft hues have humorous elements, such as young Marvin standing on a stack of books in his crib. This is a good choice to share with children coping with and learning to accept a new sibling.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
"From the day she could talk, Lizzie loved to tell stories," writes Sullivan (Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother)-no mean storyteller herself-as Tusa (The Sandwich Swap), in the first of many slyly funny watercolors, shows the heroine, then a toddler, standing on a stack of books in her crib and acting out a narrative with toys for her rapt dog. The arrival of a little brother, Marvin, threatens to induce writer's block, but thanks to an inspirational second-grade teacher, an assignment to write a comic book, and Marvin's fortunately timed trip to Gramma's, Lizzie discovers that a new sibling can actually be a girl's best muse. Sullivan and Tusa seem to know in their bones that writing can be so all-consuming that lunchtime and recess pale by comparison. Bits of stories are interspersed ("After slaying dragons in the forest, the princess gave a surprise birthday party for the king"), underlining Lizzie's inherent creativity, and even when Lizzie sits at her desk with her back turned to the audience, readers will know they're witnessing a girl who's utterly in the zone. Ages 5-8. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
