Book Reviews: Big Sisters-Little Brothers

At our house we love the library (and we're lucky to have such a fabulous one!).  We go at least once a week and always come home with a big bag full, as well as an arm full, of books.  We never tire of reading.

Lately I've found myself falling in love with books that I've just happened to come across among the shelves about big sisters and their little brothers.  And I wonder why??? Maybe it's because I watch my own daughter be such a sweet big sister to her darling little brother every day.

And for those of you out there with your own "big sister and little brother" these are books I highly recommend.

If I Were Queen of the World

By: Fred Hiatt

"If I were queen of the whole wide world, I'd have one hundred lollipops a day and never have to share.  But sometimes I'd let my little brother have a lick or two."

So begins a small girl's glorious fantasy of what life would be like if she were queen of the world and could do anything she wanted--without her little brother getting in the way! But she realizes there are a few accommodations she can make for her brother without relinquishing her power.  As queen of the world, she would have her own desk, which nobody else would ever touch. (But now an then, she'd let her brother work beside her.) As queen, she'd ride the scariest roller coaster at the fair one hundred times. (But she'd get off once in a while to keep her little brother company on the flying baby elephants.) If she were queen, she'd be able to fly just by spreading her arms. (But sometimes, she'd take her brother on her back.) And as queen of the world, she'd make sure her brother never felt sad.  She'd let him sit near her and pretend to be king--but NEVER of the whole wide world!

Flora's Very Windy Day

By: Jeanne Birdsall

When Flora's younger brother spills her paints, their mother orders them both outside even though the autumn wind is strong and might blow them away. Luckily Flora wears her super-special, heavy-duty red boots, but Crispin's purple boots are ordinary. When the triple-strength wind lifts him up into the air, Flora kicks off her boots and sails up in the sky to retrieve him. A dragonfly, a sparrow, a rainbow, an eagle, and a cloud all ask to keep Crispin, but she says, He's my brother and I'm taking him home. Each one replies with the cryptic phrase, If the wind lets you. The lonely man in the moon and the wind also ask for the child, but Flora is determined. Accepting her change of heart, the wind blows them down to earth. 

This gem of a book will resonate with older siblings everywhere.

Daisy and the Egg

By: Jane Simmons

Mama Duck and Aunt Buttercup are sitting on a new egg, and Daisy is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new brother or sister.  Days pass, and Daisy waits and waits . . . until she is finally awakened by a Pip! Pip! Pip!

A Story full of anticipation that every older sibling can relate to, Daisy and the Egg will surely be a hit with fans of the endearing ducking.

The Wildest Brother

By: Cornelia Funke

Brave as a lion, strong as an elephant, Ben is one fearless boy.  When it comes to protecting his older sister, Anna, nothing can stand in his way!  Gallantly he spends his day battling moldy green ghosts, slime-belching monsters, and all manner of ferocious beats.  But when the day is over and darkness falls, Ben suddenly doesn't feel so brave. . . .

Meyer's witty artwork matched with Funke's deft balance of humor, emotion, and truth make The Wildest Brother the perfect bedtime read for rambunctious boys and girls.

Enjoy!