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		Oh, Brother written and illustrated by Kathy Mallat 2003 Walker Tr $15.95 ISBN 0-8027-8875-0 RTE $16.85 ISBN 0-8027-8876-9 Category: Picture Book/Self-esteem Also translated and published in Korea
	"Click on me," says Baby, and I'll surprise you. See the art as it progresses. Click this black and white sketch.
Sometimes, having a sibling is both a blessing and a curse. Baby loves her blankie, and she loves her brother. But sometimes Brother teases too much. One day, Brother takes Baby's blankie. She pleads with him to give it back to her, but he doesn't. And - oh, brother - now it's lost in the garden patch! What will they do?
Steps in How the Art Was Made Click on any drawing to see the finished page.
Kathy Sherburne Mallat and brother Jim Sherburne		A Personal Note Though growing up with two older brothers certainly had its perks, it was not without the usual dose of brotherly teasing. My oldest brother, Jim was the biggest culprit, hence the nickname 'Jimmy Don't'. What Jim didn't count on, however, was my belief in the old adage "what goes around, comes around". You can imagine his surprise, then, when his antics of years ago not only became the basis for my next book, but also landed him a spot pictured on the back flap doing what he did best -- teasing. Ah, sweet revenge!
A Baker's Dozen: The Best Children's Books for Family Literacy from 2003 The Pennsylvania Center for the Book works with hundreds of children's books each year while preparing booklists, activities, and curriculum materials. They consider their annually selected thirteen titles - their Baker's Dozen - to be the very best picture books of the year. These books are seen as fulfilling the goals of family literacy programs across the nation; that is to create lifelong readers and lovers of books and to start with the youngest audience - preschool children. The Pennsylvania Center for the Book Review: Families with young siblings will recognize the frustration and joy in Baby's relationship with Brother when he teases her by taking her blankie. The rabbit characters and the brightly striped red and white blankie are drawn with a simple soft stuffed animal feel making dramatic play with children's own toys a natural extension activity. Be sure to point out the author's picture as a child with her own brother to whom she refers in the dedication as "Jimmy-don't."
	The Review Page Family Literacy Activities The Pennsylvania Center for the Book
"Sibling love wins out. The bright, cheerful art will certainly appeal to young readers." SLJ School Library Journal November 2003 PreS - This book is similar in style and format to Mallat's Brave Bear (1999) and Just Ducky, (2002, both Walker). The recounting of a common toddler experience is portrayed through simple text and large, colorful, mixed-media illustrations. In this case, the theme is sibling rivalry and affection. Brother loves to tease. He takes Baby's favorite blanket despite her adamant protests. When it inadvertently lands in a fenced-off garden patch, Brother risks his own safety to rescue it. Sibling love wins out. The bright, cheerful art will certainly appeal to young readers. However, the rabbit characters seem somewhat stiff in comparison to the swirling striped blanket, and toddlers may need some adult interpretation to see the parallels between the bunnies' situation and their own. A pleasant, but nonessential, purchase. - Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Libray, WI
www.schoollibraryjournal.com
"Bright and cheerful ode to sibling rivalry" Shooting Stars - Fabulous new books for children of all ages The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County December 28, 2003 This bright and cheerful ode to sibling rivalry features a family of rabbits. A young baby rabbit is constantly being teased by her older brother. He steals her favorite blanket from her, but it somehow manages to land in an off-limits garden. The big brother must then risk his life to get his little sister's blanket back. For preschool through grade one.
www.cincinnatilibrary.org
"Heartwarming" Columbus Metropolitan Library New and Notable Childrens' Books: Books for the Very Young Great Reads: Books for the Very Young December 2003 With fun to read aloud simple text and adorable illustrations, this heart-warming book tells the story of a teasing big brother and a baby sister.
www.columbuslibrary.org
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