Father Christmas and/or Hanukkah Harry have/has come early this year, folks! I just got wind that my forthcoming picture book (my second offering as both illustrator and author), ANOTHER BROTHER, has received a second starred review! This one from our friends at School Library Journal. Unbelievable. And a BIG thank you for getting it/me, Sara Lissa Paulson! Huzzah, good people and a happy holidays to you and yours!
CORDELL, Matthew. Another
Brother. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Feiwel & Friends. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64324-9. LC
2011001135.
PreS-Gr 3–In the beginning, it was Mom, Dad, and Davy. For years,
the little sheep basked in the love of his small family. Then along
came Petey, then Mike, and then Stu. The formerly close-knit family
eventually becomes a mob, and Davy is stuck with
“12 WHOLE BROTHERS,” who nightmarishly copy his every move. Dad explains
to Davy, “When they get older, your brothers will have their own
interests. Then they won’t copy you.” It takes a while, but his father’s
prediction eventually comes to pass, much to Davy’s
chagrin. The pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork is filled with humorous
detail. Think Richard Scarry’s warmth and scale, with a minimalist
approach to setting. The psychology of the oldest child is well
chronicled here. With a delightfully fulfilling ending,
Davy (and readers) realize that being the one and only sometimes means
being alone, and lonely. The story is a great way to discuss life as a
half-empty or half-full vessel, and the very human struggles of sibling
rivalry.–Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign
Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City
