Monkey Brother

May 1, 2017
Auerbach’s unnamed narrator, a boy with a shock of unruly red hair, claims that his younger brother is an actual monkey, and it’s hard not to empathize: the sibling is a wily, gravity-defying pest with limitless energy and some serious boundary issues. (One vignette shows the monkey popping out of the medicine cabinet while the older boy is sitting on the toilet.) The first half of the book serves as a catalogue of the older sibling’s frustrations: “One monkey is bad enough. Two of them can really make you crazy,” he explains while being set upon by his brother’s simian friends. But on further consideration, he decides that mimicry and rowdiness aren’t all bad, and that the brothers might need to stick together, given that their baby sister is the elephant in the room. Auerbach’s crisp ink outlines and straightforward drawing style bring the same sly humor to this story as they did to his debut, 2014’s Edda. Although the boys’ reconciliation is somewhat abrupt, the underlying emotions will be familiar to many readers. Ages 4–8. Agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary Studio.

April 1, 2017
Coping with a younger, rambunctious, adoring sibling is reflected in a child's complaining yet fond lament. In this child's eyes, younger brother looks and acts like a little monkey, complete with long curving tail enabling him to hang upside down from lamps and to wreak chaos everywhere, especially where he should not be, such as in the narrator's bedroom. Black-outlined cartoons, often presented in several sequenced scenes on a page, feature an exasperated older white child with unruly red hair reacting to the younger, seemingly simian sib, who trails about incessantly, interrupts with hugs, invades every space, and copies every move. But halfway through this rant, the narrator acquiesces to some of the good in having a hero-worshiping little brother who tries to help and even plays cooperatively. And when necessary, they can team up against the disruption of an elephantlike baby sister, introduced in the final double-page spread. "Once in a while, the little guy surprises me. / And I remember that my little brother can be pretty fun sometimes and even kind of sweet." Negative and positive are balanced, ending on an upbeat tone; older siblings everywhere will recognize the challenges inherent in showing unconditional love despite their occasional resentment. In the end it won't be hard to feel empathy for both kids, doing their best to get along. (Picture book. 4-6)

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May 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Having a little brother is hard enough, but having a monkey for a little brother is really annoying. He follows you everywhere, torments the dog, and always makes a mess! Mom and big brother often take the little monkey to the park to tire him out, but that rarely works. Inviting a friend over just means double trouble. And birthday parties? Forget it! However, just when big brother has reached his limit, little brother does something sweet, which reminds him that having a monkey for a little brother is not all bad. But his little sister? Now that's a different story! This bright picture book for preschool and early elementary students is entertaining and amusing. The work puts a funny twist on the classic "annoying younger sibling" tale. Students will delight in the antics of the adorable little monkey and relate to the frustration of having to put up with someone else's mess. The illustrations are crisp, clean, and colorful, making the title quite visually appealing. The expressions and details conveyed through the pictures are pleasant and comical. VERDICT A strong first pick for storytime or anytime sharing.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

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