Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. Polacco's story of her childhood ri~valry with her brother Richard harks back to growing up with grandparents in Union City, Michigan, and catches competition at gut level. Her grandmother, Bubbie, whom readers will recognize from other Polacco books, doesn't seem to know how rotten Richard is. Polacco conveys the passionate intensity of conflict--trying to pick more berries, eat more rhubarb, and stay on the merry-go-round longer--as well as the abiding love beneath it. The figures of the children are intense and full of motion, and the facial expressions are beautifully accomplished. Surrounding it all are Babushka-clad Bubbie's comforting love and warm hugs. ~--Mary Harris Veeder
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A girl burdened with a bratty big brother tries to do something, anything, better than he can. "The text rings true with the authentic battling words of childhood spats," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3A little girl endures the jeers and taunts of her older brotheruntil he comes through for her when she needs him. High-spirited pictures of the rivalrous siblings in action belie the family caring beneath all the bickering. (Oct. 1994) (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Patricia is always outdone by her brother until one day she stays on the carousel longer than he does -- then falls off and ends up needing stitches. Her 'rotten redheaded older brother' comes through and carries her home. Children will enjoy the teasing and contests between the two rival siblings. Polacco's marker and pencil illustrations set the period and add humorous details to the story. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Patricia has an older brother who looks ``like a weasel with glasses,'' but that's just for starters. The real problem with him- -besides his red wiry hair and his freckles--is that he's always telling her he can do everything better than she can. He can pick more blackberries, he can eat more rhubarb without puckering, he can run faster, climb higher, burp louder and spit farther. Worst of all, he's four years older, ``always has been and always will be.'' When Patricia's babushka--her grandmother--teaches her how to wish on a falling star, Patricia wishes to do something better than he does. She gets her wish and winds up seeing a different side of her brother as well. Polacco's (Babushka Baba Yaga, 1993, etc.; Pink and Say, see below) text is smooth, effortless and completely natural-sounding. Her drawings are funny and vivacious--as usual, her characters are drawn with wonderful facial expressions and limbs akimbo. She has the ability to transport you to her settings- -in this case, to a Michigan farm where you can practically feel the sun and smell the pies baking. Polacco has proved time and again that she is masterful both as illustrator and storyteller, and this book is no exception. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
