Review by Booklist Review
Pinkney carries on his family's legacy of thoughtful children's literature and gorgeous art in this heartwarming story about Brandon, a new older brother adjusting to the new baby in the house and learning how to entertain himself when his parents are preoccupied. Brandon wants to throw tantrums to get Mommy and Daddy's attention, but he also understands how much more his baby brother needs the care. Soon, he realizes that his security blanket--paired with a little imagination--is the perfect companion when he wants to play alone, as the blanket morphs into various animal friends. Not only that, but Brandon shares his comfort item with his baby brother, helping to soothe him. The pastel palette and free-spirited art style showcase Brandon's creativity and the lack of restrictions on his imagination. Perfect for young readers who are adapting to little siblings and the loss of attention, helping them understand that their parents still love them just as much as before.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
"Brandon had a special plaid blanket. He also had a new baby brother." His parents are entirely preoccupied with the baby, and big brother feels neglected. He kicks up a fuss at suppertime ("Mommy, I do not want to eat in the big-boy chair anymore"), bathtime, and bedtime. Fortunately, his beloved blanket, in a swirly mix of lilacs and blues, comes to the rescue, transforming into a series of animals (Toucan, Sea Lion, Owl) to distract and entertain him. Soon his blanket captivates not only Brandon but also his brother, and Brandon is too busy and happy to feel left out. Then comes one naptime when Baby doesn't want to be alone and cries inconsolably. Fortunately, Brandon knows what to do. He enlists not only his own plaid blanket but Baby's -- also plaid, but in yellows and pinks -- as well to help, and the two blankets transform into Owl and Little Owl to watch over a now-comforted and snoozing Baby. "Brandon loved his special plaid blanket. As for his baby brother? Brandon loved him, too." The situation is of course hugely relatable, and readers and listeners will be drawn in further by the liberal sprinkling of chantable sounds ("Swish, snap, splash!") throughout the text. Pinkney's signature art, created with India ink, opaque watercolors, and acrylics, is all movement and swooping lines and adds even more energy and dynamism. Martha V. ParravanoSeptember/October 2024 p.56 (c) Copyright 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
A young Black boy negotiates his new status as big sibling after a baby brother arrives on the scene. From the get-go, listeners learn that "Brandon loved his blanket," but "he wasn't so sure about the baby." Pinkney sets up a pattern whereby the protagonist starts to regress during times of transition: He doesn't want to sit in his big-boy chair at dinnertime, take a bath in the tub, or sleep in his own bed. When his parents, busy with the baby, don't respond to his frustrated declarations, he begins to throw a temper tantrum. Each time, "Brandon's blanket had a better idea." With three alliterative, onomatopoetic sounds, the plaid wonder transforms into a creature (toucan, sea lion, owl) that distracts and delights Brandon. Soon he and the blanket are a team, entertaining the happy infant. The acrylic, watercolor, and India ink compositions--swirling with the artist's signature, energetic lines--eventually depict the foursome as a unit. Ultimately, when the baby cries, it's Brandon who has the situation covered. Children with younger siblings will identify with how hard it is to go from being the center of attention to feeling overlooked. The varied facial expressions throughout the narrative offer opportunities for discussing those emotions. A welcome refresh of a familiar family dynamic, with the best possible outcome. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
