My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother ANNOTATION
After losing running, climbing, throwing, and burping competitions to her obnoxious older brother, a young girl makes a wish on a falling star.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
There's nothing worse than a rotten redheaded older brother who can do everything you can do better! Patricia's brother Richard could run the fastest, climb the highest, and spit the farthest and still smile his extra-rotten, greeny-toothed, weasel-eyed grin. But when little Patricia wishes on a shooting star that she could do something — anything — to show him up, she finds out just what wishes — and rotten redheaded older brothers — can really do. Patricia Polacco's boldly and exuberantly painted pictures tell a lively and warmhearted tale of comic one-upsmanship and brotherly love.
About the Author:
Patricia Polacco has written and illustrated many highly acclaimed books, including Some Birthday, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and a Parents' Choice Award winner. Among other honors she has received are the International Reading Association Award for Rechenka's Eggs, the Sydney Taylor Book Award for The Keeping Quilt, and the Children's Literature and Social Responsibility Award for the overall excellence of her work. She lives in Oakland, California, with her husband and two children.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Younger siblings, take heart: Polacco's ( Rechenka's Eggs ; Chicken Sunday ) chipper new picture book offers solace to anyone encumbered with a bratty big brother. Patricia is continually aggravated by her older brother, who has ``orange hair that was like wire; he was covered in freckles and looked like a weasel with glasses.'' But worst of all, he can do most anything better than his sister and is fond of saying, ``I'm four years older than you . . . . Always have been and always will be.'' After several unsuccessful tries, Patricia's most daring attempt to best her brother leads her to see him in a new light. Polacco's flair for storytelling shines in this tale filled to the brim with a family's anecdotes. The text rings true with the authentic battling words of childhood spats. Breezy, zestfully hued marking-pen-and-pencil artwork affords Polacco's characters--familiar figures from some of the author/artist's other titles--an almostirrepressible energy. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly
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.)
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Polacco remembers an incident from her childhood that involved her relationship with her brother. Always feeling like an also ran, Patricia stays on a merry-go-round longer than he does, but eventually falls off. Injured in the fall, her brother not only carries her home, but he runs to fetch the doctor. This warm-hearted story of family relationships will resound with siblings. An ALA Notable Children's Book, A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.
Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman
The story is based on the author's remembrances of her brother, Richie, who could run faster, throw farther and get dirtier than anyone else. Trisha can't out best him at anything until the night that she wishes on a falling star. Trisha learns about the power of wishes and Richie proves that he's more than a bragging brother. The poses and facial expressions are so child-like that they highlight the universality of this story of relationships. The end papers are covered with photos of Trisha and Richie from their family album.
School Library Journal
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)
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