My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco, Patricia Polacco (Illustrator)

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.

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

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

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)

BookList

Polacco's story of her childhood rivalry 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.

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