Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps (review)

Told from the perspective of younger brother Nicholas, this story celebrates the friendship between Nicholas and his older brother, James, who is clearly the center of Nicholas’ world. Behind Nicholas’ laundry list of things that James does that are particularly awesome (shares his Halloween loot, holds Nicholas’ hand when they cross the street, helps him find a book at the library before he looks for his own) is his own longing to grow up and share James’ big-brotherly activities and privileges, a goal that may be closer than Nicholas realizes as the final pages reveal that a baby sister has joined the family. The relationship is endearing if idyllic, but there isn’t much story here, just a listing of characteristics; nor does the book effectively explain why the baby’s birth will confer James-level competence as well as big-brother status on Nicholas. Dodd’s digitally rendered illustrations feature a dot-eyed pair of rosy-cheeked brothers cavorting together, and the streamlined compositions and cheerful colors match the text’s happy mood; the draftsmanship is a little bland, though, especially in the rather samey human faces. Still, little listeners with a rockstar older sibling of their own will readily identify with both Nicholas’ adulation and his longing to grow up.