FIX IT, SAM

Toddler Petey’s hero is his brother Sam, who can fix anything, as he proves again and again in the brothers’ latest outing. Petey is trying hard to build a special fort, but his desires and abilities often do not coincide. He needs help cleaning up the toys he has ransacked, replacing the pillowcase, putting the books back on the shelf and un-snagging the blanket from the top bunk. At every turn, he asks Sam for help, and though Sam’s eyes may roll, he never fails to come to the rescue. Petey does his part by thanking Sam and providing encouragement. But it’s Petey who finds the final solution to the sagging blanket tent, proclaiming that he can fix anything. The love between the brothers and Petey’s toddler enthusiasm are obvious in Rama’s pencil, crayon and watercolor illustrations. The roughly drawn edges, bright colors and sometimes scribbled style suit the text’s exuberance perfectly. A loving tribute to brothers everywhere; may Sam’s stories continue. (Picture book. 2-5)