NOT ME!

McMullen’s tale of two brothers takes a wry look at sibling bonds. “Jack says Kenny is the best brother in the world.” These are words to inspire joy in any parent’s heart—until McMullen slyly turns the table on readers. Of course, big brother Jack feels Kenny is terrific; his little brother, too young to speak, becomes a convenient scapegoat for Jack’s misdemeanors. Broken crockery, a missing cake, messy mud pies are all laid at Kenny’s innocent, unsuspecting feet. Yet Kenny doesn’t mind. In the timeless tradition of younger siblings, Kenny is over the moon with the prospect of interacting with his cherished brother and happily munches mud, squashes cake, and squirts Mom at bathtime. In the end, Kenny astonishes everyone by uttering his first word, an act that becomes the initial step toward independence (and self-preservation)—“Jack.” The bear cubs are appealingly sweet with their large rounded tummies and wide-eyed expressions. Rich hues dominate the full-page spreads. A keen look at sibling relations tempered with a generous dose of humor. (Picture book. 3-7)