Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. Sisters and Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World. Illustrated by Jenkins, Steve. Houghton Mifflin, 2008. ISBN 9780618375967. $16.00. 32 p.
Reviewer: Marsha D. Broadway
Reading Level: Primary, Intermediate
Rating: Excellent
Genre: Informational
Subject: Animals--Juvenile literature; Brothers and sisters--Juvenile literature; Books--Reviews; Family relationships are quirky--even in the animal kingdom. Intriguing facts about twenty-one animal families from African elephants to black widow spiders to Cuckoo catfish pique readers' curiosities. The New Mexico whiptail lizard families are all female. Wild turkey brothers are lifelong friends while grizzly bear brothers will fight for dominance. A myna bird will become foster mother to the Asian Koel egg laid in her nest even though the Koel is larger and hungrier than her own chicks. One- and two-page spreads contain pithy text and lively textured paper illustrations. With his trademark cut-and torn-paper collages, Jenkins gives movement and vitality to the animal families. An appendix supplies additional facts about each species. The short additional reading list is weighted toward books more for intermediate and middle school readers with two or three titles for primary-level readers. In addition to children ages 7-11, reluctant readers may find this picture book appealing.
Volume 29, no.1 (September/October 2008)
