THE BESTEST BIG BROTHER, EVER

Even the toughest squabbles can’t (permanently) harm the special bond between siblings.

Nano and Felix are “best friends”—at least younger sibling Nano thinks so. They “do EVERYTHING together,” but sometimes Felix needs a little space. When Nano claims they’re being “artists from the future,” Felix (rightfully) complains that Nano ruined his picture: “MOOOOOOM! Look what Nano has done!” After tracking Felix outside to the tree house, Nano is shocked to find a “NO Nanos allowed” sign. With little choice, Nano goes solo: “FINE! I’m going to build my own tree house!” But when rain and wind prove overwhelming, Nano’s mounting cries of “Help, Felix!” go unanswered. Suddenly, Felix goes from “bestest big brother” to “WORST big brother…ever!” At least until Felix manages to convince Nano that he is the bestest after all. English author/illustrator Mantle captures an all-too-common family situation—siblings (particularly the elder) needing space—with empathic authenticity and inviting humor. His text holds inventive whimsy: “totally grape” (code for “really great”), “LAVA CAVES OF DOOOOOM!,” “fancy-pants umbrella house.” The “pitta-patta,” “plink-plonk,” and “blip-blop-blopping” of the never-ending rain provide a syncopated soundtrack throughout. His riotous, vibrant art fills every page, with his details—Nano’s missing sock, the children’s skinned knees, hanging cans and CDs adorning the trees in the yard—gloriously typifying childhood. Both siblings have peachy skin; Felix sports black curls, while Nano has orange locks.

An entertainingly energetic, thoroughly realistic capsule of siblings who “are best friends…most of the time.”