My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco

Breezy, zestfully hued marking-pen-and-pencil artwork affords Polacco's characters-familiar figures from some of the author/artist's other titles-an almostirrepressible energy. The text rings true with the authentic battling words of childhood spats. Polacco's flair for storytelling shines in this tale filled to the brim with a family's anecdotes. My brother and our mother and I all lived with my grandparents on their farm in Union City.

Always have been and always will be.'' After several unsuccessful tries, Patricia's most daring attempt to best her brother leads her to see him in a new light. But when little Patricia wishes on a shooting star that she could do something anything to show him up, she finds out just what wishesand rotten redheaded older brotherscan. Show more Show more Try YouTube Kids Learn more Comments are turned. Patricia's brother Richard could run the fastest, climb the highest, and spit the farthest and still smile his extra-rotten, greeny-toothed, weasel-eyed grin. So when her grandmother tells her a wish made on a shooting star will come true, she knows exactly what to wish for - to be able to do something, anything, better than Richie. 'My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother' is written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco and read by Melissa Gilbert. Patricia is continually aggravated by her older brother, who has ``orange hair that was like wire he was covered in freckles and looked like a weasel with glasses.'' But worst of all, he can do most anything better than his sister and is fond of saying, ``I'm four years older than you. Tricia can’t stand her rotten redheaded older brother Richie, who can do everything better than she can.

Younger siblings, take heart: Polacco's ( Rechenka's Eggs Chicken Sunday ) chipper new picture book offers solace to anyone encumbered with a bratty big brother.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco