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The Wildest Brother
By day, Ben is one brave brother--but when night falls, even the wildest boy sometimes needs protecting by his big sis. The third hit picture book by the best-selling Funke and award-winning Meyer.
Brave as a lion, strong as an elephant, Ben is a fearless young boy. When it comes to protecting his big sister, Anna, nothing can stand in his way! Gallantly he spends his day battling moldy green ghosts, slime-belching monsters, and all sorts of ferocious beasts. But when the day is over and darkness falls, Ben suddenly doesn't feel quite so brave. Sometimes, he realizes, it's the big sister who does the protecting.
Featuring Meyer's witty, whimsical artwork and Funke's deft balance of humor, emotion, and truth, this is the perfect bedtime read for rambunctious brothers and sisters.
Brave as a lion, strong as an elephant, Ben is a fearless young boy. When it comes to protecting his big sister, Anna, nothing can stand in his way! Gallantly he spends his day battling moldy green ghosts, slime-belching monsters, and all sorts of ferocious beasts. But when the day is over and darkness falls, Ben suddenly doesn't feel quite so brave. Sometimes, he realizes, it's the big sister who does the protecting.
Featuring Meyer's witty, whimsical artwork and Funke's deft balance of humor, emotion, and truth, this is the perfect bedtime read for rambunctious brothers and sisters.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2005
About the author
Cornelia Funke
473 books14.5k followersCornelia Funke is a multiple award-winning German illustrator and storyteller, who writes fantasy for all ages of readers. Amongst her best known books is the Inkheart trilogy. Many of Cornelia's titles are published all over the world and translated into more than 30 languages. She has two children, two birds and a very old dog and lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 29, 2021
Brave Ben spends his days fighting bears, wolves, and assorted monsters, but when nighttime rolls around . . . well, it's good to have an older sibling around for moral support. With very cute illustrations by Kerstin Meyer.
February 7, 2017
Summary: This story displays a unique bond between an older sister, Anna, and her younger brother, Ben. During the day, Bens has a wild imagination and is strong and brave like brothers are suppose be. For example, Anna hides in the wardrobe and has to make monster noises; grunting, snorting, and growling. And ben fetches his many swords and fights the man-eating monster. But in the evening, Ben crawls into Anna's bed and she does what big sisters are suppose to do, protect him from all the scary biting beetles. Sometimes brothers really do need their big sisters to confront and protect them. Ben says, "And it is sooo wonderful to have a big, strong sister."
Themes: This story teaches us about the model dynamics of an older sister and her little brother. As an older sister, you have many responsibilities, as well as, being the younger brother. But having a wild imagination is a key principle to being a kid.
Personal response: This story reminded of my childhood and the dynamics I had with my siblings. Creating wild adventures with your siblings can create a tight bond between them and create something special and unique.
Recommendation: This book could start a conversation about the roles of siblings and the bond between them. I would recommend this book to families because it shows the roles of each sibling and how they should act towards each other, while still being kids with wild imaginations.
Themes: This story teaches us about the model dynamics of an older sister and her little brother. As an older sister, you have many responsibilities, as well as, being the younger brother. But having a wild imagination is a key principle to being a kid.
Personal response: This story reminded of my childhood and the dynamics I had with my siblings. Creating wild adventures with your siblings can create a tight bond between them and create something special and unique.
Recommendation: This book could start a conversation about the roles of siblings and the bond between them. I would recommend this book to families because it shows the roles of each sibling and how they should act towards each other, while still being kids with wild imaginations.
March 6, 2018
Summary: Ben is a little brother who with the power of his imagination fights off numerous monsters in order to protect his big sister, Anna. All throughout his sister's room, the bathroom down the hall, and the kitchen, he protects her from array of imaginary monsters that are very real to him. He also protects his sister and her guinea pigs from different animals while she goes through the garden. This fighting leads Ben's muscles to grow in strength, but at night he is afraid of the dark and the "creaks of the heater. So when nighttime comes around, Ben crawls into his sister's bed, grateful for "a big, strong sister."
Theme: The major theme of the story is family because Ben protects and saves his Anna all day long, and she returns the favor when Ben's frights at night come around.
Star Rating: Four stars.
Personal Response: I liked the book a lot because it showcased a great relationship between siblings, which mirrors the one I have with my little brother, and it shows that they are always there for each other in their times of need.
My Recommendation: I would definitely recommend the book to children from pre-k to first grade because it reflects an active imagination and a great sibling relationship dynamic.
Theme: The major theme of the story is family because Ben protects and saves his Anna all day long, and she returns the favor when Ben's frights at night come around.
Star Rating: Four stars.
Personal Response: I liked the book a lot because it showcased a great relationship between siblings, which mirrors the one I have with my little brother, and it shows that they are always there for each other in their times of need.
My Recommendation: I would definitely recommend the book to children from pre-k to first grade because it reflects an active imagination and a great sibling relationship dynamic.
October 2, 2019
This book is about Anna’s younger brother, Ben, and his adventures with her. He acts very brave as he takes on all types of imaginative creatures throughout his house. He protects Anna from bears and other creatures as she picks flowers from the garden. Then the roles switch between Ben and Anna when it becomes nighttime. Anna protects Ben from the darkness and Ben is happy to have a big and strong older sister.
The themes in this book are love, understanding and creativity. The love Ben and Anna have for each other can be seen when Anna plays along with Ben’s adventures and when Ben needs protection at night he gets it from his big sister Anna. I would give this book 5 stars. I can relate to this book because my brothers and I used to play with each other growing up all the time and we would protect each other form imaginary creatures. I would recommend this book because it shows that it is okay to be scared of things and to find comfort in others when needed.
The themes in this book are love, understanding and creativity. The love Ben and Anna have for each other can be seen when Anna plays along with Ben’s adventures and when Ben needs protection at night he gets it from his big sister Anna. I would give this book 5 stars. I can relate to this book because my brothers and I used to play with each other growing up all the time and we would protect each other form imaginary creatures. I would recommend this book because it shows that it is okay to be scared of things and to find comfort in others when needed.
October 2, 2019
Summary: This book is a sweet well-written book that nicely portrays a typical relationship between a younger brother with his older sister. In this case Anna is Ben’s older sister that ends up protecting him after Ben has a long exhausting day fighting bears, and all types of evils to protect his sister.
Major Themes: family, connection, relationship, protection
Response: This is a delightful book that somewhat reminds me of my relationship with my siblings. This book also shows how although typically males are viewed protecting the females, in this case the female also ends up protecting the male which challenges gender roles.
Recommendation: I recommend this book for children to read. It is a charming picture of siblings protecting one another and telling the reader that it is okay for a female to protect the male.
Major Themes: family, connection, relationship, protection
Response: This is a delightful book that somewhat reminds me of my relationship with my siblings. This book also shows how although typically males are viewed protecting the females, in this case the female also ends up protecting the male which challenges gender roles.
Recommendation: I recommend this book for children to read. It is a charming picture of siblings protecting one another and telling the reader that it is okay for a female to protect the male.
February 15, 2018
Does Cornelia Funke have a favorite main character? Of course! A kid who follows the beat of his/her own drum! Ben is so lucky to have the most understanding big sister Anna. Anna participates in his imaginative battles all day long and helps him conquers his fears later at night. Yes, she has an annoying little brother sometimes. But she still loves, helps, and accepts him just the way he is.
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July 5, 2019Another read for my children's literature class. The Wildest Brother is a sweet story about the relationship between a brother and his older sister who puts up with his adventurous antics and wild imagination.
March 4, 2017
Cute book. Anything with a dragon is a bonus for my guys.
March 24, 2017
There is always that one brother, whether it is yours or a friend, who is absolutely wild. Here is his adventure. Nice and clever.
February 2, 2020
This is a great book that could teach children to be nice and look out for their siblings.
September 17, 2022
Für mein kind leider total verschreckend er hat jetzt angst sagt er ,sonst ist das Buch schön gestaltet
October 17, 2026
Reading Level: Preschool- 1st Grade
I think this book is perfect for portraying the imaginative side of little brothers and how the older sister always has to go along with the shenanigans of the younger brother. Always protecting and defending the monsters of the kitchen, the green ghouls that rule the bathroom, and the crazy bears that hide in the bushes. Ben, the little brother, has a lion-sized heart and elephant-sized strength, so it's no problem defending and protecting his older sister Anna. He often checks how big his muscles get daily from how much he is always protecting because, you know, it's such a big job being a younger brother. But when the day ends and all Ben's protecting is done, Anna is there protecting him from the dark night shadows before bed. This book is super sweet and shows familial love and imaginative play between siblings, and I think it would be perfect for around the family time and being grateful for one another, around Thanksgiving or even Valentine's Day.
I think this book is perfect for portraying the imaginative side of little brothers and how the older sister always has to go along with the shenanigans of the younger brother. Always protecting and defending the monsters of the kitchen, the green ghouls that rule the bathroom, and the crazy bears that hide in the bushes. Ben, the little brother, has a lion-sized heart and elephant-sized strength, so it's no problem defending and protecting his older sister Anna. He often checks how big his muscles get daily from how much he is always protecting because, you know, it's such a big job being a younger brother. But when the day ends and all Ben's protecting is done, Anna is there protecting him from the dark night shadows before bed. This book is super sweet and shows familial love and imaginative play between siblings, and I think it would be perfect for around the family time and being grateful for one another, around Thanksgiving or even Valentine's Day.
March 29, 2024
Wow! Cornelia Funke knows little brothers well. Lucky for me, my little brother was not this wild. He was cooler than this.
This story does remind me of my nephew. The kid just doesn't stop and it fighting something. Some nights Nephew just can't stop. He's crazy and his imagination is wild.
I thought the artwork, which isn't my favorite sort of fit the story this time.
This story was cute.
This story does remind me of my nephew. The kid just doesn't stop and it fighting something. Some nights Nephew just can't stop. He's crazy and his imagination is wild.
I thought the artwork, which isn't my favorite sort of fit the story this time.
This story was cute.
October 25, 2025
Ben is a brave little boy who protects Anna, his older sister, from imaginary monsters and slimy ghosts. While Ben and Anna play together during the day Ben continues to protect her, but at night he needs someone to make him feel safe. This is a sweet story about sibling love and care for each other. Fun illustrations.
May 6, 2025
Eine süße Geschichte und wieder sehr witzig illustriert
November 8, 2016
Goodreads #7
Summary:
Ben is a wild little boy with a huge imagination. He likes to use his sister, Anna’s make up to draw scares and make fake blood but when she catches him she tickles him all over. He tells her the blood comes from monsters and that he will protect her because he is lionhearted and elephant-strong. He fights monsters, ghosts, burglars, and scary animals in order to protect his sister. However, in the evening when it is time for bed and Ben gets scared, he crawls into bed with his big sister and she protects him.
Themes:
The theme of this book is that siblings are there to support us. Just as Anna needed her little brother to protect just as much as Ben needed his big sister. Even if a child does not have a sibling they may be supported by a neighborhood friend or cousin who watches out for them just as they would watch out for the neighborhood friend or cousin.
Personal Response:
This book reminds me of when I was little and would play with my own siblings. My sister and I would build fairy houses in the backyard while my brother would play more rough games with the neighborhood boys. My brother always would look after me when we were playing outside. However, when it came to school I would always stand up for him because he was my brother and I cared about him. I will always support my siblings and they will always support me because that is what family is for.
Recommendation:
I personally would not recommend this book to read to children because I think it supports stereotypes that are not necessarily true. The book makes it seem like only male figures can protect women. Throughout the book the boy does all the fighting and protecting while the girl plays with makeup and in the garden. However, I do appreciate the message that siblings are there to support each other, I just believe it could be approached a different way.
Summary:
Ben is a wild little boy with a huge imagination. He likes to use his sister, Anna’s make up to draw scares and make fake blood but when she catches him she tickles him all over. He tells her the blood comes from monsters and that he will protect her because he is lionhearted and elephant-strong. He fights monsters, ghosts, burglars, and scary animals in order to protect his sister. However, in the evening when it is time for bed and Ben gets scared, he crawls into bed with his big sister and she protects him.
Themes:
The theme of this book is that siblings are there to support us. Just as Anna needed her little brother to protect just as much as Ben needed his big sister. Even if a child does not have a sibling they may be supported by a neighborhood friend or cousin who watches out for them just as they would watch out for the neighborhood friend or cousin.
Personal Response:
This book reminds me of when I was little and would play with my own siblings. My sister and I would build fairy houses in the backyard while my brother would play more rough games with the neighborhood boys. My brother always would look after me when we were playing outside. However, when it came to school I would always stand up for him because he was my brother and I cared about him. I will always support my siblings and they will always support me because that is what family is for.
Recommendation:
I personally would not recommend this book to read to children because I think it supports stereotypes that are not necessarily true. The book makes it seem like only male figures can protect women. Throughout the book the boy does all the fighting and protecting while the girl plays with makeup and in the garden. However, I do appreciate the message that siblings are there to support each other, I just believe it could be approached a different way.
September 5, 2014
Basic Plot: Little brother has to protect big sister from all kinds of evil nasties.
Little boys are always slaying dragons and catching burglars. Heck, my son the superhero-knight-cowboy-wizard (his own words) regularly puts out fires (he's also a firefighter), rescues other superheroes, and even wins car races (he's also a racecar driver) just in my living room. True story. Watched it happen right before my eyes just yesterday. Legos may have been involved. This story was great because it really captured that sense of little kid adventure. The way that the story was worded showed how the sister plays along with her brother and has fun as part of his adventures.
The art also played into the sense of wonder by showing the household objects morphing into monsters, the sister's facial expressions, and the little boy's imagined heroism. The end really makes the story, though, really showcasing how much the siblings care about each other. Simply wonderful.
Little boys are always slaying dragons and catching burglars. Heck, my son the superhero-knight-cowboy-wizard (his own words) regularly puts out fires (he's also a firefighter), rescues other superheroes, and even wins car races (he's also a racecar driver) just in my living room. True story. Watched it happen right before my eyes just yesterday. Legos may have been involved. This story was great because it really captured that sense of little kid adventure. The way that the story was worded showed how the sister plays along with her brother and has fun as part of his adventures.
The art also played into the sense of wonder by showing the household objects morphing into monsters, the sister's facial expressions, and the little boy's imagined heroism. The end really makes the story, though, really showcasing how much the siblings care about each other. Simply wonderful.
October 11, 2015
The Wildest Brother by Cornelia Funke, published in 2006.
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Plot: This book discusses the brave deeds of Ben, who fights to protect his sister Anna from monsters, robbers, bears, and wolves as she goes through her day in the house and in the yard. At night though when Ben is scared, he goes sleeps with his big sister, who keeps him safe in the night.
Considerations: This does feature some light violence with toy swords.
Review Citation: Horn Book July/Aug 2006
Selection Source: Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature: A Brief Guide
Recommended Age: Ages 3 - 5.
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Plot: This book discusses the brave deeds of Ben, who fights to protect his sister Anna from monsters, robbers, bears, and wolves as she goes through her day in the house and in the yard. At night though when Ben is scared, he goes sleeps with his big sister, who keeps him safe in the night.
Considerations: This does feature some light violence with toy swords.
Review Citation: Horn Book July/Aug 2006
Selection Source: Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature: A Brief Guide
Recommended Age: Ages 3 - 5.
January 8, 2009
Ben is the wild child brother of the patient Anna, and this brother/sister portrayal is spot-on "sometimes Ben paints red spots onto Anna's desk with her make-up. And he tells her they are the BLOOD DROPS from a MAN-EATING MONSTER." As the Mom of the oldest child daughter and two younger brothers, I especially liked the book - the mix of aggravation and revenge (a good tickling!) but the ending was just perfect. The art my Kerstin Meyer is perfect for the story.
July 2, 2009
This book was amusing. I could see the relationship between the brother and sister. I liked how well the older sister put up with her rambunctious and energetic little brother who had an overactive imagination. The ending was quite sweet as well. The illustrations were fun. I might recommend.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
February 25, 2013
Ben is a wild brother who wants to protect his sister from all of the scary monsters in the world. He protects her all day, but then it gets dark and is bedtime and then Ben goes to his sister for her to protect him. Good story for children to see that we all have moments when we are afraid and moments when we are brave. There are people in our lives who can and will protect us. Shows a good and realistic view of sibling relationships.
April 7, 2011
This teaches kids that no matter how brave and fearless you are it is always good to have someone there to protect and help you too. This book is full of adjectives and literary techniques that you could introduce to your students such as bolding words for emphasis.
January 30, 2012
Funke details through simple prose and Myer tickles with fun illustrations the high and low of an imaginative little brother and his older sister. The sibling relationship is funny and sweet and one I have seen in my own younger brother and now my daughter and son.
August 3, 2012
A pretty good book. I read it real quickly, but it was too small to read, but I love to get new books on my shelf and it was quick so I read it and I recommend it for about 3-6 yEAR olds because it doesn't include much writing and the writing is very big.
January 24, 2013
I loved the positive way the big sister/little brother relationship was portrayed in this story. It teaches big sisters that they can have fun with little brother's crazy antics. It teaches little brothers that big sisters can be protective and loving. Cute story and great illustrations!
February 22, 2020
Ben is brave as a lion, and strong as an elephant, and he spends the day protecting his big sister Anna from wild beasts and all types of monsters that want to devour her. But when night falls it's an entirely different story.
April 9, 2008
I read this with my 8 year old daughter, it's a nice easy read for one in 2nd or 3rd grade.
April 13, 2008
ages 3-6 the adventures of a fearless (during the day) younger brother and his older sister.
October 29, 2008
Imaginative and well illustrated book for older sisters and younger brothers about being brave and protecting and playing with each other.
November 3, 2008
Heartwarming story about a brother and sister. Funny cartoonist illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews