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Another Brother
Life for Davy was glorious as long as he had his mother and father to himself. But then he got a brother, Petey. When Davy sang, Petey cried. When Davy created a masterpiece, Petey spat up on it.And then he got another brother, Mike! And another, Stu! And another, Gil! Until he had TWELVE LITTLE BROTHERS! And that was only the beginning!
36 pages, ebook
First published January 31, 2012
3 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cordell
70 books175 followersMatthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife. Matthew lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, writer Julie Halpern, and their daughter, Romy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
May 14, 2017
Davy was happy being an only child sheep, but bam-bam-bam - 12 brothers came along.
Soon he had 12 little shadows, following him around, doing whatever Davy did.
(My favorite is when they're all pretending to be monkeys, but I can't find a picture of that. It's hilarious!)
The funny thing is, when his brothers all develop interests of their own, and stop tailing him, Davy finds he kind of misses them.
This is a cute story, with adorable Sandra Boyntonish drawings. Kids should love it.
Soon he had 12 little shadows, following him around, doing whatever Davy did.
(My favorite is when they're all pretending to be monkeys, but I can't find a picture of that. It's hilarious!)
The funny thing is, when his brothers all develop interests of their own, and stop tailing him, Davy finds he kind of misses them.
This is a cute story, with adorable Sandra Boyntonish drawings. Kids should love it.
July 3, 2019
Davy was happy as an only child, with all of his parents' love and attention. Then a younger brother named Petey arrived. And then another one, named Mike. One by one, more brothers showed up, until Davy was the eldest of twelve! Suddenly, he was never alone - always shadowed by his younger brothers, always being imitated, until he was fed up. But would being left alone turn out as happily as he'd thought?
This is a 'new sibling' book with a vengeance! I don't think I've ever seen an example of the story type quite like Another Brother, which features a very large (sheep) family indeed. The humor builds, as each new brother arrives, and culminates with the scenes in which all the brothers' names are listed together, as they follow Davy around. There is a certain poignancy to the moment when our ovine hero finally gets his wish, and a corresponding pleasure, when his first arrives. Matthew Cordell's story is well constructed, and his artwork, done in pen and ink and watercolor, humorous. Recommended to anyone looking for a 'new sibling' story with a slightly different sensibility.
This is a 'new sibling' book with a vengeance! I don't think I've ever seen an example of the story type quite like Another Brother, which features a very large (sheep) family indeed. The humor builds, as each new brother arrives, and culminates with the scenes in which all the brothers' names are listed together, as they follow Davy around. There is a certain poignancy to the moment when our ovine hero finally gets his wish, and a corresponding pleasure, when his first arrives. Matthew Cordell's story is well constructed, and his artwork, done in pen and ink and watercolor, humorous. Recommended to anyone looking for a 'new sibling' story with a slightly different sensibility.
September 24, 2023
Yesterday I was in the library and looked up at the end of the aisle to see some framed art. Recently there have been shows by library staff and by local high-school students. This was different: this was original art by picture book creators. Many were instantly recognizable: Dan Santat, Rosemary Wells, David Wiesner, Erin Stead, Molly Idle. Many more were by recognizable names, but in a style, or medium, or subject outside of what I knew. Still others didn't ring any bells.
But I was enchanted by the Cora Grace collection, on display as a fund raiser by the library Friends to purchase furniture for neurodivergent patrons. So, a great art show for a worthy cause. And Matthew Cordell was the artist who provided the poster for the collection. I checked out every book of his they had, and I'll be doing the same with others.
This was the earliest of his books. Those sheep are adorable.
Library copy
But I was enchanted by the Cora Grace collection, on display as a fund raiser by the library Friends to purchase furniture for neurodivergent patrons. So, a great art show for a worthy cause. And Matthew Cordell was the artist who provided the poster for the collection. I checked out every book of his they had, and I'll be doing the same with others.
This was the earliest of his books. Those sheep are adorable.
Library copy
September 15, 2020
I really like this book. As the second oldest of nine siblings, I relate. "He's copying me," was a common theme at our house when I was really young. Of course, it was probably more common for me to copy my older sister than for my brothers to copy me. By the time the fifth child was born, we were fighting for her attention.
March 6, 2018
Simple sheep book about brothers who do the same thing (with tiny plot twist at the end). Overall, nothing spectacular.
November 13, 2021
Very cute. My five year old was very pleased when a sister shows up at the end. "That was TOO MANY brothers, Mom."
February 11, 2012
Richie's Picks: ANOTHER BROTHER by Matthew Cordell, Feiwel and Friends, January 2012, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-312-64324-9
"When Davy sang a tender ballad, Dad cried.
When Davy knitted a wooly masterpiece, Mom rejoiced
When Davy sheared his own dandy hairdo, Mom and Dad cried and rejoiced.
But, things change..."
"It's close to midnight, something evil's lurking in the dark.
Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart.
You try to scream, but terror takes the sound before you make it.
You start to freeze, as horror looks you right between the eyes.
You're paralyzed."
-- Rod Temperton, "Thriller"
What do you find most scary? Ghouls and vampires? Standing on the edge of 150-floor building? The thought of an earthquake under your feet, or an asteroid heading straight for your city?
Well, I'd take any one of those in a heartbeat over what befalls poor Davy who for four glorious years "had Mom and Dad all to himself." That is, until along came:
first Petey
and then Mike
and then Stu
and then Mickey
and then Carl
and then Pip
and then Ralph
and then Tate
and then Lenny
and then Gil
and then Ned
and then Bob.
For someone like me who has spent a lifetime struggling mightily with the indignities and travails brought about by having to deal with ONE little brother, the notion of being faced with TWELVE of them is truly a horror show.
And so it is pretty weird that ANOTHER BROTHER is actually so dang funny.
Davy and his [eeew] twelve brothers are all these very funny looking sheep who all wear red sneakers just like I do. The twelve brothers all follow Davy around (just like sheep), repeatedly doing the exact same thing that Davy does. Talk about annoying! Every action, every word.
"'Mom!' Davy said. 'Dad! They keep copying me. Tell them to leave me alone!'
"'It's only a phase, Davy,' Mom said. 'Because you're the oldest, your brothers look up to you.'
"'When they get old enough,' said Dad, 'your brothers will have their own interests. Then they won't copy you.'"
(Yeah, right. I seem to be recalling those famous last words from somewhere in the recesses of my mind.)
But then it happens! They finally leave him alone. Hmmm. Guess what happens next?
Matthew Cordell's depiction of this pack of brother sheep is hysterical. And the parents are even more so. There is one illustration that is absolutely classic: The sheep dad, who is suspendered into his pants, and the sheep mother who is jammed into a turtleneck sweater are attempting (with less than stellar results) to sit in traditional living room arm chairs while they have a serious talk with Davy. It really brings out the barnyard inherent in these characters.
Yup. Sheep and endless little brothers. Definitely the stuff of nightmares.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"When Davy sang a tender ballad, Dad cried.
When Davy knitted a wooly masterpiece, Mom rejoiced
When Davy sheared his own dandy hairdo, Mom and Dad cried and rejoiced.
But, things change..."
"It's close to midnight, something evil's lurking in the dark.
Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart.
You try to scream, but terror takes the sound before you make it.
You start to freeze, as horror looks you right between the eyes.
You're paralyzed."
-- Rod Temperton, "Thriller"
What do you find most scary? Ghouls and vampires? Standing on the edge of 150-floor building? The thought of an earthquake under your feet, or an asteroid heading straight for your city?
Well, I'd take any one of those in a heartbeat over what befalls poor Davy who for four glorious years "had Mom and Dad all to himself." That is, until along came:
first Petey
and then Mike
and then Stu
and then Mickey
and then Carl
and then Pip
and then Ralph
and then Tate
and then Lenny
and then Gil
and then Ned
and then Bob.
For someone like me who has spent a lifetime struggling mightily with the indignities and travails brought about by having to deal with ONE little brother, the notion of being faced with TWELVE of them is truly a horror show.
And so it is pretty weird that ANOTHER BROTHER is actually so dang funny.
Davy and his [eeew] twelve brothers are all these very funny looking sheep who all wear red sneakers just like I do. The twelve brothers all follow Davy around (just like sheep), repeatedly doing the exact same thing that Davy does. Talk about annoying! Every action, every word.
"'Mom!' Davy said. 'Dad! They keep copying me. Tell them to leave me alone!'
"'It's only a phase, Davy,' Mom said. 'Because you're the oldest, your brothers look up to you.'
"'When they get old enough,' said Dad, 'your brothers will have their own interests. Then they won't copy you.'"
(Yeah, right. I seem to be recalling those famous last words from somewhere in the recesses of my mind.)
But then it happens! They finally leave him alone. Hmmm. Guess what happens next?
Matthew Cordell's depiction of this pack of brother sheep is hysterical. And the parents are even more so. There is one illustration that is absolutely classic: The sheep dad, who is suspendered into his pants, and the sheep mother who is jammed into a turtleneck sweater are attempting (with less than stellar results) to sit in traditional living room arm chairs while they have a serious talk with Davy. It really brings out the barnyard inherent in these characters.
Yup. Sheep and endless little brothers. Definitely the stuff of nightmares.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
November 18, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date:
Another Brother. / Matthew Cordell. / 2012.
Genre: Fiction.
Format: Picturebook - print.
Plot summary:
"Davy the sheep wishes he had time alone with his parents, as he did before his twelve brothers came along and started imitating his every move, but when his wish comes true Davy misses playing with the youngsters" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
new siblings, older brothers, family, imitation, sheep
Review citation:
"The psychology of the oldest child is well chronicled here. With a delightfully fulfilling ending, Davy (and readers) realize that being the one and only sometimes means being alone, and lonely. The story is a great way to discuss life as a half-empty or half-full vessel, and the very human struggles of sibling rivalry" (Sara Lissa Paulson in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
Children's Choices 2013: Young Readers (Grades 3 - 4)
Recommended age: Ages 6 to 8.
Another Brother. / Matthew Cordell. / 2012.
Genre: Fiction.
Format: Picturebook - print.
Plot summary:
"Davy the sheep wishes he had time alone with his parents, as he did before his twelve brothers came along and started imitating his every move, but when his wish comes true Davy misses playing with the youngsters" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
new siblings, older brothers, family, imitation, sheep
Review citation:
"The psychology of the oldest child is well chronicled here. With a delightfully fulfilling ending, Davy (and readers) realize that being the one and only sometimes means being alone, and lonely. The story is a great way to discuss life as a half-empty or half-full vessel, and the very human struggles of sibling rivalry" (Sara Lissa Paulson in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
Children's Choices 2013: Young Readers (Grades 3 - 4)
Recommended age: Ages 6 to 8.
May 9, 2012
Sheep! Davy the sheep is an indulged only sheep. And then his parents introduce him to a new brother, followed by 11 more. Davy is annoyed by their baby behavior and things only get worse when the brothers begin to copy his every move. His parents promise that they'll grow out of it, and much to my and Davy's surprise, they do! The sheep move onto their own interests and poor Davy is left kind of lonely. How will he solve his problem? With a sweet new baby sister who promises to copy his every move.
I loved the charming sheep pictures and Davy's older brother antics. A great choice for public and school libraries. Recommended for preschool through first grade, even older kids with siblings will appreciate this sweet tale.
I loved the charming sheep pictures and Davy's older brother antics. A great choice for public and school libraries. Recommended for preschool through first grade, even older kids with siblings will appreciate this sweet tale.
February 23, 2012
The sheep and the balloons in the early spread SCREAM "Sandra Boynton", but the humor is less wacky and more kidlike. While most of us do not have 12 siblings, having a younger brother/sister follow your every move is an experience lots of kids go through and Davy's reactions are absolutely believable. The ending is perfect--sweet without saccharine. Well done!
August 27, 2016
Great story about what it's like to be an older sibling when everyone copies you and it's so annoying. But wait, what happens when all your brothers stop doing it? Fortunately, a little sister comes along...
This resonated with my youngest child, a girl, when she read the book and then urged her oldest brother to read it as well. He smiled when he finished it...
This resonated with my youngest child, a girl, when she read the book and then urged her oldest brother to read it as well. He smiled when he finished it...
May 8, 2012
Oh, the trials and tribulations of having a younger sibling who copies your every move. Davy is experiencing that - times 12! At first he dislikes his brothers copying him, but when they outgrow the "phase," he realizes how much fun it is to have a sibling to play with.
Small but evocative line drawings will be fun to pore over with a fellow reader - maybe a sibling?
Small but evocative line drawings will be fun to pore over with a fellow reader - maybe a sibling?
October 30, 2012
Goofy, fresh sibling story. I smile every time I see the mom stuffed into a too tight top and the dad stuffed into too tight pants. Fave details: where Davey is finally alone and bumps down the hill--and lower in mood--all the way across the page, and the lone balloon across the moon when he's in bed. Plus, a super ending!
March 22, 2012
I love, love, love this book. It is so cute and funny. The pictures are freakin' adorable. Definitely on the list of books to buy.
August 11, 2023
For starters, "Another Brother" has one of the most creative, lighthearted, eye-catching covers I've ever seen on a picture book.
Both front cover and also back cover, actually.
As for Davy, the hero of this book, he has so many troubles. Never before have I felt so much sympathy for one long-suffering sheep. Many a formerly-only child will sympathize, too.
ONE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME
The use of repetition. Rhyming can seem very comforting, or clever, to picture book readers. However, it's seldom done really well. So much wittier, more comforting, and far more clever.
THAT CENTERFOLD
Goodreaders, at the middle of this book you'll find something very much like a comic strip. Only better. Again, so clever.
FIVE STARS in honor of the uniqueness and ingenuity of this delightful book. Thank you, author and illustrator and fun-bringer, Matthew Cordell.
Both front cover and also back cover, actually.
As for Davy, the hero of this book, he has so many troubles. Never before have I felt so much sympathy for one long-suffering sheep. Many a formerly-only child will sympathize, too.
ONE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME
The use of repetition. Rhyming can seem very comforting, or clever, to picture book readers. However, it's seldom done really well. So much wittier, more comforting, and far more clever.
THAT CENTERFOLD
Goodreaders, at the middle of this book you'll find something very much like a comic strip. Only better. Again, so clever.
FIVE STARS in honor of the uniqueness and ingenuity of this delightful book. Thank you, author and illustrator and fun-bringer, Matthew Cordell.
April 10, 2018
Summary:
For four years, Davy was an only child and his parents loved him very much. But then after the four years, Davy got a younger brother Petey and Petey didn’t like the things Davy did. Then he got more brothers; Mickey, Carl, Pip, Ralph, Tate, Lenny, Gil, Ned, and Bob. So, there were twelve boys! All of the brothers would copy everything Davy did, and he didn’t like that. But after a while, all the brothers started doing different things, and Davy missed being followed around. Then one morning, Davey did something and someone copied him, it was a little sister for Davey!
Possible Topics:
1. Going from an only child to getting a sibling or multiple.
2. Be open to new ideas.
3. Trust the decisions that your parents make.
For four years, Davy was an only child and his parents loved him very much. But then after the four years, Davy got a younger brother Petey and Petey didn’t like the things Davy did. Then he got more brothers; Mickey, Carl, Pip, Ralph, Tate, Lenny, Gil, Ned, and Bob. So, there were twelve boys! All of the brothers would copy everything Davy did, and he didn’t like that. But after a while, all the brothers started doing different things, and Davy missed being followed around. Then one morning, Davey did something and someone copied him, it was a little sister for Davey!
Possible Topics:
1. Going from an only child to getting a sibling or multiple.
2. Be open to new ideas.
3. Trust the decisions that your parents make.
February 2, 2018
I give this book a 4 star rating.
This book is about Davy. He was the only child till his family had 12 more brother. Davy was use too being an only child but once he had 12 brothers he soon realized he wasn't alone. This lead to Davy always being followed. But one day after Davy's brothers didn't follow him, he felt lonely. Davy learned that it's not okay to just to be by hisself.
Ways to use this in a classroom
1) Address the problem of having new ways to deal with people and how to handle it properly
2) Finding things /activities to do with your siblings
3)Have students come up with a family picture to Davy's family
4) Have students draw their own dream family
This book is about Davy. He was the only child till his family had 12 more brother. Davy was use too being an only child but once he had 12 brothers he soon realized he wasn't alone. This lead to Davy always being followed. But one day after Davy's brothers didn't follow him, he felt lonely. Davy learned that it's not okay to just to be by hisself.
Ways to use this in a classroom
1) Address the problem of having new ways to deal with people and how to handle it properly
2) Finding things /activities to do with your siblings
3)Have students come up with a family picture to Davy's family
4) Have students draw their own dream family
April 18, 2018
Cordell uses his ingenious visual and narrative style to explore the sibling problems a sheep has to deal with. Young readers or listeners might get some help from an attuned adult who is nearby to assist in processing their issues with siblings. This is a feeling book as Davey deals with the irritations of mimicking brothers and sisters, and the loneliness when they all go in different directions. That all sounds way too serious and a bit glum—don’t let that deflect you, because mostly this is just too much fun.
May 25, 2019
Daniel, petit agneau, vivait une vie passionnante avec ses parents en tant que fils unique, jusqu'au jour où ces derniers lui annoncent qu'il a... un autre frère! Ce nouvel agneau réclame beaucoup trop l'attention des parents selon Daniel. Mais celui-ci n'est pas au bout de ses peines: il aura un autre frère, et un autre encore, et un autre, et un autre... Un album simple aux illustrations proches du comic pour apprendre aux aînés la valeur de la fraternité à travers la jalousie de Daniel.
January 16, 2021
Third book read by Cordell and this one was more word driven than the previous two.
I was expecting a your having a brother type book and kid freaking out and learning about pregnancy etc.
Not so - Cordell turns that on its head and this is a sheep that has 12 brothers.
Basically it is young brothers copy older brother and he doesn't like it.
Young brothers grow and get their own identity and stop imitating older brother.
He likes it and then he realises he misses them.
It has a cute ending and the illustrations are well done.
A good little story.
I was expecting a your having a brother type book and kid freaking out and learning about pregnancy etc.
Not so - Cordell turns that on its head and this is a sheep that has 12 brothers.
Basically it is young brothers copy older brother and he doesn't like it.
Young brothers grow and get their own identity and stop imitating older brother.
He likes it and then he realises he misses them.
It has a cute ending and the illustrations are well done.
A good little story.
August 19, 2017
LOVED this book! It is whimsical and humorous, but has a nice little lesson. Davy is an only child...for a while. Then he gets a brother, then another brother, then another...and so on. All his little brothers copy him and it annoys Davy.
The illustrations are funny and capture the story. And there is repetition that add to the humor of the story and the storyline itself.
The illustrations are funny and capture the story. And there is repetition that add to the humor of the story and the storyline itself.
April 3, 2018
The heydays of being an only sheep are over for Davy when Petey comes along. But it doesn't end there! Will his brothers ever leave him alone??!! In a word, yes. But is that what Davy really wants? Thankfully, someone new saves the day. A charming, well-told story about growing up in a large family--with delightful pictures!
November 21, 2018
Davy goes from being an only child to suddenly having 12 brothers copying him which is obviously annoying. Except one day they stop and he realizes how lonely it is now that none of them want to play.
My 4 year old really likes this book. It's short, silly, and the art is really basic B&W with a few splashes of color.
My 4 year old really likes this book. It's short, silly, and the art is really basic B&W with a few splashes of color.
November 19, 2021
I really enjoyed the storyline and illustrations in this book. The topic of getting new siblings and the new emotions that come with this experience is extremely relatable to most students. This would be a great read-aloud story. This could also lead to discussing emotions and sibling relationships.
August 10, 2022
This was a silly one we just grabbed off the library shelf but my 5 year old who has a new baby brother enjoyed it. Does well to show how it can be really annoying to have someone copy your every move but once it’s gone you miss it! Might take it out from the library again for that stars happening in our house.
March 8, 2023
love this book and it has a good message along with it! This would be a great book to read to a class because it may be helpful for students who are struggling at home with a lot of siblings. The illustrations are simple but they look really good and go along with the story well! I would recommend this book for parents to read at home as well.
February 27, 2018
Davey the sheep has his mom and dad to himself for four years, until a little brother came along. Then another brother, then another - until he had twelve little brothers. They all copied everything he did, which annoyed him. One day they all stopped. He got lonely - until ....
Funny story.
Funny story.
April 30, 2018
The delightful illustrations make this book extra fun to read with a young child. There is so much to look at on each page as each of Davy's brothers displays his unique personality, even when they are copying Davy. What a sweet tale!
February 14, 2019
This book is spot-on for anyone who has siblings. Kids will be able to relate to this really well.
Plus, the expressions on the parents' faces are my favorite. Cordell nailed the exhausted parent look.
Plus, the expressions on the parents' faces are my favorite. Cordell nailed the exhausted parent look.
April 18, 2023
This was such a cute book! I really liked the illustrations, the story, and the ending. Davy the sheep loves being the center of attention until he has a sibling or two. But the ending is super darling and rather funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews