My Brother Dan's Delicious

by Steven L. Layne

Joey has everything going for him: he's smart, he's finally eight (and a half), and his parents at last understand he's old enough to be left at home alone until his older brother, Dan, comes home.

But maybe things aren't as good as they seem. Joey is also everything monsters that enjoy pan-fried boys look for. To a monster, he is just a delicious, defenseless morsel.

Fortunately, Joey has the quick wit to convince the monster that is slobbering under the bed, lurking in the shadows by the back door, and whose stomach is growling in the basement that his brother, Dan, would make a more suitable meal. After all, Dan is not as smart as Joey, he's bigger, and he eats all of his vegetables. What better boy-buffet could a monster ask for?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Award-winning author and educator Steven L. Layne is the director of the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where he is also a professor of literacy education. He is a respected literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker, and featured author at conferences and literary events worldwide. He lives with his wife and children in Saint Charles, Illinois.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious example of persuasion! A bit gives all sorts of reasons why monsters should eat Dan instead of him. The ending is a neat surprise, and really shows a healthy brother to brother relationship.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for modeling problem and solution writing.

[Libby Forgues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: Chuck Galey

The soft evening colors in each full-page drawing throughout the book will calm students down. A good book to use by teachers if you are looking for a picture book about persuasive writing. A cute book about a young boy who is happy his parents trust him to be alone for a bit, however, he discovers it is a bit scary and that maybe there is a monster hiding somewhere in his home. He tries to convince that nonexisting monster that he should wait for his brother Dan to come home because he would taste even more delicious.

Copyright 2003 by Steven L. Layne
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pelican Publishing Company (January 1, 1736)

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Chuck Galey is pretty dang awesome. I love his illustrations; always have, always will. Have you read Jazz Cats? I love that one! In My Brother Dan's Delicious, Galey doesn't disappoint, with colorful drawings of monsters, cats, and the brothers Joey and Dan. My problem? I hated the way the story was written. The match-up between text and pictures didn't flow and was actually pretty jarring. I see in other reviews that teachers like this book for its introduction to persuasive writing. I agree to a certain extent, but it just didn't work for me. Not a fan.

[Danielle Monroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first read the title of this book, I thought that the apostrophe s in the title was possessive and I was going to find out what his brother Dan owned that was delicious. Little did I know that the title was calling his brother Dan delicious! This is a very silly tale about a kid being home alone. It would be a fun one to share with kids that may be worried about monsters.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read aloud about a boy that is home alone for the first time. He is scared of all kinds of fake things and offers to let the monsters eat his older brother Dan instead of him. He is trying to convince them of all the reasons why his brother would be better to eat than him. Cute story to show persuasion writing.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to my twitter friend, Dawn Little, for this recommendation. I love this story. She recommends using it at as mentor text for persuasive writing. I whole hardedly agree. This will be a very useful book in many ways for the elementary classroom teachers.

[Kelly Triplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for teachers to use during language arts lessons, particularly persuasive writing. The vocabulary would also be great to incorporate into discussions/lessons for elementary students. This book would also be great for just a fun read as well.

[Hira · Rating 5 out of 5]

picture book-good for persuasion concept

[Jen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to teach my eighth graders persuasive writing and they loved it! Very cute story with lots of voice and good word choice. alliteration throughout!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th grade favorite - my students loved it. Great for persuasive writing!

[A. Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great mentor text for older students, and a great book to use along with the Three Billy Goats Gruff.

[Tiffany Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story a boy is trying to persuade a monster to eat his older brother instead of him! A very cute story! My cooperating teacher included this in her unit on persuasive writing!

[Dana]

Look here for ideas on persuasive writing and using this book as a mentor text. https://teachingwithpicturebooks.word...

[kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful read-aloud for persuasive writing.

[Ashley Greenfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good read-aloud, and could be used when discussing writing pieces.

[Jocelyn Kebbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to help teach persuasive writing to yr students!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not imagine what this book was about. But, as it unfolded, I could see what the boy was trying to do. What a cool book!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to use for persuasive writing as an intro, but also very strange. :-)

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny argument/persuasive talk to imaginary monsters. . . with a twist.