Product Description

In this sequel to the popular storybook WE'LL PAINT THE OCTOPUS RED, Isaac is almost three years old and Emma is in elementary school. Emma misses the adoring baby brother Isaac used to be. Now that he’s older, he’s a pain.

Emma used to be able to make Isaac laugh. He used to let her hold him without squirming. But no more. Now Isaac spits out his food and knocks down her blocks when Emma tries to play with him. Sometimes his behavior is downright embarrassing. Emma thinks Isaac would be more fun if he’d hurry up and learn some of the sign language she and her mom are trying to teach him. His slower pace is maddening at times!

THE BEST WORST BROTHER is an endearing and realistic look at how a relationship evolves between a typically developing older sister and her younger brother with a developmental disability. It also shows how sign language can help a child that acquires speech more slowly. As Emma is pleased to discover, Isaac can learn to sign, he just learns when he’s ready.

Kids and families who loved Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen’s earlier book with the same characters will want this one too. For those who recognize aspects of their own family in the story, it will be comforting to read about this "warts and all" sibling relationship. Charlotte Fremaux’s realistic illustrations are deft and colorful, appealing to a slightly older audience than the previous book’s. Text and illustrations mesh beautifully, making THE BEST WORST BROTHER a delightful tale to read at home or share at school.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #719811 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 26 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781890627683
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4–This sequel to We'll Paint the Octopus Red (Woodbine, 1998) follows the relationship between three-year-old Isaac, who has Down's syndrome, and his older sister, Emma, who is frustrated by his slow language and motor development. Because he does not yet have the skills required for speech, the family attempts to teach him sign language, which is a transitional system of communication for children with Down's syndrome. Emma works hard to make her brother understand, but he doesn't seem to make much progress. However, by the end of the book, he demonstrates that he is capable of learning, albeit at a slower pace than she expects. Emma, in turn, shows more understanding of his developmental disability and takes great pleasure in his successes. The illustrations are softly colorful, but Emma and Isaac have identical facial features and expressions. Children who have not read the earlier title may not know this is a story about this condition until the question-and-answer section at the end. The text is simple but the message could be shared with a fairly wide audience.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"Siblings will find this book...both educational and encouraging." -- NDSS Update, Fall 2005

"This book would be a nice addition to a children's library at home or school." -- Down Syndrome News, Volume 28, Number 6

"This is an endearing and realistic look at an evolving sibling relationship." -- NADS News, November 2005

"[R]efreshingly honest look...showing negative emotions while retaining a believable sense of optimism and affection." -- Notes from the Windowsill (Flipside Families bibliography)

"[W]onderfully written and illustrated." -- NewsLine (Federation for Children with Special Needs), Volume 26, Number 2, Fall 2005

About the Author
Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen is the author of WE'LL PAINT THE OCTOPUS RED (Woodbine House, 1998)and the award-winning ELIZABETI'S DOLL picture book series, among others. She has a Master of Fine Arts in writing and currently lives with her husband and two daughters in La Center, Washington.

Charlotte Fremaux has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil. With a background in art history and studio art, she has worked as a fine artist, graphic designer, and illustrator, and finds illustrating for children the best of all. She lives with her husband and teenage son in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C.

Customer Reviews

The Best Worst Brother (title)
My family and I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow for my kids (2-6 years) and it had a very valuable lesson to learn about their little brother who also was born with Down Syndrome. The pictures are very true to life. It helps give some insight into our son's future and how we can handle behaviors in a positive way. Thanks. We need more books like this one.

An engaging picturebook about an older sister struggling to get along with her three-year-old brother with Down syndrome
The Best Worst Brother is an engaging picturebook about an older sister struggling to get along with her three-year-old brother with Down syndrome. Her brother can't talk yet, so she and her parents try to teach him sign language to help him communicate. She is frustrated that her brother isn't as cheerful or as easy to please as he was when he was a baby, while at the same time he isn't grown up enough to talk or play with her. But an exciting visit to the school's Open House day shows that Isaac really is learning and growing up - one day at a time - and that he really is her "Best Worst Brother". A brief section of questions and answers about sign language rounds out this excellent book especially meant to be shared for young children with family members or friends who have Down syndrome.

An engaging picturebook about an older sister struggling to get along with her three-year-old brother with Down syndrome
The Best Worst Brother is an engaging picturebook about an older sister struggling to get along with her three-year-old brother with Down syndrome. Her brother can't talk yet, so she and her parents try to teach him sign language to help him communicate. She is frustrated that her brother isn't as cheerful or as easy to please as he was when he was a baby, while at the same time he isn't grown up enough to talk or play with her. But an exciting visit to the school's Open House day shows that Isaac really is learning and growing up - one day at a time - and that he really is her "Best Worst Brother". A brief section of questions and answers about sign language rounds out this excellent book especially meant to be shared for young children with family members or friends who have Down syndrome.