Just Like My Brother by Gianna Marino is a cute story. Most toddlers will like the repetition of the text as the characters speak and as the giraffe moves along with the other animals repeating the same question (have you seen my(their) big brother) adding something new about said big brothers physical characteristics or is personality, then getting similar answers from the other animals who tell the little giraffe they too have the same qualities as their older brother.
Yet, with all the goodness that Just Like My Brother has, sadly the ending was weak for me. No spoilers, but the ending had this climatic build up (look at the illustrations for a possible surprise) and then a “politically correct” ending that softens the blow of what could have happened. Perhaps it is the only ending as it is a sweet, comfortable story, but somehow, I think my ending could work as well.
There are the fun illustrations that have good, rich colors. These make the story come alive and will keep the toddler’s attention. But the story itself is flat (or perhaps for adults only, perhaps children will like the soft ending). This book could work for the older sibling (in a brother/brother or brother/sister setting, as long as the brother is older) who is having a bit of an adjustment period to a new sibling (look at what you have to look forward to: the younger sibling looking up to you) or for the younger child who is a fan of the older sibling.
