Just like my brother by Gianna Marino

A gap-toothed and knobbly-kneed giraffe calf is playing hide-and-seek with her older brother. As she gambols across the savannah, she asks various animals if they've seen her brother, and describes him. The animals are confused - she's looking for a tall giraffe, but she's tall! "Not as tall as my brother." Says the calf. Her brother is brave, but she's brave too. Is she really as brave has her brother? When a leopard shows up, the calf will show just how brave she can be... just like her big brother.

Marino's sweet, repetitive story and light-filled watercolors combine to create a delightful story that kids and caregivers will want to read over and over again. The gentle call and answer, "You are tall" "not as tall as my brother." encourages listeners to read along and the numerous little secrets in the art will repay multiple reads. In most of the spreads, it's easy to see the watchful big brother, guarding his little sister as she playfully searches for him, but a more careful look shows a possible danger - a furry, spotted leopard who's stalking the calf. Or is he? The various animals stand out sharply against the yellow grass and green-blue sky, luminous with light. Rollings waves of the hills hide various creatures behind curled ferns, grasses, and a plump baobab tree.

Verdict: A lovely addition to Marino's comforting, thoughtful work and a great book to add to your storytime rotation. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780425290606; Published April 2019 by Viking Children's Books; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library