Review: Grimes, N., & Benny, M. (2008). Oh, brother!

Grimes, N., & Benny, M. (2008). Oh, brother! New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Oh, Brother! Is a picture book that tells the story of two stepbrothers coming together as a blended family through a collection of lively poems and illustrations.  Xavier was fine with just Mami and his new stepdad, but considers Chris one too many bodies and voices, a “fake,” and a rival for her mother’s affection.  

He attempts to go his own way, but ultimately “no way will I ever call him brother” evolves into his realization that “Mr. Perfect” is dealing with his own emotions and fears of being abandoned, as he feels that he was discarded by his own mother.  This is a set of confusing feelings with which Xavier can relate, as he misses his own distant Papi, while simultaneously realizing life is better and more peaceful with him gone. Their commiseration leads to late-night jokes, baseball playing, and finally the names “brother,” and “hermano.”  In a beautiful concluding poem titled “A New Song,” the young narrator compares family to a song, which can be added and enriched by new notes “anytime we like.”

Nikki Grimes’ trademark poetry shines with warm feelings of familial harmony, centering on diverse characters of Hispanic and African American heritage.  Powerful yet softly painted watercolors combined with acrylics capture the emotional struggles imaginatively, the way a child might visualize, as well as the final content expressions and loving resolutions made.  The characters are real and accessible, the rhyme schemes short and pleasant, and young audiences preschool and up will be drawn into the story while learning greater empathy and understanding for others. Additionally, the book underscores the idea that true family is often who we choose to commit ourselves to and vice versa, and a great resource for addressing blended families with young readers.

Click here for a related educator’s guide to using the book.