We Are Brothers by Yves NadonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A younger brother, encouraged by his older brother, makes a big leap in this summertime coming-of-age story. Facing his fears, he now envisions himself--as he always has with his brother--as cat, bird, fish--to achieve his own bold feat.
The reader senses that author Yves Nadon is writing about his childhood memories at a lake in his native Quebec. The exposition is lyrical, motivating, yet soothing. We connect with this younger brother's desire to follow in his brave big brother's footsteps. Young readers will be inspired; adult readers will express concerns about the possible dangers that could come with this rite of passage. That's what makes this tale exhilarating. Nadon challenges our modern-day social sensibilities with a feat that no one would bat an eye at during the '70s.
Illustrations by Jean Claverie are done in pastels and a sharp carbon pencil on recycled paper, which convey memory and reflection. The spreads that show the main character transforming from cat to boy or boy to fish will transfix readers.
Claverie, with input from Nadon, sketched the brothers as African-American. Unlike some stories, where this treatment feels forced in attempts to create more picture books with children of color, it is natural in "We are Brothers," because this book is not about culture, it is about a childhood experience, binding two brothers for life.
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