Sisters and Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Genre: Nonfiction)

A.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin. 2008. SISTERS AND BROTHERS: SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ANIMAL WORLD. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375967

B. SUMMARY
In Sisters and Brothers, authors Steve Jenkins and Robin Page provide brief yet informative and engaging descriptions of the sibling relationships of 19 animals (which include the sibling-less giant anteater) and the characteristics of their relationships. The information is presented in accessible language and has a high interest factor due to the fascinating information on each animal. For example, the giant anteater is an only child and stays with its mother for two years; young cichlids grow alongside their adopted catfish siblings; baby Nile crocodiles learn the value of cooperation since before birth; and, young grizzly bear cubs will fight until one leaves home to search for a different territory to call its own.

Besides describing the way these animals interact with each other, other information is also provided such as their habitats, what they eat, their reproduction, etc. The animals featured in this book are African elephants, Gould’s long-eared bats, Nine-banded armadillos, New Mexico whiptail lizards, naked mole rats, termites, grizzly bears, spotted hyenas, black widow spiders, cheetahs, peregrine falcons, wild turkeys, beavers, Nile crocodiles, European shrews, great crested grebe, cichlids, Asian koels, and the Giant anteater.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sisters and Brothers by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page is an informational picture book that describes the sibling relationships of certain animals in the animal kingdom. Though the target audience is young children, this book can also be appreciated by older children and even adults. The facts are presented in simple language, and details about each animal, though brief are succinct and sufficiently detailed. There is a list of animal facts at the end of the book, providing a few more details about each animal featured. There is also a list of suggested books for further reading.

The book is well-organized with reference aids such as headings which help the reader identify the focus for each animal, e.g. the heading “One at a time” for the African elephants and bats; “Quadruplets” for Nine-banded armadillos and New Mexico whiptail lizards; “A large family” for naked mole rats and termites; and many more.

Besides the interesting facts, the illustrations are another highlight of this book. The visually arresting illustrations serve to engage young readers’ interest. The book contains the authors’ cut- and torn- paper collages which are bold and striking, taking up most of the pages in the book. Though the writing provides factual information about the animal siblings, the writing style is engaging and interesting and not mired in tedious details. This engaging and well-written book will serve to encourage young children’s interest in animals and science.

D. AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
Winner, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes for Excellence in Science Books (2009)

School Library Journal: “Eye-catching, and with an interesting approach to the animal world, this book should appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests.”

Booklist, Starred Review: “The sibling focus is a way to include a wealth of fascinating science, which is expanded in the detailed back matter that presents more facts about each animal. Children older as well as younger than the target audience will want to thumb through this fascinating picture book.”

E.CONNECTIONS
* This book can be used in a Science lesson to help students understand the variety of animals in the ecological system and their interdependence.
* The book can also be used as part of a Language Arts lesson focusing on the theme of “siblings” – children can be asked to describe their feelings about having siblings or not having siblings (in the case of single children). They can then be encouraged to write about their feelings in the form of poetry or a narrative essay.
* As a further extension, students can be encouraged to do research on other animals not featured in the book and find out if other animals display similar interdependence as portrayed in the book.