We Are Brothers

PreS-Gr 2--A young boy learns to leap boldly into the unknown with the help of his supportive older brother. In the summer, a favorite pastime for the narrator is playing in the swimming hole near his family's lake house. Every year, the child watches and cheers as his brother effortlessly climbs to the top of a huge rock and fearlessly splashes into the water. Always too afraid to try the legendary jump himself, the little brother is apprehensive when told it's his turn. The lyrical text evocatively details the step-by-step journey to the top of the precipice: "The tree branch feels warm and rugged, familiar and encouraging, even." When self-doubt sets in ("What if I slip? What if I miss? What if I die?"), he quiets his thoughts by focusing on the mantra, "Breath. Heart. Breath, breath, heart." Claverie's pastel illustrations, on textured, brown, handmade paper, are full of nuances, like the successful jump reflected in a close-up of big brother's watchful, protective gaze. A series of metaphoric sketches show the young boy's fantasy transformation into a cat, a bird, and triumphantly, a fish. VERDICT A lovely story that celebrates the joys of summertime and steadfast sibling bonds.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.