Cockroach Cooties

Rating:
Summary: bugs to bullies!
Review: Bullies are a problem in schools and Yep's gentle story of two brothers working together to outwit the bully works on many levels. Using the fascination with insects is an effective plot device that will keep 8 - 10 year boys interested in a story that could help their social skills.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful brother tale
Review: I am an adult who loves children's books and I found this one charming. It reminded me very much of my nephews, both the portrayal of the complex of sibling rivalry -- the older brother here thinks he is the only one with the right to beat up the younger one so he protects him from bullies while reserving the right to whack at him himself, the contrasts in the two boys' personalities, the way the younger one loves bugs while the older one is horrified by them. The relationship with the bully rings true for school boy fights as well as the discovery the brothers make about why the bully is so mean and the truce they develop with him. Lots of humor and gently affectionate, I can't wait to read it to my nephews.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful brother tale
Review: I am an adult who loves children's books and I found this one charming. It reminded me very much of my nephews, both the portrayal of the complex of sibling rivalry -- the older brother here thinks he is the only one with the right to beat up the younger one so he protects him from bullies while reserving the right to whack at him himself, the contrasts in the two boys' personalities, the way the younger one loves bugs while the older one is horrified by them. The relationship with the bully rings true for school boy fights as well as the discovery the brothers make about why the bully is so mean and the truce they develop with him. Lots of humor and gently affectionate, I can't wait to read it to my nephews.

Rating:
Summary: A warm, involving story.
Review: Streetwise Teddy avoids bullies and trouble but his younger brother seems to invite them and Teddy finds himself on the losing end of a bully's wrath in this gentle story about brothers, friends, and pets. Add a Chinese family's interactions and you have a warm and involving story.