Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

A heartfelt reflection on the trials and joys of sibling dynamics.A multiracial cast of characters with varied skin tones and hair textures greets readers on the cover, and many will note that each of the younger-looking children peering out a window (the eponymous little brothers and sisters) bears a physical resemblance to one of the older siblings pictured below. There are four pairs in all, and at the beginning of the book Arnaldo depicts them in various scenarios in which the younger kids are "all longing for the same few things…." These "things" translate into pictures of the children looking with envy at older kids' more-sophisticated toys and feeling put upon by or excluded from the big kids' play. None of the scenes depict outright cruelty on the part of the older siblings, which allows the eventual shift to highlight the positive aspects of being a little brother or sister to feel not only plausible, but natural. The change happens when a little sister longs for "invisibility" after breaking her big sister's trophy, and then this desire morphs into hoping for a "second chance." A softness in the big sister's expression and stance suggests she'll grant forgiveness, and the ensuing pages show big siblings demonstrating similar generosity as they offer a "helping hand" and otherwise act as protectors, co-conspirators, teachers, leaders, and finally, satisfyingly, as "best friend[s]."Big love for this little book. (Picture book. 3-8)

ALA Booklist (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Younger siblings often want to be just like their older brothers or sisters: to be included, to join in their fun, to be half of a team. In short sentences and appealing mixed-media illustrations, Arnaldo deftly reveals the dilemma of being the younger child. Four sets of siblings, with varying skin tones and hair textures, reveal a few of the bad and the good aspects of being the younger kid. At the book's beginning, the large double-page-spread pictures show the older children having fun together playing soccer, sharing a password for their tree fort, and lounging on the couch watching TV. Meanwhile, the younger kids aren't included in the game, can't enter the fort, and are relegated to the floor for television viewing. The second half shows the happier side of having a sibling; the older kids become "A helping hand. A bodyguard" and demonstrate their genuine affection for the youngsters. This universal take on the positives and negatives of the pecking order will ring true to and be enjoyed by children.

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

An omniscient narrator persuasively argues that all younger siblings are "longing for the same few things," such as "a place on the team" as a picture shows four younger sibs sidelined during their four older sibs' soccer game. The emotionally attentive art tracks the younger kids' gradual transition from being seen as underlings to being the source of their protective older sibs' pride.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A heartfelt reflection on the trials and joys of sibling dynamics.A multiracial cast of characters with varied skin tones and hair textures greets readers on the cover, and many will note that each of the younger-looking children peering out a window (the eponymous little brothers and sisters) bears a physical resemblance to one of the older siblings pictured below. There are four pairs in all, and at the beginning of the book Arnaldo depicts them in various scenarios in which the younger kids are "all longing for the same few things…." These "things" translate into pictures of the children looking with envy at older kids' more-sophisticated toys and feeling put upon by or excluded from the big kids' play. None of the scenes depict outright cruelty on the part of the older siblings, which allows the eventual shift to highlight the positive aspects of being a little brother or sister to feel not only plausible, but natural. The change happens when a little sister longs for "invisibility" after breaking her big sister's trophy, and then this desire morphs into hoping for a "second chance." A softness in the big sister's expression and stance suggests she'll grant forgiveness, and the ensuing pages show big siblings demonstrating similar generosity as they offer a "helping hand" and otherwise act as protectors, co-conspirators, teachers, leaders, and finally, satisfyingly, as "best friend[s]."Big love for this little book. (Picture book. 3-8)