My Brother and Me

This is actually a rather cute story about a little brother who feels like he's getting pushed aside by his brother's new fiancee.

Ramez is a lot older than Aloush, so of course Aloush thinks he's pretty cool. The brothers spend quite a bit of time together, and Ramez lets Aloush tag along when he plays basketball or watches sports. But then Ramez starts to become more distant, and Aloush can't seem to get his attention anymore. Why? Because Ramez is engaged to a woman named Deema.

Frustrated, Aloush embarks on a plan to drive Deema away. But everything he tries backfires with the kind and patient Deema, who seems to understand what the kid is trying to do. Eventually, Aloush realizes she's not so bad, and Ramez even ends up with a sort of a rival for Deema's affections!

The names, food, and traditions make it clear that this isn't a Western picture book. (The author lives in Jordan, so that's where I'm assuming this story takes place.) It's nice to see some different cultures represented in children's books; I'm glad a Canadian publisher decided to publish this English translation so that more kids can enjoy this simple but sweet little picture book.

A pretty good read about getting to know someone before you decide you don't like them for something that's not even their fault.

Aloush and his much older, big brother, Ramez, have a very special relationship. Ramez has taught Aloush to play basketball, and on the weekends he takes him, and sometimes even his buddy, to the movies and buys them snacks.

But lately Ramez is acting differently. He is a little distant and wants his privacy. Aloush learns that his big brother has become engaged and will soon marry. We get to follow along as Aloush processes this information and comes to terms with it.

This is a sweet book with a great message.

Thank you to Taghreed Najjar, Chouette Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"My Brother and Me" by Taghreed Najjar was a beautifully illustrated children's book with a fun, playful tone. It was a good book for kids when there is someone new introduced into their lives that may make them feel jealous of your time or maybe they feel afraid that they won't be as important to you if someone new is now around.

The author provides real-world circumstances that any younger child might encounter as his older brother grows up, becomes interested in a new love interest and his time with his brother slowly declines. While the interaction becomes difficult between the brothers at times, the interactions feel real and true to life.

I feel like the key to the story is how the author captures the feelings the younger child might be having and then helping to address those directly. It was a fun read with a great message that I can share with my own kids too.

I received this eBook free of charge from Chouette Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I thought this was a lovely story about the importance of family, and i thought the main character was adorable. The illustrations were so cute as well and well written.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a sweet storybook about a boy who has a close relationship with his brother and what occurs when his brother becomes engaged. Great for kids with older siblings. A definitive buy!

A beautiful little story, well written and stunning illustrations, about a little boy Aloush learning to cope with change, his brother growing up and how someone getting married doesn’t mean you lose a member of your family but you gain another one. A wonderful story to help children learn about change and how to see the benefits. Lovely story.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is a wonderful book which illustrates to children that family relationships can change whether we want them to or not and that those changes affect all those involved. Ramez is Aloush’s older brother. Aloush is the youngest in his family and he adores his older brother who he spends so much time with and looks up to dearly. Ramez takes Aloush to school in the morning and allows him to hang out with him and his friends in the evenings after school. All this suddenly changes however when Ramez becomes engaged to be married and Aloush can no longer hang out with his idol like he used to. The younger brother begins to act out and rebel, seeing attention by wearing dirty smelly clothes and misbehaving. This is an important book. It acts as an introduction for many experiences young children can have of change in their lives and can lead to many reflective and beneficial exercises and conversations.

Taghreed Najjar, illustrated by Maya Fidawi
Aloush's much older big brother Ramez used to pay much more attention to him. From taking Aloush places and helping him with his school work, to being much to busy with...his new fiancee. I love how this narrative of an extended family with two siblings who are over a decade apart, shows a less visible in picture books type of family. An added bonus, as this sweet and relatable problem and the interesting and detailed illustrations present a great story. I appreciate the interesting and diverse culturally details that unravel in such a delicate manner, adding to the readers understanding of the experience. Grandmother making tabbouleh and hummus, and the jaha with the men, to ask Deema's family for her hand in marriage. Aloush comes in with several strategies to sabotage any threat to his family. In the end Aloush can't help but warm up to the kindness and interest in him that Deema exhibits, resulting in another person in his life who loves him...and he loves back.

My Brother and Me by Taghreed Najjar, illustrated by Maya Fidawi was a sweet little book aimed at children, with great Illustrations throughout.
My nephew loved this book..........

Big Thank you to Netgalley, Taghreed Najjar, and Chouette Publishing, for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a lovely little heartfelt sibling/peer relationship book.

I have three brothers and I’m the only girl.

There is 10 years between my eldest brother and myself, 7 years between my middle brother and myself. My little brother is 7 years younger than me.

The age gaps became apparent as my eldest two brothers got older and stopped taking me everywhere with them.

This is what happens in this book.

Ramez Is Aloush big brother, there are quite a few years between them but they’ve always had a great relationship and still does but now that his older brother has a fiancé it’s a natural progression he spends more time with her.

There’s a good moral and learning process within this story, a very enjoyable read.

I loved that this came through a different culture too.

My Brother and Me is the story of how the relationship between two brothers changes when one meets a girl and becomes engaged. When there is a significant age difference between siblings, this type of change is bound to happen. However, this picture book explains how it may seem like everything is getting worse when in reality things are just getting better. The younger brother realizes that he is not losing a brother, he is just gaining a sister.
I think it is important to have stories like this for children to relate to and find themselves in when they go through similar situations.
The illustrations and writing is beautiful, plus the story brings in a culture aspect based on the main character's cultural background!

This book was quite adorable in my opinion. A sweet and short children’s novel about a young child who is fearful that his brothers new partner will “take” his brother away from him.

At first he does not like the new girlfriend but overtime, Aloush warms up to Deems and they develop an adorable relationship, proving to Aloush that this new change brought even more wonderful people in his life!

In this book we are taught the reality of change and how sometimes, even when you are apprehensive and afraid, a new change can bring a new world of opportunity and positive experiences if you let it.

I love this story. I feel that so many times children make the assumptions that they do not like someone because they "take" someone away. This book does a great job to show that the new people who come into our life can be just as great as the ones already in it as long as we give them a shot. The art style is not my favorite, but that is just me.

This is such a cute and adorable story that is really important for anyone with a family change coming about. While the tone of the character seems harsh at first, it’s only a true reflection. It’s the ending that will really win your heart.