My Brother, Matthew

This book is in the perspective of the older brother named David, talking about his feelings, family ups and downs when it comes to living with his younger sibling who has a disability. This book is extremely helpful for children who might have a sibling with a disability to read and see that they aren't alone. They also get to see what David deals with, goes through and how some situations are similar to themselves.

I thought this book was okay. The idea of a book about a child who has a sibling born with problems and is kept in the hospital for a long time, can be good to help children who are going through that. Also, as Matthew grows up, he continues to encounter challenges. The main character has real emotions and frustrations. However, there are a few comments he makes that are maybe not younger child appropriate, such as a snarky comment about if his parents think he is an idiot. Also, there are a few pages of just text and no pictures. It was decent.

When Matthew was born he had disabilities and that means he needed a lot of extra attention. Matthew brother David always felt left out because Matthew got more attention. The grown-ups always seemed to talk down to poor Matthew. Was he ever going to learn how to deal with his brother's disabilities? Well as he got older he learned how he could help his brother and they began to have a special relationship. Even though David had a hard time adjusting to his little brother he still loves him very much. This is a great book to show children what it is like to have a disabled sibling. I would show a class this book if a student had a disabled brother or sister.

This book was a very good book about a child dealing with a brother with special needs. I read this to my 5 year old son and it helped him understand why mom and dad spent so much time trying to teach his brother things. It explains things like why they should feel special to have a brother/sister with special needs. I thought this was a very good book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read it to a young brother/sister.

A picture book for young children to explain what it is like to be the sibling of a child with additional needs.

David feels he understands his disabled brother better than his parents. Through this experience he and his brother share many experiences of joy.

PIERCE COLLEGE LIBRARY AGES 4 AND OLDER AT FIRST IT WAS KINDA, HARD, BUT IN THE END THE TWO BROTHER REALLY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. MOM & DAD CALLS DAVID TO BE AN INTERPRETER BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND MATTHEW. SOMETIMES IT GOT HARD FOR DAVID, BUT STILL THAT'S WHAT FAMILY IS FOR.