School Library Journal
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Gr 1–3—The dynamics of two brothers is charmingly centered in this book. The story is told by Nano (white with red hair) the younger brother who idolizes his older brother Felix (also white, with black curly hair). At the beginning, Nano is gushing about Felix, stating that they are "one person in two bodies." Meanwhile, the expression on Felix's face as well as his loud protestations tell a different story; he is the older brother who is often driven crazy by the younger one. Finally, Felix has had enough, blocking Nano from his treehouse and exclaiming, "Now stop copying me. And stop following me. And just leave me alone!" Nano responds with righteous indignation, stomping off to make his own house in the rain. Initially, Nano succeeds in cobbling together an umbrella house, but eventually the wind blows his house apart, and Felix does nothing to stop the destruction. Eventually, the brothers spend a joyful afternoon listening to and playing together in the rain. The illustrations are colorful, showing the way that Nano views the world, and the facial expressions on the brothers, particularly their expressive eyes, capture their whirlwind, ever-changing feelings. VERDICT Ideal for the sibling shelves, this book whimsically captures the very real turbulence of relationships. Young children will have fun watching Nano and Felix play, argue, and reconcile.—Sally James

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Even the toughest squabbles can’t (permanently) harm the special bond between siblings. Nano and Felix are “best friends”—at least younger sibling Nano thinks so. They “do EVERYTHING together,” but sometimes Felix needs a little space. When Nano claims they’re being “artists from the future,” Felix (rightfully) complains that Nano ruined his picture: “MOOOOOOM! Look what Nano has done!” After tracking Felix outside to the tree house, Nano is shocked to find a “NO Nanos allowed” sign. With little choice, Nano goes solo: “FINE! I’m going to build my own tree house!” But when rain and wind prove overwhelming, Nano’s mounting cries of “Help, Felix!” go unanswered. Suddenly, Felix goes from “bestest big brother” to “WORST big brother…ever!” At least until Felix manages to convince Nano that he is the bestest after all. English author/illustrator Mantle captures an all-too-common family situation—siblings (particularly the elder) needing space—with empathic authenticity and inviting humor. His text holds inventive whimsy: “totally grape” (code for “really great”), “LAVA CAVES OF DOOOOOM!,” “fancy-pants umbrella house.” The “pitta-patta,” “plink-plonk,” and “blip-blop-blopping” of the never-ending rain provide a syncopated soundtrack throughout. His riotous, vibrant art fills every page, with his details—Nano’s missing sock, the children’s skinned knees, hanging cans and CDs adorning the trees in the yard—gloriously typifying childhood. Both siblings have peachy skin; Felix sports black curls, while Nano has orange locks. An entertainingly energetic, thoroughly realistic capsule of siblings who “are best friends…most of the time.”(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.