When I Was King by Linda Ashman, illustrated by David McPhail

A gentle and humorous book on sibling rivalry and how the older sibling once ruled the castle and now no longer does.  A little boy struggles with being replaced as the center of attention, noticing that if he burps or drools he is told it is bad manners but the baby is praised for doing just that.  There are pages of the boy telling his baby brother that all of this was once MINE, which capture the desperation and neediness of a new older sibling perfectly.  Through gentle parenting and insight, the boy slowly grows to understand his new role in the family as big brother.

Ashman’s poetry is a joy to read aloud, offering easy cadences as well as rhyme.  It pairs effortlessly with McPhail’s illustrations which show a modern family but evoke a timeless coziness as well.  The tone set in the book is balanced, even when the boy finally has a temper tantrum about all the things his little brother is ruining.  Both older and younger siblings will see themselves here.

Recommended for story times and units on siblings.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.