Oh, Brother by Nikki Grimes (Poetry Picture Book)

This was my favorite poetry picture book by Nikki Grimes that I read. I really enjoy this story because it is about a boy (Xavier) who's mom got re-married and he now has a step-brother (Chris) who he doesn't like. Like Nikki Grimes' other book (When Gorilla Goes Walking) each page is split up into different poems, with different headings/titles, but when you read the whole poem front to back you are able to understand what is going on in the story.

I believe this book can relate to many children and how their parents re-married and there are now new brothers and sisters. So many books are about the "typical" mom, dad, brother, sister, white picket fence family and that is not what every one's family looks like. There are so many different definitions of family and each one is unique that is why I love this book so much.

My favorite part of the book is when Chris is trying to write Xavier's name because he doesn't know how to spell it and Xavier comes up to Chris and says just write brother because that is what I am, your brother. You see Chris' efforts of trying to get Xavier to like him and be his friend and in the beginning Xavier ignores him. In the end Xavier realizes that Chris is just like him and just wants to have a family. They become friends and brothers who love being together.