If It Weren't for You [Library Binding]

Charlotte Zolotow (Author), G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Sooner or later, all big brothers and big sisters think it. Sometimes they may even say it:

If it weren't for you, I'd be the only child and I'd get all the presents.

But then there are other times too, times when having a younger sibling may just be a blessing in disguise. . . .

With simplicity and grace, the legendary Charlotte Zolotow turns her clear-eyed gaze on the conflict and bond unique to siblings. G. Brian Karas's bright, engaging illustrations bring her classic text to a new generation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Big sister is feeling sorry for herself as she imagines how good life would be without her younger sibling. She wouldn't have to share her room, her treats, or her tree house. She could read all day, hog the bathroom, and watch any TV program she wanted. As she sulks, little sister gradually works her way into her sibling's heart with small acts of kindness. Finally big sister concedes that having a younger sister is not all bad. Wisely the author and illustrator resist the temptation to make the ending overly sentimental. Instead of hugs and kisses, the older girl offers her younger sibling a half smile. This is a re-release of a text originally published in 1966 by Harper & Row. Ben Shecter's original illustrations featured two brothers. The new illustrations not only change the gender of the main characters, but also give the story a fresh, contemporary look. Karas's art is bright and cartoonlike, with contrasting colors that give the simple figures energy. LeUyen Pham's Big Sister, Little Sister (Hyperion, 2005) tells the story from the little sister's perspective. Both are worthy offerings on the topic of sibling relations.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

In Zolotow's text, which was first published in 1966, an older sibling pointedly tells a younger one the advantages of being an only child and finally comes up with one reason why things are better the way they are. To Zolotow's credit, the last reason is as wryly truthful to a child's experience as those on the other side of the argument: without her little sister, she'd have to be alone with the grown-ups. Karas' fresh, inventive artwork captures the attitudes of the big sister perfectly, makes the younger sister cheerfully impervious to the older one's grumbling, and delivers a great deal of amusing activity in the pictures for children to enjoy. A timeless text renewed by witty, imaginative illustrations. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060278765
• ISBN-13: 978-0060278762
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,103,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better, November 17, 2007

By 

Elaine G. Lambert "mitfordfan" (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If It Weren't for You (Hardcover)

I thought I was going to like this book, but when I finished reading it to my daughter (who is an older sister dealing with many of these situations), I felt it had a poor ending. The book goes through different scenarios, almost all of which involve selfishness ("If it weren't for you, I'd get all the presents. If it weren't for you, I'd get to watch whatever TV show I wanted.") That's not bad, if in the end the author focused on some of the great things about having a sibling (like, if it weren't for you, I'd have no one to talk to in the middle of the night, share silly songs with, etc.). Instead, it ends with the only plus side of having a sibling being that you don't have to be alone with grown-ups. So while this book starts off strong, it ends weak.

1.0 out of 5 stars homeschooling mom, July 12, 2008

By 

K. Pooley (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If It Weren't for You (Hardcover)

I thought this book was poorly written. I think it's good to acknowlege the fact that having a sibling can be difficult but their wasn't a single good thing in this book, it pointed out nothing but the bad. I would not recommend this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book..., November 25, 2006

By 

J. Nusz "Author, reviewer & graphic designer" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If It Weren't for You (Hardcover)

All siblings, at one time or another, think of how it would be to be an only child. IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU brings those conflicts to life for children in grades pre-school to grade two. Big sister would love to have the tree house all to herself, and the dog too. She'd love to have the whole last slice of cake, or an entire bottle of soda to herself. As a matter of fact, it seems that she'd pretty much be way better off if she didn't have a sibling - if it weren't for the sibling, life would be so much better. Or would it?

Author Charlotte Zolotow does a wonderful job of pointing out just how older siblings might miss younger siblings if they weren't around, despite the fact that they might often wish that they weren't. And illustrator G. Brian Karas depicts the characters so well it will bring a smile to every child's face.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU is a must-have book for those children who have a newer younger sibling, and might have conflicted feelings about their place in the family. IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU shows children that it is okay to have mixed feelings about siblings, and helps them to realize what is really important in the end.

Kudos to Charlotte Zolotow and illustrator G. Brian Karas for bringing such a wonderful story to life!