There’s not a dull moment in these books for the main characters and their siblings! Bradley drives his brother wild. May needs a break from her many brothers and sisters. August and Berlin like different things.

Shore, Diane Z. How to Drive Your Brother Bananas. illus. by Laura Rankin. 32p. (I Can Read Level 2). HarperCollins. Oct. 2025. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780063395862; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780063395855.
K-Gr 1–Bradley, a young boy with tan skin, brown hair, and freckles, teaches readers how to drive their brothers wild. His brother, Liam, is made out to be a stereotypical teen, annoyed at having to babysit his little brother. Bradley shows several things that make his brother go “bananas,” such as hiding and playing with the television remote or playing hide-and-seek with a few twists. Mischievous actions, like Bradley’s tricking Liam by hiding a fake snake in the bed, will be familiar to children with siblings. The book employs a combination of simple and complex sentences but only one or two sentences per page. Illustrations are colorful and detailed, supporting the text and providing aid for early readers to better understand the story. Children will enjoy Bradley just as they adore David Shannon’s No, David! VERDICT The high jinks of a younger brother will be enjoyed by children, especially those with siblings.–Anna Kambach

Thomas, Porsche. Twins, but Different. illus. by Jessica Gibson. 32p. (Step into Reading). Random. Oct. 2025. pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780593813089; lib. ed. $16.99. ISBN 9780593813096.
K-Gr 2–August and Berlin are twins who do everything together—but they look different and enjoy different things. August prefers the merry-go-round, while Berlin likes to swing alone. When shy August wants to ask other kids to play, Berlin doesn’t hesitate to help. Colorful illustrations beautifully capture the warmth and quiet affection between the brothers. Text is simple and accessible for emerging readers, effectively conveying themes of sibling love and family connection with minimal words. While the plot is gentle rather than adventurous, the emotional core is strong. VERDICT A sweet and subtle story that may especially resonate with twins. Not an essential purchase but a thoughtful addition to collections seeking more varied representation of sibling bonds.–Kirsten Caldwell

Woehling, A.T. May’s Too-Big Pizza: Ready-to-Read Level 1. illus. by Felicia Whaley. 32p. (All About May: Bk. 2). S. & S./Simon Spotlight. Oct. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781665942881; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9781665942874.
PreS-Gr 1–May, a young girl with brown skin, asks a friend to help her make a pizza big enough for her seven diverse siblings. She struggles throughout the process, worried about ensuring that the pizza, like her family, is big enough, “But not TOO big!” She frets over each ingredient as they make “a lot of dough. But not too stretchy!” and add “a lot of pepper. But not too spicy!” Overwhelmed by the enormous pizza and her chaotic household, May escapes to her bed. An illustration of her huddled posture and furrowed brow conveys her anxiety and sensory overload, but she is quickly soothed by a slice of pizza and the promise of one-on-one time with her friend. The slapstick humor in the kitchen is the main focus, but its emotional effect on May could be useful for discussions about sensory regulation. Concise phrasing, large print, and lots of repetition will help new readers with decodability, while also making this a fun choice for story times and group sharing. VERDICT A strong addition to a promising new series.–Amy Reimann