Oh, Brother - Hardcover

Yorinks, Arthur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374355991 ISBN 13: 9780374355999

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 1989

Synopsis

"Milton and Morris, twins from England, survive shipwreck, squalor and sibling rivalry to become members of the court of Her Royal Majesty...Charmingly funny and original."-The New York Times.

"Thoroughly enjoyable."-Starred/School Library Journal

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4-- Shipwrecks, beleaguered orphans, and unexpected twists of fate are just a few of the melodramatic elements in this newest offering by the creators of Hey, Al (1986) and Bravo, Minski! (1988, both Farrar). Twins Milton and Morris, on a voyage from England with their parents, sneak down to the ship's hold (which is full of fireworks), carrying a lantern and a crowbar. Disaster strikes as the twins struggle over a skyrocket, and so occurs the "sorry accident at sea" that supposedly orphans the boys and sets off a series of hard times. In desperation, they turn to a life of crime and, at last, their luck changes. They bungle as pickpockets and are adopted by their would-be victim, who takes them in and teaches them a trade--custom tailoring. They become so good at their work that they are invited to the Queen of England's court, where, as fate (or Yorinks) would have it, they are recognized by the gardener and nanny as the couple's long lost children. The playful interaction between words and pictures again demonstrates the effectiveness of the Yorinks and Egielski collaboration. The softly colored pictures are vintage Egielski, deceptively simple in design, but with a solidity and naturalness that offers a perfect counterpoint to Yorinks' deadpan text. Introductory illustrations slyly establish the relationship between the twins and foreshadow the trouble to come. Adults who share this book with children will appreciate Yorinks' wry humor, while kids are sure to enjoy the antics of the obnoxious twins. A totally absurd but thoroughly enjoyable addition for all picture-book collections. --Linda Boyles, Alachua County Library Dist . , Gainesville, FL NONFICTION
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Washed ashore after a shipwreck, two brothers are left to fend for themselves in New York. The boys comfort one another in a way familiar to all brothers: "You stink," says Milton; "So do you," replies Morris. Their fortunes rise and fall in comically rapid succession until an old man takes them under his wing and teaches them his trade--tailoring. When their benefactor dies, the resourceful brothers disguise themselves as old men and claim to be the tailor's relatives; they manage to quell their squabbling long enough to build a substantial business. A wealthy patron takes the boys abroad and presents them at court, where they are recognized by their true parents, who had survived the shipwreck after all. Although the book is long on plot and relies heavily on fantastic coincidences, Yorinks's droll storytelling talents are perfectly matched by Egielski's broadly theatrical paintings. The rollercoaster series of events abounds with ironic humor in this stylish and satisfying work. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0374355991
• ISBN 13: 9780374355999
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Egielski Richard