Eddie: Harold's Little Brother - Hardcover

Koch Thaler, Pat; Koch, Edward T.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399242104 ISBN 13: 9780399242106

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 2004

Synopsis

Young Eddie can't play baseball like his big brother Harold, but Eddie is a fine talker, so Harold helps him realize his speaking talents, in a book based on the relationship between former New York City mayor Ed Koch and his older brother.

About this title

About the Author

Ed Koch, former New York City Mayor, is a partner in the law firm of Bryan Cave, writes for several magazines, and has a weekly program on Bloomberg Radio WBBR as well as a weekly television spot on New York News 1. Pat Koch Thaler, Ed's little sister, is a former associate dean of New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and is the author of numerous books and articles.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3–Eddie's older brother is a star in baseball, basketball, and football; as hard as the younger boy tries, he can never measure up to him. Eddie loves telling the neighborhood kids about Harold's exploits, though, and this leads to his eventual realization of his true talents. Set in a big city in the days of knickers and hand-pushed ice-cream carts, this story has a nostalgic charm, yet lacks the emotional complexity that marks the lives of real children. Unlike the fictional Eddie, most youngsters would probably feel at least occasionally envious of Harold. And some of the dialogue doesn't ring true; for instance, Harold tells his brother, "Let's try to think of something you do well and really love." The skillfully done watercolors add a lot of atmosphere and humor, especially when showing Eddie's mishaps playing baseball. Based on childhood memories of the authors, the former mayor of New York City and his sister, this book is recommended for larger collections or where local interest warrants purchase.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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K-Gr. 3. Eddie's big brother, Harold, is a terrific athlete. All the kids want Harold on their team, but Eddie can't hit or catch the ball. Eventually Harold gets tired of Eddie's tagging along ("You're no good at sports"), and he tells his brother to do what he really does best--talk. Eddie wins the school public speaking contest, and, yes, he grows up to become mayor of New York City. This fictional picture-book is far from the usual heavy-handed, celebrity inspirational message, especially because there's humor in Eddie's success; he has to figure out when to stop talking. Warhola's active, comic watercolors create a lively sense of the diverse city neighborhood in the early 1930s, on the street, in the park, and close-up at home. Best of all are the scenes of the players after the games, enraptured by Eddie's play-by-play "talk" of their wonderful achievements. With its affectionate humor about the brothers' rivalry and the klutz who wins in the end, this autobiographical story will have wide appeal--even for kids who don't know Koch. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399242104
• ISBN 13: 9780399242106
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Warhola James
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32