I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute book about two brothers. The illustrations are good and the story shows the ups and downs of having a brother.

What Are You Doing, Benny? by Cary Fagan follows a young fox who just wants to join in whatever his older brother Benny is doing, but Benny always says 'no'. I felt so bad for the little fox when he said Benny made the best sandwiches, and could Benny make him one too, and Benny said no. Later, Benny offered to let his little brother watch as he did cool things like paint and shoot hoops, but the little fox said that wasn't fun and continued playing in his own. Later, Benny brought him a sandwich. At the end, the brothers ended up doing something together. This was a cute story with gorgeous watercolour artwork. The perfect book for kids with siblings! To be honest, it reminded me of my own childhood. I was the oldest, and an introvert, so I reallllly didn't want siblings around. I read this with my cubs and we all enjoyed it.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Tundra for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed reading What are you Doing Benny. The characters were relatable and funny too. The illustrations were wonderful and did a good job of making each scene pop off the page. Anyone who has a sibling would probably enjoy this book. It also has a few good lessons for kids to learn too. One of the more fun stories I have read in a good while.

Sibling relationships are tricky and an important part of many children's lives. This book reminded me of my own relationships with my sisters and how often we would fight to be noticed. The simple text accompanies pictures that drive the action of the story. A great book that many kids will relate to and help them navigate the difficult waters of family dynamics.

This is a sweet and deceivingly simple book that really captures the disconnection (and occasional connection) that is a sibling relationship where one is a solid 6+ years younger than the other. Nothing of extreme depth here and no 'lesson' to be learned, just a really accurate depiction of an age gap between young siblings.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adorable book about getting along that children will be able to understand. Very sweet title.

This book brought back many memories, but I was the older sibling. I had a brother who was seven years younger than me and I often had to look after him as well as have him bug me constantly, at least that is how I felt as a youngster. In What are you Doing, Benny? Benny is the older brother, who is pestered by his younger sibling. The younger sibling tries desperately all day long to get Benny to join in his play or allow him to do what Benny is doing, but is consistently told No! When the younger brother finally finds something to do (put on a puppet show) and Benny gets interested, the tables are turned.

The message in the story of course is about getting along with your siblings, finding something to entertain yourself, allowing others to participate in your activities. Any child who has a sibling will be able to relate to this story. I liked the way the story was put together, it was almost a graphic novel which I think children will enjoy. The watercolour illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton are sweet and detailed. Each illustrations is so detailed, including cross sections of the foxes den and their rooms that there is a lot to look at and talk about. Overall a very cute story, with the repetition needed for a beginning reader. The publisher, Tundra Books, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Benny is busy playing by himself: building a fort, making a paper airplane, riding his bike, etc. But his little brother is looking for a playmate, so he continually asks to join his older brother. But each question to his brother is met with an emphatic, NO! He doesn't want to talk about what he's doing or let his younger brother join him.

Finally, after asking and asking, the little fox gets the picture and heads to his room to put on a puppet show, by himself. Of course, the puppets are mimicking he and his brother. Can I play? No! Can I watch? No!

Eventually, Benny shows up and asks if his younger sibling wants to watch him paint a model car. By now little fox is fine and not willing to watch his brother. Surprisingly Benny returns with a sandwich for his younger brother. He then stays and begins playing with the puppets.

MyThoughts

What Concerned Me: I realize kids like things to be repetitive, but the younger sibling asking to engage with Benny seemed to go on a bit too long. Also, I'm not clear what changed Benny's mind. Was he suddenly aware that he'd ignored little fox, or was he missing the pestering and attention?

What I Liked Most: Sibling awareness is always a good discussion topic. Also, some children will love the fact that the illustrations feel more like a graphic novel.

Benny is kind of a jerk. The way he's drawn (and the activities he's doing) make him seem a lot older than his brother. Think a teenager and a kindergartner. As such, I expected a lot more tolerance from Benny. Instead, he comes across as kind of a narcissist. After the little brother gets fed up with trying to do stuff with Benny, he goes off and does his own thing. Only then does Benny want to spend any time with the kid. It's like he doesn't want to participate unless it's on his own terms. And then we see the little brother using the same tactics as Benny used (basically, shutting out his brother), which I don't think is a very healthy thing to be teaching.

I don't like the illustrations that much. They're almost... messy, for lack of a better word. The drawing style is kind of chaotic, and I don't care for it.

I also don't like the writing style. The dialogue isn't punctuated, so in the beginning I just assumed that most of the book was dialogue. But then, almost halfway in, the little brother starts narrating in the first person. That made me even more confused, because it was difficult to tell when he was talking to the audience and when he was talking to his brother. I prefer picture books to have clearer writing than that.

Overall, I wasn't impressed. By the end of the repetitive text, I couldn't stand the little brother much myself anymore. And the pictures aren't to my liking. I wouldn't recommend this one.

Cary Fagan brings us a classic tale of siblings being siblings. In What are you Doing, Benny? Benny is so much older than his younger sibling. The younger sibling tries desperately all day long to get Benny to join in his play but is consistently told No! Until the younger sibling finds something Benny is actually interested in doing.

So many children will relate to this story. Older siblings will relate to the constant nagging and perstering by younger siblings. Younger siblings will relate to the incredible pull of an older sibling and the desire to just get to play with the person they look up to most in the world.

The pictures by Kady MacDonald Denton are sweet and detailed. I really love watercolour illustrations. There is something very nostalgic about illustrations rendered in watercolour. The design of the book is very reminiscent of a comic book and a fabulous first step into the comic waters for readers. Each square of the story contains so much detail, from the cross section of the foxes den to the piles of toys in the foxes rooms, there is a lot to see and experience in this cute story.

Not only is there a puppet show in this book, it would make its own great puppet show. With the annoying little brother saying “hey Benny” over and over again. This book is set up like a graphic novel for the youngest crowd. It was just absolutely wonderfully active. I could picture the big/little brother dynamic. My nephews will so be getting this book when it comes out.
#LitsyAtoZChildrens

"Benny and his little brother live in a cozy foxhole under a hill. Benny has a lot of projects underway and his younger brother knows he would be very helpful.
What are you doing, Benny? Building a fort?

Neat! I'm really good at building forts.

So can I help, Benny?

No, said Benny."




Benny is a busy big brother fox who has tons of activities that he likes doing. He builds forts, makes excellent paper airplanes to fly and a yummy sandwich, rides his bike, plays his guitar and all the while his little brother ( who is nameless in the story ) asks to join in and be included with his brother's projects. Each time little brother asks to hang out with Benny he is answered in the negative.... "No". Oh my!

Feeling hurt and rejected little fox retreats to his room and gives his big brother his own space. While there he gets busy playing with his puppets and putting on a puppet show all alone. Benny has a time to reflect on his behaviour and how he has been treating his younger sibling. Redemption reigns in Benny's heart and he brings his little brother a sandwich and then stays and plays puppets with him. This makes both boys very happy as they spend some quality brother-to-brother bonding time together.

I love the watercolour and gouache illustrations. They are full of action, emotion and humour and perfectly drive the text along. The message of the book is positive and is a lovely life lesson highlighting the importance of spending time with family members whether they be young or old. I highly recommend this book.

Lovely illustrations. As an oldest sibling, I certainly see where "Benny" is coming from, and I think other families would see the same resemblance.

This picture book shows two foxes; I did not realize initially that they are brothers, although they are. Benny, the older fox, is having fun doing many different activities. Whenever the younger (nameless) fox asks to participate, he is told no. This happens repeatedly, in my opinion a few more times than needed for the sake of the story, although the illustrations are fun. Eventually the younger fox begins to play on his own although he continues to follow Benny a while longer. After a time, the two foxes begin to share and play together in an activity initiated by the younger.

This story shows the persistence of the younger fox and the older fox's focusing on himself, not others. The ending, in which, Benny enters into an activity with his younger brother is meant to, at least temporarily, resolve their conflicts.

Younger siblings will most likely relate to being pushed away by their elders. Older siblings will be reminded of how hard it is when a younger brother or sister wants their attention. This is all fine but what I slightly quibble with is the persistence of the younger sibling. He might be viewed a bit as a victim, rather than as a child who has some resources of his own. Nonetheless, this may be a good story book to read with children of any birth order.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance read. Opinions are my own.

I requested <i>What Are You Doing, Benny</i> by Cary Fagan because, I'm sure you guessed it, the book had foxes. And for the most part, that was well worth it. I enjoyed the artwork, I loved the main character--who appears to be nameless--and most of all I loved the fact that they were foxes. I found the story both incredibly real and rather adorable, though admittedly the message of it was not one that I <i>loved</i>, exactly. Still, it was a good one.

The story follows what I assume is a younger brother who wants to spend time and basically do anything with his older brother. Of course, Benny isn't really all that interested in involving his little brother with his games and projects. In fact, he seems regularly annoyed by the young fox each and every single time that he appears. Ironically, I used to be the Benny in this situation.

It takes some time, but soon enough the young fox decides to leave his older brother alone, turning instead to his puppets in order to entertain himself. And it isn't too long before Benny notices that his younger brother isn't around bugging him as he usually does anymore. A great commentary on siblings, this book is a cute one to get if you've got multiple kids and they sometimes bug each other.

<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

What are you doing, Benny? is a cute story about a younger brother who just wants his older brother to play with him. Fagan expressed the longing and desperation felt by many younger siblings and Denton's illustrations brought those feelings to two fox brothers. Benny discovered that sometimes it is better to play with a younger brother than by himself - especially after his little brother said he didn't want to play with him.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House - Tundra Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

Ah, the joy of siblings. Big brother tries to engage his little brother Benny into playing, sharing, anything, but Benny only says no. Until at last he says yes. I am assuming patience is needed with younger siblings. It was a cute story kids will likely relate to. I loved the illustrations! Soft and cuddly, cute! The little foxes are adorable!