The Brothers Kennedy: John, Robert, Edward

Gr 2-4 Throughout this tribute, emphasis is placed on the dedication to the principles of hope, compassion, and loyalty shared by the brothers, with selected events from each of their lives presented to illustrate how they acted on those principles. The recurring imagery appears to be the sea, a love shared by the three. While not enough information on any one man is provided for report writers, the book serves as a good introduction to this important American political dynasty. Bates's watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations are a gentle accompaniment to this often-tragic tale. The opening pages feature amusing scenes of the nine siblings' interactions and activities and become more somber as the brothers grow up. An annotated time line is included."Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

The creators of Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight celebrate the lives of these political icons, spotlighting their personal and professional interactions and underscoring their mutual affection. Short chapters describe the brothers (including oldest sibling Joe) as children and young men: bookworm and aspiring leader John; serious, compassionate Robert; and loyal Edward, who, as the youngest, felt the weight of his brothers' expectations as a child: "With each brother putting pressure on the next, Edward got the most." Krull offers streamlined accounts of the trio's careers and, somewhat prosaically, emphasizes the importance to each of "hope, compassion, and loyalty." Rendered in watercolor, gouache, and pencil, Bates's art features lifelike depictions of the siblings and convincingly captures the emotion and drama inherent in their stories. In perhaps the most poignant picture, Robert and Edward embrace on a seaside dune after John's assassination ("And then there were two brothers"). Supplementary notes, more accessible to those on the older edge of the targeted age range, round out this admiring portrait. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)