Dibs!

Big brother Julian's habit of calling 'Dibs!' comes home to roost when little brother, Clancy, picks up the word--his very first--and gets everything he points to. Clancy calls dibs on everything from the parental bed to a whole bakery, a real airplane, the White House ('You can't call dibs on the White House! You need to be elected!'), and, finally, a rocket ship. With Clancy in space, Julian enjoys having toys, cookies, and parents to himself again, but eventually worries, 'dibs' a rocket of his own, and catches up in time to rescue Clancy from aliens. Back on Earth, after hugs and cookies, Julian has another useful word: 'Jinx.' Piwowarski depicts Julian and his family as Asian in the cartoon illustrations, and gives the onesie-clad Clancy a steady self assurance that stands in comical contrast to his older brother's exaggerated astonishment and dismay. In a refreshing change of pace from most episodes about the evils of selfishness, the theme of 'learning to share' plays second fiddle to the brotherly bonding at the end.--Booklist

Two brothers call dibs, starting a war that escalates to epic proportions. In Gehl's simple narration, older brother Julian always calls dibs on everything. Dibs on the plate with the planets on it and on the star-shaped cookies, while his baby brother, Clancy, observes. It is no surprise that Clancy's first word is 'Dibs!' However, Clancy has upped the ante. Instead of calling dibs on mere toys and treats, he goes for their parents' bed. Mom and Dad relent: 'Well, he did call dibs.' Clancy continues, calling dibs on the entire bakery (and stuffing his face), on an airplane, and even on the White House. All of the adults cede to Clancy, even the Secret Service: 'Well, he did call dibs.' Julian attempts to explain the rules of dibs and democracy, insisting that 'you can't call dibs on the White House! You need to be elected'--but to no avail. It is not until Clancy calls dibs on NASA and blasts into space on a rocket that Julian reflects on his relationship with his sibling. Gehl provides a steady pace of increasing suspense and silliness, capping Clancy's demands with a cosmic climax and ending with a punchline. Piwowarski provides realistic characters with bright blended colors and blurred borders that capture the mischievous spirit of the story. Julian, Clancy, and their parents all appear to be Asian. Adults, beware of the dibs wars this title will initiate. Young readers will definitely call dibs on this one.--Kirkus Reviews