There's nothing worse than a rotten redheaded older brother who can do everything you can do better! Patricia's brother Richard could run the fastest, climb the highest, and spit the farthest and still smile his extra-rotten, greeny-toothed, weasel-eyed grin. But when little Patricia wishes on a shooting star that she could do something -- anything -- to show him up, she finds out just what wishes -- and rotten redheaded older brothers -- can really do. Patricia Polacco's boldly and exuberantly painted pictures tell a lively and warmhearted tale of comic one-upsmanship and brotherly love.

Patricia Polacco has written and illustrated many highly acclaimed books, including Some Birthday, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and a Parents' Choice Award winner. Among other honors she has received are the International Reading Association Award for Rechenka's Eggs, the Sydney Taylor Book Award for The Keeping Quilt, and the Children's Literature and Social Responsibility Award for the overall excellence of her work. She lives in Oakland, California, with her husband and two children.