An Idea in the Making

“I’m building a robot to replace my brother. My real one is boring, I’d rather another.”

Those two simple lines kick-started the idea for my upcoming picture book, How to Build a Better Brother.

Let’s be honest—who didn't wish they could upgrade a sibling to a better version when they were growing up? I know I certainly did. My brother wasn't what you'd call boring, exactly, but he was certainly a professional button-pusher who found endless joy in either annoying, teasing, or pranking me.

Fast-forward to my adult years, as a children’s writer, and that old idea evolved into the concept for my next picture book.

What if a kid really could build a better brother—one who never argued, always wanted to play, and did everything you asked?

Only in this story, the plan backfires—spectacularly. Unfortunately, the robot's idea of fun turns out to be way more extreme. After a week of sky-diving, skiing down treacherous mountain slopes and swimming with a school of hungry sharks, it’s chaos on a whole new level.

How to Build a Better Brother is a funny, high-energy story about family, frustration, and the kind of love that even a supercharged robot can’t replace.

I can’t wait for readers (and their siblings!) to dive into this wild, heartwarming adventure. Because sometimes, the brother you already have, turns out to be the best version after all.