King of the Castle, written by Heather Smith and illustrated by Andrea Armstrong. Kids Can Press, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Eventually, he stops needing the ladder. 

He launches himself into his bunk in two 
seconds flat. 

I know this because I timed him on the 
stopwatch he no longer uses. 

On Saturdays, he goes out with his friends.

I stay home and read comics for free. 

One day, he tells me he's going away
to summer camp."

Every bedtime finds two brothers settling in for the night in their bunkbeds; the older is 'the king' on top and reminds his younger brother endlessly of that superiority. There are issues, of course, our young narrator explains. The day often ends with teasing before sleep. He knows, however, that his older brother is always there. When he is alone, he climbs the bed's ladder and notices that his brother's 'keep out' box has jujubes in it even though there is a NO FOOD IN THE BEDROOM rule. If he tells, he will be found out. He says nothing. 

Their routines are fixed. The older brother is forever in charge; the younger one not always thrilled with the rules he must live by. Time passes and things begin to change. The older brother is now spending more time with his friends, and soon he is off for a week at summer camp. 

"He says, "In seven days, I'll 
have a new bunk bed." 

I wonder if he'll get a new rascal."

The day for camp arrives; the worry grows stronger. Nights are frightening, as night noises are louder and hard to pinpoint. Days are endless without his brother's presence. When mom sends him outside, he reluctantly goes to the park where other kids invite him to play. He is gone all day. That night, as he checks out the top bunk once again, he finds a note of warning to stay out of the shoebox. Who obeys such a thing? Inside he finds his favorite, gummy bears!

Sibling relationships can be complicated. Heather Smith shows her readers that in this touching story. Andrea Armstrong's digital art is emotional and expressive in multiple scenes as the two live life together - and apart. It's sure to inspire conversations with both younger and older siblings concerning their memories and experiences.