Synopsis: The Pain is six years old. His sister, The Great One, is eight. Like any siblings they drive each other crazy. In funny, characterful episodes, the Porter family comes to life as The Pain and The Great One battle it out in the small dramas of everyday life.

Review: Read by Kathleen Mcinerney, this is an amusing collection of events between two siblings. Both are convinced they are better than the other but despite their arguements there are times when they show how much they really care about each other. The stories are set in America so much of the terminology is American and for younger children this would have to be explained, I have only just worked out what cleats are!

The different episodes raise a number of issues around sibling rivalry that could be discussed within the class. The CD explores different feelings and fears that many children can identify with such as being scared of a haircut, riding a bike or friends not liking the same things as you. Kathleen Mcinerney does an excellent job of supplying the voices for all the characters. It is also good to have the author, Judy Blume included by adding the voice of Fluzzy.

2008-05-15