In Bud, Not Buddy, how are the characters Bud and Herman similar?

At first glance, Bud and Herman seem very different from one another, and in many ways they are. Herman is a distant, gruff and abrupt older, large man who appears mean. Bud is a small, young boy who is very talkative, friendly and helpful.

However, the two do have some deeper characteristics in common beyond the obvious genes we find out they do in fact share. Bud and Herman both tremendously miss Bud's mother, who...

At first glance, Bud and Herman seem very different from one another, and in many ways they are. Herman is a distant, gruff and abrupt older, large man who appears mean. Bud is a small, young boy who is very talkative, friendly and helpful.

However, the two do have some deeper characteristics in common beyond the obvious genes we find out they do in fact share. Bud and Herman both tremendously miss Bud's mother, who is also Herman's daughter. This longing for someone who has died drives many of the decisions they both make and attitudes they both have. While Bud takes action to locate his mother, Herman throws himself into his music when Bud's mother runs away.

Another characteristic the two appear to share is a talent for music. When Bud is given the recorder by the band members so that he can learn music, it is not long before he has shown he has some talent. By the end of the story, the band members have given Bud a saxophone to begin learning to play.