ROSIE AND BUTTERCUP

Rosie is supremely satisfied with her perfectly ordered life. Even the arrival of her baby sister Buttercup initially appears to fit seamlessly into Rosie’s plans—after all, every budding ballerina enjoys having an understudy. However, as Buttercup becomes increasingly mobile, Rosie’s tidy life begins to unravel and her enthrallment with Buttercup begins to wane. This leads to her precipitous decision to give her sister to a friendly neighbor. Uegaki’s tale travels the familiar ground of older-sibling angst. While the resolution—a remorseful Rosie trades her favorite snack to get Buttercup back—is no surprise, Uegaki’s saucy protagonist and her wry observations will garner fans among young readers. Jorisch’s watercolor illustrations have a quaint feel to them that suits the easygoing tenor of the tale. This understanding offering is bound to reassure young readers also struggling to adjust to a new sibling. (Picture Book. 3-7)