A GUIDE TO SISTERS

Name: A GUIDE TO SISTERS
Author: Paula Metcalf
ISBN: 978-0-553-49899-8

by Paula Metcalf ; illustrated by Suzanne Barton ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2015

Less a guide for preparation for a new baby than a humorous look at sibling dynamics for those who have weathered the storm...

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Thirteen tips explain sibling foibles, told from the perspective of one big sister to all big sisters everywhere.

A precocious young narrator breaks it down for readers: babies are cute and cuddly but hard to understand. Luckily, there is one big sister who has it all figured out, and she is willing to share her newfound knowledge. Broken into 13 categories, from “On the Move” to “Style” and “Sharing,” she explains the intricacies of having a younger sister. The “Getting Started” section begins when a young baby arrives (“They are warm and squishy, like a freshly baked loaf of bread…but you should NOT put butter on them”), but most of the text focuses on a slightly older sibling relationship. This little girl’s younger sister is old enough to follow her around, copy her, and destroy her things—all of the usual tensions. Luckily, tickling can defuse any situation (a handy cutout diagram shows the best spots to target). In the end, all fights are put aside at bedtime, and sweet snuggles abound. Breezy illustrations capture messy mops of hair and shared sisterly smiles; both sisters are white (literally—exposed flesh and hair are simply outlined in quick strokes of black.

Less a guide for preparation for a new baby than a humorous look at sibling dynamics for those who have weathered the storm and are now ready to laugh. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: July 28, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-553-49899-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
HAVE YOU SEEN MY BLANKIE?
by Lucy Rowland ; illustrated by Paula Metcalf

- BOOK REVIEW
NOTHING CAN FRIGHTEN A BEAR
by Elizabeth Dale ; illustrated by Paula Metcalf

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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MAMA BUILT A LITTLE NEST

by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2014

A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.

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Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.

Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.

A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)