Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. The illustrator of Eve Bunting's Little Badger books (and others) debuts as author in a charming appreciation of the special bond between sisters . Pham writes from the younger child's perspective about hand-me-downs, activities in which big sis invariably calls the shots, and other sibling bugaboos (I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up ). But at times, of course, Big Sister is a big help, as when the nighttime route to the bathroom proves too terrifying to brave alone. Pham's medium is ink applied with a Japanese brush pen, conferring a sprightly, spontaneous look to her figures, which are reminiscent of David Small's work; digitally added color in yummy hues of strawberry, caramel, and chocolate belies the sweetness underlying even moments of tension. The text never rises much above greeting card sentiment , but one can easily imagine big and little sisters--grown-ups and children--giggling together over its many tender truths. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In the first book she has both written and illustrated, Pham (Can You Do This, Old Badger?) lends a fresh and funny perspective to the pros and cons of being second in the birth order. "The Big Sister usually does things first," says the pigtailed, mischievously chubby, narrator of her girly, schoolmarmish elder. "I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up." Although the text is straightforward and familiar in its compare-and-contrast observations ("The Big Sister is very neat. I'm the Little Sister. I'm not"), the book comes alive in Pham's full-page and spot illustrations, created with Japanese brush pen-and-ink and set amid fields of crisp white space. The bold, accomplished brush strokes, washes of predominantly sepia and rose colors, and cheeky characterizations make every vignette bristle and bounce with comic energy. The scenes of sibling collaboration, which often turn treacly in books of this ilk, are every bit as winning as those of sibling conflict. Whether depicting the big sister shielding the little one's eyes from a kissing scene on TV or the little one defiantly smeared with her sister's lipstick ("I'm the little sister. I can't wear lipstick and I'll never be older"), Pham has beautifully captured the touch-and-go affection that is a verity of sibling life. Ages 4-8. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-An impish child laments: "I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up." She relates such indignities as wearing hand-me-downs and having to go to bed at 7:30. Her poised, freckle-faced sibling plays the piano, balances a book on her head, and "thinks she's always right." The relationship does have its perks: "The Big Sister tells all the good stories!" and she "watches out for me." Japanese brush pen-and-ink illustrations with splashes of digitally produced red, pink, and brown show big sis leading the way on a nighttime trip to the bathroom, covering her young charge's eyes from smooching scenes on TV, and performing an impromptu sock-puppet show. Readers will be charmed by the little girl's simply stated truths, and the expressive drawings capture petulant frowns, looks of concentration (with tongue sticking out), and satisfied grins. With warmth and good humor, the ups and downs of sisterly love are perfectly conveyed.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Bold, eye-catching cartoon art, done primarily in browns and pinks, illustrates a little sister's spirited explanation of how she and her big sister are alike and different, e.g., ""The Big Sister thinks she's always right. I'm the Little Sister. I know I'm right."" The humorously understated text helps the illustrations showcase both the friction and the love between the siblings. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Illustrator Pham's first foray into writing illuminates the complex and compelling world of sisterhood. With an air of nonchalance, a younger sibling narrates, discussing conspiratorially with readers the disparity between herself and her older sister. Through the youngster's saucy little speeches, Pham adeptly conveys the feelings that close connection to another individual evoke. At the tale's outset, the younger girl clearly delineates the many differences that set the two apart. However, as it progresses, Pham's expressive brush pen-and-ink illustrations slowly reveal the other side of the story, illustrating the caring that flows between the two. The digitally produced color enlivens the pages with splashes of pure hues, and its not-quite-perfect placements actually fit in with the energy of the illustrations. Pham's depictions of the sisters are full of character and vibrancy; the spunky little sister with her outrageously red cowboy hat and the more refined older sister will resonate with many sibling pairs, young or old. Pham offers a frothy fun tale that at its heart shows the depth and breadth of these relationships as something to be cherished. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
