Review by Booklist Review
In this first-person narrative, a boy tells about a big-brother milestone: the first time he walked his little sister home from her school bus stop. Along the way, the two talk, negotiate, and even play a bit. Singing as she bounces along the sidewalk, the cheerful girl picks up all sorts of trash (paper clips, leaves, a flower). After recklessly chasing a big dog, she cowers behind her brother when she hears baby squirrels. She dawdles when he urges her to keep ahead of a storm cloud, and then runs full tilt to chase a bird. Though looking after his sister is challenging, it brings rewards as well. The illustrator of Evie and Ryan Cordell's Two Girls Want a Puppy (2015), Lam offers a simply written story featuring believably childlike characters. The illustrations, expressive pencil drawings with watercolor washes, are accessible and appealing. A nice addition to the picture-book shelves, this story highlights the positive side as well as the challenges of dealing with younger siblings.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-In this endearing tale, two siblings walk home from school together for the first time. Readers bounce, hop, and giggle with a boy and his little sister as they embark on an adventure from the bus stop to their front door. Along the way, they dodge a thunderstorm, hide from some eager squirrels, pick up found treasures, play medieval knights, and sing new songs. Challenges arise when the little sister misses her teddy bear and when she has to use the potty. When she falls in a puddle, she doesn't cry at all, and her big brother agrees that she's number one and very brave. A proud mom waits for the pair at home, where they're greeted with hugs and kisses. After dinner, the boy is given a most special honor from his proud family. Expressive illustrations evoke the characters' moods perfectly, and the simple compositions are paced for easy visual navigation. Watercolor and pencil illustrations lend themselves to the relatable quality of this poignant tale. VERDICT Caregivers and children alike will enjoy this book as a way to introduce an important milestone.-Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library c Copyright 2016. 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
For the very first time, Mom asks me to take my little sister home from the bus stop--all by myself!" Big bro lovingly guides sis home, along the way discussing her day, rationalizing when she has to go potty, and calming her during a thunderstorm. Expressively illustrated in colored pencil and watercolor, the child-focused story sweetly captures the protective brother's satisfying accomplishment. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
For the first time, a boy walks his younger sister home all by himself. Big brother is proud of his newfound responsibility: walking his little sister home from the school bus stop. He takes his duty very seriously as he tries to keep up with his sister's boundless energy. The narrator keeps a watchful eye on little sister as she picks up trinkets, chases dogs, and hides from squirrels. Even though he thinks the trinkets she collects are trash, he doesn't discourage her curiosity. He thoughtfully answers her many questions. The siblings stop for a quick game of medieval knights, dueling with tree branches. Little sister slips on a puddle when their walk is interrupted by a thunderstorm. Big brother soothes her and they make it home after the storm passes. Lam captures the earnest relationship between young siblings. Her soft-colored pencil-and-watercolor illustrations flow with little sister's energy. Young readers will relate to the siblings' animated reactions to each part of their walk. Her characters' simple facial features are boldly expressive with just a few lines. Asian-American Lam's siblings and mom are black-haired and golden-skinned, though their physiognomies are ethnically ambiguous. Lam's words and drawings offer tangible evidence to the intangible love between siblings. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
