Sister day

PreS-Gr 2--"Dawn breaks/ new day/ hearts light/ sisters play." It's that simple, that sweet, and that complicated when two loving sisters, presenting as South Asian but in a household that could be Anywhere, U.S.A., race through their home and out the door after the smaller sister finds a fairy doll. She is next seen carrying sticks over to the older sister who is creating a "fairy glen" under a backyard tree. The younger girl trips, creating a muddy mess of the construction site: "mud squish/ sisters glare/ smash kick/ hearts flare." Flare is right! But just as quickly the sisterly bonds reknit themselves as the girls create a fairy mud hut in the shape of a mushroom and peace is restored; a white winged horse appears out of nowhere to join the fairy doll. The book might have ended on this upbeat note, but Gopal (My Paati's Saris) captures the entire arc of a "sister day" right down to the snug nighttime rituals. The text pops and the digital illustrations use texture and color to keep up with the girls' energy as they cycle through childhood's myriad emotions. VERDICT A celebration of sisterhood, of play, and problem-solving, all at once. A perfect purchase.--Ginnie Abbott

Two sisters embark on a backyard adventure. A young girl wakes up her sister by grabbing her quilt off the bed. A chase ensues, and the two girls turn the quilt into a swing. Later, while they play hide-and-seek, one of them finds a fairy doll in the closet. The siblings head to the backyard, where they start constructing a fairy glen out of sticks and flowers. One of the girls accidentally knocks over a bucket of water, destroying their hard work. A heated argument follows: "Anger bursts / words slice / tears build / NOT NICE!" After a good cry, they both apologize and turn their attention to the muddy slush, turning it into a mushroom home for their doll. They run, jump, and play for the rest of the day before finally falling asleep, content. While the children's argument is resolved a bit too quickly, the mercurial dynamics of the sibling bond and the girls' personalities shine through in the staccato text. The colorful, cheery illustrations are full of playful moments that show the children using their imaginations. The girls and their mother are depicted in warm shades of brown, and the textiles and aesthetics of their home cue them as South Asian. An ode to sisterly love and creative play. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.