SISTER DAY!

Using her large imagination, a little girl shows how much she loves her busy big sister.

Lizzie wants nothing more than to be and play with her big sister, Jane, who, Lizzie tells readers, has “the best imagination.” Alas, Jane’s also got a lot going on, what with her busy (arguably overprogrammed) schedule: in addition to homework and play dates with a friend, there are lessons and practice sessions in soccer, ballet, karate, and piano. What’s a sad, lonely sibling to do? Finally Lizzie hits on a plan to capture Jane’s attention and her precious time in a really spectacular way. The charming, expressive, digitally rendered illustrations follow Jane’s daily activities on double-page spreads while depicting Lizzie painstakingly portraying each day’s routines in picture-story form. On the appointed day, Lizzie amasses and displays her week’s artworks on and around several walls, to Jane’s amazement. But, unbeknownst to Lizzie, Jane has secretly created a wonderful surprise for her sibling as well. The sisters are white, but Sánchez places a multiracial bevy of children and adults in Jane’s many activities. While thin and exploring a well-trod concept—each sister’s unbreakable bond of love for the other—the telling is sweet, upbeat, and refreshing in presenting not a hint of rivalry or meanness. Young readers who enjoy loving sibling relationships in their own families will appreciate finding common ground here and may even pick up an idea or two.

Nice for family sharing.