BIG SISTER, LONG COAT

Two siblings have an unexpected day out together.

The day is supposed to be fantastic, but nothing goes as planned. First, the sun beats down and it’s unbearably hot—“legs-stick-to-the-seat hot.” Ice cream immediately melts into sweet rivulets. Then, a sudden rainstorm appears. Everyone scatters under colorful umbrellas, and the big sister pulls on a long yellow slicker. But that offers little protection from the wave of water that splashes up as a car drives through a puddle. The pair must cut their visit to the zoo short. They rush to find shelter, but everything is closing (including the library) or has long lines that stretch out the door. Can they turn this day around? Short, staccato sentences convey the string of disappointments: “We were soaked. And hungry. With nowhere to go.” Large-scale paneled art fills the pages, offering more details to pore over. Readers will enjoy spotting the stuffed lemur that the older sister gives her younger sibling after they attempt a visit to the lemur exhibit, although some kids may wonder if it’s real (it looks rather lifelike in some scenes). Luckily the duo find joy in small moments: stargazing, puddle jumping, and just being together. The older sister is tan-skinned; the younger sibling is lighter-skinned.

Proof that a switch of perspective on a tough day can be a lifesaver.