Don't Let The Peas Touch - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 2–The trials, tribulations, and triumphs of sisterhood are perfectly captured in this trio of tales. In the first, big sister Annie is applying her newly acquired cooking skills but little sister Sophie has a set of culinary rules all her own. "The peas are touching the eggs! Don't let them touch!" A frustrated Annie uses some ingenuity and a lazy Susan to save the day. In the second vignette, Annie needs some quiet time and Sophie tries (but fails) to oblige. Both girls plumb their flexibility, imaginations, and affections when Annie introduces Sophie to a unique and ultimately satisfying pet in the final story. The personalities of these sisters shine throughout this well-paced, lengthy picture book. Sophie is, at times, a tiny termagantbut also an avid admirer of Annie, who is often exasperated by but truly cares for her exuberant sibling. Their dialogue realistically veers from gentle compassion to shouted insults. The pencil, pen, and, acrylic illustrations are lively and winsome and the cheerful palette reflects the upbeat tone. Moments of high drama explode across the page and eyebrows speak volumes in Ering's witty artwork. The dynamics of sibling relationships, both mundane and meaningful, are expertly captured so expect some heartfelt sighs from both adult readers and young listeners alike.–Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
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K-Gr. 3. This large-format picture book features three stories about young Sophie and her older sister, Annie. When Annie decides to try her hand at cooking a meal for the family, Sophie's determination not to let the foods on her plate touch each other exasperates Annie until she comes up with a creative solution. In the second, Annie tries to establish a quiet time for reading but finds that Sophie (who cannot read) has different ideas on the subject. In the third, Annie teases Sophie but tries to make amends by giving her a surprising "pet." Original and entertaining, the stories express strong feelings as well as subtle nuances in sibling relations. The artwork explores the same emotional range with equal finesse. Acrylic paintings, sometimes delineated with ink and pencil lines, illustrate the tales with enormous energy, abundant color, and a keen sense of drama. A good read-aloud choice for families. Carolyn Phelan
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