Buchet, Nelly. Big Sister, Long Coat. Rachel Katstaller, Illus. NorthSouth, 03/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.95. 978-0-73584-551-0. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.
Intending the best day ever, a smiling, freckled, curly-haired teen sister and a rosy-cheeked, light-brown haired younger sister head out into an urban environment. The younger child narrates the excursion with short, simple, colloquial sentences in san-serif text. The weather doesn’t cooperate, plans change, and crowds get in the way. Vibrantly colored, visually arresting colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the indomitable good cheer and creative resilience of the older sister and the palpable love and appreciation of the younger. Charming visual details are tucked inside the many double-page spreads and diverse crowd scenes. A testament to sibling love that begs for multiple reads. The older sister has tan skin, the younger is paler.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired