Little Sisters
by Tomo Miura; illus. by the author; trans. from French by Nanette McGuinness
Preschool    Arctis    40 pp.
2/24    9781646900398    $18.00

A little girl dreams of what it would be like to have siblings. The narrator imagines first having one sister to “build giant towers and play hide-and-seek with,” then more sisters to “huddle, cuddle, and snuggle together,” and finally, a house full of “tons of little sisters.” In the end, she declares that she’s happy as an only child: “At least I have my mommy all to myself!” The story’s charm is amplified by its harmonious blend of text and illustration. Miura’s simple, playful art brings the child’s imaginary sisters to life, nicely capturing her creativity. The little sisters are “just like me, only smaller”: all wear black dresses, and their black hair is cut in the same pageboy style. The siblings share the pink-cheeked narrator’s pale skin, but their cheeks are pinkish-orange. The narrative, with its gentle and rhythmic repetition, echoes the child’s growing excitement and eventual contentment. With its universal themes of imagination, family love, and acceptance, Miura’s appealing picture book carries the message of appreciating what one has while leaving room for dreams and flights of fancy.

Pubissue-From the March/April 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.