05 Oct / The Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Pakistani Canadian writer Rukhsana Khan takes on sibling rivalry once again, but unlike her adorable 2005 title, Silly Chicken, this time, all her characters are all of the human variety …
When Rubina gets invited to her first-ever birthday party, her mother – being of a different culture– insists that she must take her younger sister Sana along. Ami will not budge, and Rubina has no choice but to call her friend Sally about the unwanted extra guest.
At the party, Sana is the typical little sister. She has to win, she falls, she cries. Her not-so-considerate behavior doesn’t get much better at home, either. Worst of all, it will be a long time before Rubina is asked to another party …
Still, Rubina proves her older, more mature, big sister mettle when Sana comes home in great excitement with an invitation of her own …
Illustrator Sophie Blackall clearly seems to be having the most fun of all … the two-page spread with an aerial view of angry Rubina giving chase after a wicked little Sana as they dash from room to room adds gleeful energy indeed. Oh, what a challenge it is to be the oldest!
Readers: Children
Published: 2010