Sisters

May 1, 2003
Old favorites make comebacks this spring. Appearing in color for the first time, Sisters (1984) by David McPhail chronicles "the story of two sisters.../ who, in many ways, were different./ .../ But alike the most special way of all." McPhail's pen-and-inks are hand-colored by John O'Connor.

April 1, 2003
PreS. First published in 1984 with exquisite pen-and-ink illustrations in black and white, McPhail's small picture book has now been hand colored by John O'Connor in soft-toned watercolors that add gentle warmth without in any way detracting from the simple words and lively, detailed images of the two sisters together. The essence is in the body language, captured by McPhail's delicate cross-hatching, and each page is an idyllic scenario of the girls playing, talking, disagreeing, competing--but always close and loving. The older girl is protective; the little one is full of mischief. But whether they're baking cookies, dressing up in old-fashioned bonnets, or petting a horse, they love each other. For a new generation of sisters, the situations are timeless. Even if the library has the original book, this new one will be a welcome addition.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2003
This joyful tribute to sisterhood remains a sweet celebration of the ways sisters are alike and how they differ, and how in the end "the way they were most alike was the most special way of all. / Because, you see, they loved each other so very much." The original pen-and-ink illustrations have been colorized, but the overall effect is less jarring than in many other similarly augmented books.

(Copyright 2003 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)