Sister Day

PreS-Gr 2–“Dawn breaks/ new day/ hearts light/ sisters play.” It’s that simple, that sweet, and that complicated when two loving sisters, presenting as South Asian but in a household that could be Anywhere, U.S.A., race through their home and out the door after the smaller sister finds a fairy doll. She is next seen carrying sticks over to the older sister who is creating a “fairy glen” under a backyard tree. The younger girl trips, creating a muddy mess of the construction site: “mud squish/ sisters glare/ smash kick/ hearts flare.” Flare is right! But just as quickly the sisterly bonds reknit themselves as the girls create a fairy mud hut in the shape of a mushroom and peace is restored; a white winged horse appears out of nowhere to join the fairy doll. The book might have ended on this upbeat note, but Gopal (My Paati’s Saris) captures the entire arc of a “sister day” right down to the snug nighttime rituals. The text pops and the digital illustrations use texture and color to keep up with the girls’ energy as they cycle through childhood’s myriad emotions.