Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for Preschoolers
Review: A favourite of young and old alike at the Watts' house, this book has it all. (Ignore the review that says Louise grabs the stick and breaks it...she does no such thing.) It's perfect for reading aloud--or for reciting by those who aren't yet reading. The brief, well-chosen text lends itself easily to expressive vocal interpretation. Loads of personality are packed into the simple, cartoon-ish illustrations. All this plus a great plot and twist on a child's level make this book one of our most cherished.

Rating:
Summary: Greatest Board Book EVER!
Review: Don't even think about it. Buy it. My 2 year old makes me read it over and over and over again. She's memorized it and I am thankful that it's short and sweet and striped and thin. It's fun to read for the adult and child alike!

Rating:
Summary: Sheila Rae, You Gotta Love Her.....
Review: Sheila Rae has a peppermint stick. It's long and striped and thin and sweet. But most importantly, it's all hers. When little sister, Louise, asks for just a taste, one little lick, Sheila Rae does her best, big sister style, to torment and tease tiny Louise. "You can have a lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." And of course poor Louise doesn't have a clue. But when Sheila Rae's second challenge backfires, the two sisters work out a winning compromise that leaves Sheila Rae, Louise and the reader, happy..... Nobody captures the ups and downs of sibling relationships quite as well as Kevin Henkes. His easy to read text and dialogue are down to earth and true to life and his characters are so real they could live right next door. Youngsters will easily identify with Sheila Rae and Louise, since they're sure to have played out many similar situations with their own brothers, sisters or friends. Add Mr Henkes charming and expressive artwork and you have the makings of a terrific little book that's perfect for pre-schoolers and emerging readers. This is Kevin Henkes' first board book and it's sure to join his many classics as a new family favorite. Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick is a winner!

Rating:
Summary: Sheila Rae, You Gotta Love Her.....
Review: Sheila Rae has a peppermint stick. It's long and striped and thin and sweet. But most importantly, it's all hers. When little sister, Louise, asks for just a taste, one little lick, Sheila Rae does her best, big sister style, to torment and tease tiny Louise. "You can have a lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." And of course poor Louise doesn't have a clue. But when Sheila Rae's second challenge backfires, the two sisters work out a winning compromise that leaves Sheila Rae, Louise and the reader, happy..... Nobody captures the ups and downs of sibling relationships quite as well as Kevin Henkes. His easy to read text and dialogue are down to earth and true to life and his characters are so real they could live right next door. Youngsters will easily identify with Sheila Rae and Louise, since they're sure to have played out many similar situations with their own brothers, sisters or friends. Add Mr Henkes charming and expressive artwork and you have the makings of a terrific little book that's perfect for pre-schoolers and emerging readers. This is Kevin Henkes' first board book and it's sure to join his many classics as a new family favorite. Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick is a winner!

Rating:
Summary: Sheila's back!
Review: Sheila Rae of "Sheila the Brave" is back again. This time, she's received a long peppermint stick that she doesn't want to share with her little sister Louise. Sheila continues to promise Louise the stick, if only she can guess a series of questions Sheila thinks Louise will never be able to answer. Much to Sheila's chagrin, Louise bests her. When Sheila refuses, Louise grabs the stick, and it breaks in half. Peppermint sticks for everyone! "Sharing" is probably the moral of this story, but Kevin Henke's unique story-telling makes it much more fun than a finger wagging Aesop's Fable. This book is available in board form, my favorite for younger kids- they're virtually indestructable. My son threw one into a tub full of water, and apart from a little warping, the book still looks and works fine. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Long and striped and thin and sweet
Review: Sheila Rae's Pepperment Stick became an instant favourite at our house. Our 18 month old son has to take it everywhere with him... in the car, into the grocery store, into bed. I like it, too, because at the very end, I always get a big hug and kiss.

My concern about the book is the portrayal of the classic interaction between an older and a younger sibling: teasing with that edge of clever nastiness. I've now become somewhat immune to it but during the first few readings I cringed, wondering if taunting needs to be modeled even in charming books. My husband and I, however, are careful to leave that tone (how easy it comes to us!) out of our voices as we read Sheila Rae's responses to Louise.

All in all, it is a fun book and wonderfully illustrated. It is great to see Sheila Rae being a good sport when she is foiled by her own game.