Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick

Who can resist a Henkes book? Move over Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Julius the Baby of the World...another book by Henkes which is surely destined to be a children's classic has arrived! We parents remember what it is like to have a treat all of our own and our reluctance to share it, and our preschoolers can certainly relate to the dilemma! "I want to share it but if I do I will have less for myself". When a mishap befalls the peppermint stick the sharing process becomes much easier and both girls in the story are delighted with the outcome. After all, Sheila Rae was planning on sharing from the very beginning. (Or so she says!)A fun story with adorable pictures.

Most board books are descriptive - 'Cow says moo...Sheep says baa..etc.'. But this one has a storyline, amusing and cleverly constructed characters, and very expressive illustrations. It is amazing that this kind of a story has been made to fit in a board book format. The story is about two mice - Sheila Rae, the older sister, has a peppermint stick that her younger sister, Louise, covets. Sheila Rae teases her in a typical big sisterly way, and says she can have a lick if she can guess how many stripes there are on the stick. Sheila Rae knows that Louise cannot guess correctly. In the end, Sheila Rae climbs high up on a stool and some books, and says Louise can have the stick if she can reach it. But then, Sheila Rae herself stumbles and falls, and the peppermint breaks into two pieces, one for each sister. A clever and face-saving solution for both sisters who then hug and kiss. The illustrations are simple but very cute and convey the ages and attitudes of the two characters - the smug, teasing older sister who looks six, and a smaller younger sister (maybe three years old) who follows her big sister around and hangs on to her every word, while clutching her teddy bear. This book is perfect to read aloud with preschoolers (like Louise). Slightly older children (the Sheila Raes) can read the book by themselves. It is a very interesting book that beginning readers will want to read again and again.

If you haven't met Kevin Henkes or his little mice characters, you and your child (or your grandchild) are missing a great experience. In this book, Sheila Rae has a peppermint stick that she's having a hard time sharing. The illustrations are delightful, and the situations in all of Henkes' books are true to life, so any child can relate and learn something without a bit of sermonizing. If you like this story, try "Owen's Marshmallow Chick" and "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse". Don't miss the expression in his characters' eyes as you flip through the books. Your little ones will love reading and rereading them. The board books are just right for the tiniest hands. My one-year old grandson, three-year old granddaughter, and the students in my reading classes are all Kevin Henkes fans. If you have a chance to meet him, grab the opportunity. He's a shy, gifted author and illustrator.

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!

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!