Do Like Kyla [Hardcover]

Angela Johnson (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1990 | Age Level: 4 and up

A little girl imitates her big sister Kyla all day, until in the evening Kyla imitates her.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool--"In the morning my big sister Kyla stands at the window, tapping at the birds. I do like Kyla . . . ." So be gins a day of follow the leader between a young child and her older sister. This simply told story highlights such every day events as eating oatmeal and walk ing to the store, aptly capturing a small child's sense of pleasure in imitating an older sibling. There is a nice twist on the last page; before going to bed, the younger sister taps on the window, and Kyla follows suit. The illustrations, done in richly colored oils, often add excitement by use of interesting per spectives. For example, readers see the children from above as they march home stepping in their own snowy foot prints. Unfortunately, in the pictures of Kyla, her expression is sometimes awkward and difficult to read. She looks angry, although there is no indi cation in the text that she ever loses patience with her sister. Despite this in congruity, the story will certainly strike a chord with many young listeners. A universal story that features a warm and loving black family.
-Karen James, Louisville Free Pub. Lib., KY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY); First Edition edition (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531058522
• ISBN-13: 978-0531058527
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,240,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do Like Sister, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Do Like Kyla (Hardcover)

Anyone who has ever had a brother or sister (or raised a few) knows how much younger children like to copy their older siblings. "Do Like Kyla" is a comfortable tale of one day in the life of two sisters. The younger follows the older through each step of their routine, painting a warm picture of closeness. My daughter enjoyed the simple text and colorful pictures of ordinary family life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of our favorite books, May 27, 2009

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do Like Kyla (Orchard Paperbacks) (Paperback)

The close relationship of the sisters is carefully written, and it always tears me up at the end when Kyla copies her baby sister instead of the other way around. And I love the natural, unforced language - your child will emulate *your* speech, not the speech of book characters.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Book, January 24, 2012

By 

Deborah R. Hatt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Do Like Kyla (Orchard Paperbacks) (Paperback)

What a lovely book! Believe it or not, our granddaughter's name is Kyla, and her little sister does just like the little sister in the book - imitating her big sister. This book has beautiful, happy, colorful pictures of the sisters doing all sorts of fun things together. It's focus is positive and strongly supports the joys of having a big sister (or little sister) to share everday events with. Also, kudos for portraying children of color in a strong family setting, enjoying the company of each other in the "little things" of a daily routine. It also strongly portrays an older sibling being a loving "good example" to their younger sibling and the younger sibling being eager to follow suit. A good thing, indeed.