My Sister Gracie (Paperback)

by Gillian Johnson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Leaden rhymes and clumsy anthropomorphism derail this story of a dog who hates his "sister." Fabio, a pooch with a puff of white poodle curls on his head, expects his family to acquire a second male dog as his playmate. He's disappointed when the humans choose an overweight female dog instead: "Gracie was large and lacking zest./ They said, 'She'll need a lot of rest.' " Fabio resents Gracie and foresees a rotten future for himself ("Now why is Fabio sad and snappy?/ Gracie was meant to make him happy./ Why do his tears fall down like rain?/ 'If Gracie would go, I'd laugh again' "). But when his canine friends mock his new family member ("Hey, Fatso, you're an/ Ugly hound./ Were you the last one at/ The pound?"), Fabio finally comes to Gracie's rescue. Unfortunately, readers will have a hard time understanding his change of heart. Johnson (Saranohair) draws Gracie as an indeterminate mammal with a pinkish-brown body, no visible fur, a catlike tail and a distinct resemblance to one of Berkeley Breathed's creations. Further, the author never supplies Gracie with a personality, and she styles Fabio as an unsympathetic fellow who weeps and insults other characters when he gets frustrated. This maudlin tale of undoglike, mean-spirited mutts fails as an account of sibling rivalry. Ages 3-5. (Nov.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-Blue-blooded Fabio has everything a dog could want-a bone to chew, a rubber ball, a nice family-but it's still not enough. What he really wants is a brother. When his family announces that they are going to get another dog, Fabio dreams of a "baby thoroughbred" that will accompany him to the park, play ball with him, and enjoy lots of canine capers. But, of course, it's all too good to be true. Not only is the new dog no thoroughbred, SHE is also a homely mutt from the pound. Large, lazy, and none too attractive, Gracie is an embarrassment who won't share her bone, chase balls, or chew rugs. Fabio decides that she must go, but Gracie will have none of his plan to get rid of her. When a tiny terrier declares that Gracie is ugly, though, Fabio rises to the occasion: "-she's my sister after all." The rhyming tale is enhanced by whimsical watercolor cartoons, similar in style to Lynn Munsinger's work. The pictures are humorous, but understated and appealing. An endearing addition to stories about family relationships and sibling rivalry.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books (August 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887767508
• ISBN-13: 978-0887767500
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #981,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely adorable & shows how a family is made, September 19, 2001

By	Leah James (Evans, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Sister Gracie (Hardcover)

"Once upon a time ago there lived a dog named Fabio ... ". I was literally enthralled with this book from the time I read the first line. The topic was light but in my household both of my children are adopted and this discussed similar issues albeit with dogs. How a 'sister' is brought into the household, the older 'brother' doesn't like her, and how they become a family when others tease Gracie.

4.0 out of 5 stars All around cool book, February 17, 2008

By	Miss Print (NYC) - See all my reviews

"My Sister Gracie" is a picture book written and illustrated by Gillian Johnson (originally published in 2005). The book is ostensibly about a lonely dog but, as is the case with any good book (picture or otherwise) it's also about a lot more.

The story starts with Fabio. Fabio has a pretty good life for a dog. Loving family, friends, and lots of toys. But Fabio wants more. To be precise, he wants a brother to play with and share his fun with. As Fabio languishes in the house, his family agrees that Fabio needs a companion. But things don't go quite as planned.

Instead of the mini-Fabio he was hoping for, Fabio's family brings home Gracie--Fabio's new sister! Gracie came from the pound. She's old, tired, shy (and a little weird looking). Nothing like the sprightly companion Fabio had in mind. Certainly not an appropriate addition to his family. Too bad Fabio is the only one who thinks so.

Things only get worse when Fabio and Gracie travel the neighborhood and meet some of Fabio's friends. At least until Fabio realizes that not being able to pick your family doesn't make them any less important.

More perceptive readers than me may have already picked up on the fact that this book would be good for young children expecting a new sibling in the near future. (I only realized that after reading the blurb.) Johnson uses Gracie's arrival to show that new pets (and babies) aren't very exciting playmates and that they need a lot of tender loving care. The book also shows that adopting dogs from a pound or shelter is a commitment. I haven't fully worked out how yet, but I think this book could also work for children who want to get a new pet--but that might be for slightly older children since it's a pretty abstract concept in relation to the crux of the book.

I love the illustrations for this book. I cannot, unfortunately, say what medium Johnson works in as I cannot find that information anywhere online but they look like pencil and ink to me. These drawings are cartoons in the best sense of the word. Fabio is a miniature poodle with what can only be described as a mohawk. And Gracie, well, Gracie is awesome (as is immediately apparent from the picture of her on the cover). Johnson's illustrations, while simple, are rich with motion. You can almost see Gracie waddling along down the street beside Fabio's staccato steps.

As if all of that isn't cool enough, this book is also written in verse--rhyming verse. I've heard lots of different opinions on rhyming in poetry and picture books. Personally, I say if it works, it works. The rhyming works in "My Sister Gracie" adding a lot of rhythm and snap to this cute picture book.

Amazon.com recommends this book for children ages three to five. I think the age might even extend slightly higher if a grown up wanted to talk about the "sibling angle" or the rhyme scheme found in the writing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Children's Book, August 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: My Sister Gracie (Hardcover)

The author has hit a home-run with her brilliant children's book, 'My Sister Gracie'. The book is original, funny and touching. My twin four year-olds love it - we must have read it to them 50 times by now. Highly recommended for young children (and adults!). And oh yes, the illustrations, also by the author are superb.