Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick [Board book]

Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up

One peppermint stick.
Two sisters.
See sibling rivalry
turn to sweet solidarity.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Almost fearless Sheila Rae, of Sheila Rae, the Brave fame, is back... this time with a peppermint stick. This peppermint stick is "long. And striped. And thin. And sweet." And it's all hers. But then along comes Sheila Rae's little sister, Louise, hankering for some of that spicy sweetness. "Please?" she says, ever so hopefully. Sheila Rae, in the quintessential way of big sisters, proceeds to taunt, torment, and tease her younger sibling. "You can have one lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." Smugly, she waits for Louise's answer of "Thirteen-seven." Readers of the earlier Sheila Rae title will not be too surprised to see this mouse heroine get her comeuppance once again, and everyone will rejoice at the happy, win-win finale.

Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and many other award-winning and beloved picture books, creates a charming pair of characters in this simple, very amusing story with a familiar theme. The small board-book format--Henkes's first!--is perfect for the tiny hands of young readers. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

In his first board-book format, Kevin Henkes brings the star of Sheila Rae, the Brave back in Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick. Here, the familiar theme of sibling rivalry surfaces between the heroine and her younger sister, Louise. As one might suspect, Sheila Rae meets her comeuppance, and in the end, all is well.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Board book: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060294515
• ISBN-13: 978-0060294519
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the creator of many distinguished books for children, including Kitten's First Full Moon (winner of the Caldecott Medal), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Chrysanthemum. His novels for young people include Olive's Ocean (a Newbery Honor Book) and Bird Lake Moon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheila Rae, You Gotta Love Her....., September 4, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick (Board book)

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!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Long and striped and thin and sweet, April 10, 2002

By 

Elizabeth Bennett (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick (Board book)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A board book with a story, February 1, 2006

By 

Rekha Achyutuni (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick (Board book)

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.