Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie [Hardcover]

Norton Juster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The sequel to THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW, winner of the 2006 Caldecott Medal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This welcome sequel to the Caldecott Medal title The Hello, Goodbye Window knowingly describes a child's conflicting personalities. "Sometimes I'm Sourpuss," a multiracial girl admits. "And sometimes I'm Sweetie Pie." Her grandparents, Poppy and Nanna, accept her dueling dispositions, but when she visits they like to know whom to expect. "Poppy, it's me, Sweetie Pie," she promises, keeping her alter ego at bay. She does acknowledge her mercurial moods ("Sometimes you can go from Sourpuss to Sweetie Pie so quick," she admits, in a six-stage Hyde to Jekyll transformation), and her grandparents gently tease her ("Pleasant dreams, girls," they joke at bedtime). Both the sunny moments and the tantrums will ring true for readers of any age. Raschka (see Peter and the Wolf, below) devises competing motifs of light daubs and glowering smears, pairing Sweetie Pie's upbeat sky blue, gold, cantaloupe and pink with Sourpuss's grumpy scarlet, mucky green and purple-blue. Sweetie Pie's balletic, floaty postures contrast with Sourpuss's dramatic scowls and defiant stances; the two personas appear virtually side by side for maximum effect. A keeper. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—The endearing preschooler from The Hello, Goodbye Window (Hyperion, 2005) is back in all of her precociousness as her grandparents try to navigate the world of her moods. Their granddaughter seems to actually be two little girls in one. Sourpuss is bratty and contrary while Sweetie Pie is cooperative, sweet, and cuddly. But her grandparents never know which one they'll be seeing next. She can go down for a nap as Sweetie Pie and wake up as her alter ego. Raschka's abstract, vibrant artwork sets up the differences between these two personalities. Sourpuss is all angles and rigid lines, and the use of a far-off perspective distances readers from this contentious child. Conversely, Sweetie Pie is all curves and softness and immensely huggable. What is particularly satisfying is that despite knowing she can be good or bad, the protagonist is sure in her knowledge that her grandparents love her. Her story will resonate with young children who see themselves in the character. The last page is priceless: Nanna and Poppy sitting across from each other in comfy chairs, holding hands, exhausted. Somehow it is clear that they will be there for whoever wakes up in the morning.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Michael di Capua Books (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439929431
• ISBN-13: 978-0439929431
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norton Juster is an architect and planner, professor emeritus of design at Hampshire College, and the author of a number of highly acclaimed children's books, including The Dot and the Line, which was made into an Academy Award-winning animated film. He has collaborated with Sheldon Harnick on the libretto for an opera based on The Phantom Tollbooth. The musical adaptation, with a score by Arnold Black, premiered in 1995 and will soon be performed in schools and theaters nationwide. An amateur cook and professional eater, Mr. Juster lives with his wife in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, May 31, 2009

By 

Jim Falk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie (Hardcover)

A friend recommended this author so we purchased this book for our Grandchildren. They love this book. They want to read it over and over.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too much fun!!!!, October 14, 2010

By 

mom247 "mom24" (Northern VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie (Hardcover)

Our family is having the best time with this book with our 2 year old. It is now the topic of ongoing conversation. Very cute book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, June 15, 2010

By 

Melissa S. Booth "momofone1" (OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sourpuss And Sweetie Pie (Hardcover)

My daughter loved this book. Hopefully it will help her to not be a sourpuss anymore.