What older child hasn’t been annoyed by the younger sibling who follows them around and wants to be part of whatever the older child is doing? Rachel’s Roses is the poignant story of just such a girl who must grapple with the conflicting motives of affection and loyalty toward a sibling and the desire to be separate and independent of that sibling. Ms. Wolff demonstrates, not only her deep understanding of children’s emotions but her love and respect for those feelings. She draws us into Rachel’s inner world and acknowledges her feelings reminding us that children’s beliefs and points of view have value even when we may not want them to act on those beliefs.
As Rachel’s story unfolds, Ms. Wolff helps us to empathize with Rachel when her desire for something she can call her own is at odds with the family values she has absorbed from her warm and loving parents. While describing how she resolves this universal conflict of sibling rivalry, a subtle message is revealed, one that can help children as they struggle with that same issue. This book screams for a chance to read it with a young reader and begin that conversation.
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