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Big Red Lollipop
Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do? Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 844 reviews
July 1, 2025
Another 'smile-on-you-face-there-is-still-hope' book! Not sure if it just me...candy really holds lots of good memories from my past. I can still remember getting candy with friends; riding my bike around the neighborhood, trying to scrounge up more money so that we could get more candy and comics! This book brought back all those good memories for me!
May 14, 2010
Yeah, I have a little sister. Have since I was six. And like most older siblings I had the usual older sis/younger sis relationship with her you might imagine. We older siblings get a lot of innate perks, being the first and all, but when you're a kid you have a tendency to only notice the problems. Little sisters want to go everywhere with their older sibs. That's just the nature of the game. What author Rukhsana Khan has done with her newest picture book Big Red Lollipop is tell a new story of little sis/big sis woes with a twist that'll knock young readers' socks off. It doesn't matter if a kid is an older sibling, younger sibling, or only child. This book packs a wallop, in part because of the art of Sophie Blackall, and in part because Khan has given us one of the best stories about forgiveness I've read in a very long time.
What a nightmare! When Rubina ran home one day to tell her mother than she was invited to a birthday party, she couldn't believe it when her Ami told her she had to make sure her little sister Sana was invited too. And not only does her little sister pitch a fit when she doesn't win all the games at that party, but she eats all the candy in her goody bag right away. Rubina's a more patient type. She saves her own big red lollipop on the top shelf of the fridge so that she'll be able to eat it first thing the next day. Imagine her horror then when Sana eats HER lollipop too! And her mother doesn't even take Rubina's side! A couple years later, Sana gets invited to a birthday party of her own and is shocked when her mother says she has to bring HER younger sister Maryam along. Rubina could say nothing and let Sana get what's coming to her, but instead she tells their Ami to let Sana go by herself. Ami agrees. After the party, Sana gives Rubina the big green lollipop she got as a gift at the party. "After that we're friends."
Part of what I love about this book is how it manages to come up with a new universal truth; No matter what country, culture, religion, or background you are from, there is one thing on which we can all agree: little sisters are annoying. Rubina may be Pakistani-Canadian, but this story is a perfect melding of culture clash and something that could happen to anyone, regardless of where they're from. In this particular case Rubina's Ami insists on Sana accompanying her older sister to a birthday party, but there are plenty of parents here in America from other races and religions that would insist on the very same thing. And the outcome, let's face it, might be exactly the same as what you find here. The difference is only in the details.
On a more basic level, I was also keen on how Khan constructed the story. She could have begun by wasting time showing Rubina receiving her invitation at school. Instead, the first line of the book is, "I'm so excited I run all the way home from school." This allows Rubina to tell both her mother and the reader the news about her birthday party invitation at the same time. I like how information is conveyed here. I also like how well Khan is able to show that time has passed without saying something as rote as "three years later". Rubina gives a short "I don't get any invitations for a really long time", and we later see the girls older thanks to this line and thanks to Blackall's pictures. It's a wonderful melding of image and text telling a single tale.
Artist Sophie Blackall has written her own fair share of picture books in her time. In a way, she cut her teeth on inter-girl arguments and friendships when she illustrated the Ivy & Bean series for Annie Barrows. Here, she places most of her characters against a white background, allowing their expressions to really pop off the page. You have the distinct impression that Blackall knows from whence she illustrates too. There's something about little Sana crying about not being able to go to the birthday party with Rubina that looks calculated. I think it's the fact that her left eye is closed, while the right one looks sneakily over at her older sis. And look at that last picture of the two girls with their arms around one another. That, combined with the sentence, "After that we're friends" just hits me where it hurts. Sana is looking at the viewer. Rubina is looking over at the little sister that has unexpectedly made amends after all those years.
The attention to detail within the pages is also remarkable. I love the Formica dining room table where the girls color and do their homework while Ami types on her laptop. It grounds the book in the present, which I really appreciate. I love the sheer variety of colors and patterns on the clothes of the characters and the fancy borders around cutaway images. Personally, I'm convinced that the first page of the book is an unconscious homage to the Sophie Blackall cover of Newbery winner Rebecca Stead's book When You Reach Me. Something about the maplike quality of it.
When it comes down to it, this is a book about grace. Self-sacrifice is never felt more keenly by a child than when a story speaks on their level about something they understand. I could read a kid parable after parable about forgiveness and not make so much as a dent in their scaly little brains. But tell them a story about an older sister being wronged by her younger sibling and then going out of her way, in spite of her anger, to keep that same sister from experiencing a similar fate... THAT hits home. Hear that? That is the sound of thousands of tiny jaws plummeting downwards after getting to the end of this tale. It's their little minds trying to grasp the concept of not taking an eye for an eye or, in this case, a lollipop for a lollipop. And I won't blame you a jot if you tear up just a little bit at the end of this book.
I was going to sum all this up by saying that kids like comeuppance stories, but who am I kidding? Adults, for crying out loud, like comeuppance stories. They like to see the "villain" of a piece get a taste of their own medicine. There are hundreds of stories out there like that. Far rarer is the story that believably shows one character letting another one off the hook for no reason other than the fact that it's the right thing to do. And remarkably, Khan does it without plunging into some kind of wild didacticism. This story is different. Show don't tell, they say. Khan shows. The results are telling. One of my favorite picture books of the year.
Ages 4-8.
What a nightmare! When Rubina ran home one day to tell her mother than she was invited to a birthday party, she couldn't believe it when her Ami told her she had to make sure her little sister Sana was invited too. And not only does her little sister pitch a fit when she doesn't win all the games at that party, but she eats all the candy in her goody bag right away. Rubina's a more patient type. She saves her own big red lollipop on the top shelf of the fridge so that she'll be able to eat it first thing the next day. Imagine her horror then when Sana eats HER lollipop too! And her mother doesn't even take Rubina's side! A couple years later, Sana gets invited to a birthday party of her own and is shocked when her mother says she has to bring HER younger sister Maryam along. Rubina could say nothing and let Sana get what's coming to her, but instead she tells their Ami to let Sana go by herself. Ami agrees. After the party, Sana gives Rubina the big green lollipop she got as a gift at the party. "After that we're friends."
Part of what I love about this book is how it manages to come up with a new universal truth; No matter what country, culture, religion, or background you are from, there is one thing on which we can all agree: little sisters are annoying. Rubina may be Pakistani-Canadian, but this story is a perfect melding of culture clash and something that could happen to anyone, regardless of where they're from. In this particular case Rubina's Ami insists on Sana accompanying her older sister to a birthday party, but there are plenty of parents here in America from other races and religions that would insist on the very same thing. And the outcome, let's face it, might be exactly the same as what you find here. The difference is only in the details.
On a more basic level, I was also keen on how Khan constructed the story. She could have begun by wasting time showing Rubina receiving her invitation at school. Instead, the first line of the book is, "I'm so excited I run all the way home from school." This allows Rubina to tell both her mother and the reader the news about her birthday party invitation at the same time. I like how information is conveyed here. I also like how well Khan is able to show that time has passed without saying something as rote as "three years later". Rubina gives a short "I don't get any invitations for a really long time", and we later see the girls older thanks to this line and thanks to Blackall's pictures. It's a wonderful melding of image and text telling a single tale.
Artist Sophie Blackall has written her own fair share of picture books in her time. In a way, she cut her teeth on inter-girl arguments and friendships when she illustrated the Ivy & Bean series for Annie Barrows. Here, she places most of her characters against a white background, allowing their expressions to really pop off the page. You have the distinct impression that Blackall knows from whence she illustrates too. There's something about little Sana crying about not being able to go to the birthday party with Rubina that looks calculated. I think it's the fact that her left eye is closed, while the right one looks sneakily over at her older sis. And look at that last picture of the two girls with their arms around one another. That, combined with the sentence, "After that we're friends" just hits me where it hurts. Sana is looking at the viewer. Rubina is looking over at the little sister that has unexpectedly made amends after all those years.
The attention to detail within the pages is also remarkable. I love the Formica dining room table where the girls color and do their homework while Ami types on her laptop. It grounds the book in the present, which I really appreciate. I love the sheer variety of colors and patterns on the clothes of the characters and the fancy borders around cutaway images. Personally, I'm convinced that the first page of the book is an unconscious homage to the Sophie Blackall cover of Newbery winner Rebecca Stead's book When You Reach Me. Something about the maplike quality of it.
When it comes down to it, this is a book about grace. Self-sacrifice is never felt more keenly by a child than when a story speaks on their level about something they understand. I could read a kid parable after parable about forgiveness and not make so much as a dent in their scaly little brains. But tell them a story about an older sister being wronged by her younger sibling and then going out of her way, in spite of her anger, to keep that same sister from experiencing a similar fate... THAT hits home. Hear that? That is the sound of thousands of tiny jaws plummeting downwards after getting to the end of this tale. It's their little minds trying to grasp the concept of not taking an eye for an eye or, in this case, a lollipop for a lollipop. And I won't blame you a jot if you tear up just a little bit at the end of this book.
I was going to sum all this up by saying that kids like comeuppance stories, but who am I kidding? Adults, for crying out loud, like comeuppance stories. They like to see the "villain" of a piece get a taste of their own medicine. There are hundreds of stories out there like that. Far rarer is the story that believably shows one character letting another one off the hook for no reason other than the fact that it's the right thing to do. And remarkably, Khan does it without plunging into some kind of wild didacticism. This story is different. Show don't tell, they say. Khan shows. The results are telling. One of my favorite picture books of the year.
Ages 4-8.
February 28, 2018
I really hated this book. I know people are saying it is about cultural differences in such but I just don't buy it. Fairness and unfairness are cross cultural. In fact ideas fairness and unfairness are seen across pretty much all primate groups and among many other non-human animals (e.g. dogs and horses). Yes, I can see that, perhaps, and with a big grain of salt, the mother might not understand about birthdays due to cultural difference, HOWEVER, the mother still has no respect at all for the feelings of the older daughter, completely giving in to the wants of the little sister. Also, the whole idea of the little sister getting to eat her entire lollipop and then that of her older sister as well has nothing to do with cross cultural ideas. It is about fairness and it is not fair that the older sister must give up her lollipop just because the younger one wants it. Even dogs would know that that is unfair; people, no matter their cultural background ought to know that too.
To me the book read as an abusive/at least borderline abusive parent making a golden child of the middle sister and scapegoat of the older one. But, you argue at the end the mother tried to make the middle take the youngest to the party. Hah! That reinforces my point. The middle daughter was at the age of having her own friends, precisely the age that the abusive parent will turn on the golden child in order to force her back in line (under the mother's thumb), moving her into scapegoat 2 position with the youngest, still most compliant being bumped up into the golden child spot.
No, I did not like this book. I really hated it. Abusive behaviour is abusive behaviour no matter what culture you are from. It is insulting that the book tries to pass it off as 'cultural differences'.
To me the book read as an abusive/at least borderline abusive parent making a golden child of the middle sister and scapegoat of the older one. But, you argue at the end the mother tried to make the middle take the youngest to the party. Hah! That reinforces my point. The middle daughter was at the age of having her own friends, precisely the age that the abusive parent will turn on the golden child in order to force her back in line (under the mother's thumb), moving her into scapegoat 2 position with the youngest, still most compliant being bumped up into the golden child spot.
No, I did not like this book. I really hated it. Abusive behaviour is abusive behaviour no matter what culture you are from. It is insulting that the book tries to pass it off as 'cultural differences'.
November 18, 2019
When Rubina is invited to a classmate's birthday party, she is thrilled - until her mother insists that she bring her little sister Sana along. Deaf to her explanations that this just isn't done, Ami insists: either Rubina brings Sana, or she doesn't go herself. Predictably, the results are disastrous: Sana misbehaves at the party, throwing a temper tantrum whenever she doesn't win at the games, and - having gobbled down all the treats in her own goody-bag - eats Rubina's lollipop, carefully saved as a indulgence for later. Rubina's anger at this theft, and her protests about its unfairness, are met with a lecture about sharing, while Sana's rudeness at the party, which ensures that her older sister doesn't receive any further invitations, is never addressed. When Sana herself is confronted with a similar situation, a few years later, and Ami insists that little Maryam be taken along to a party, what will Rubina do...?
Reading the online reviews for Big Red Lollipop, and seeing the almost universal praise heaped upon it - encomiums to its message of forgiveness, commentary on its narrative of values, whether conflicted, because this is an immigrant story, or universal, because this is family dynamics writ large - I was struck yet again by how out of step I often feel, when it comes to the larger society around me. While I agree that forgiveness - as witnessed by Rubina's decision to - is both desirable and laudable, so too are limitations, discipline and fairness. All three of which seem signally absent from Khan's narrative, and from her parental model, which, whatever the author's intention with her conclusion, is what really stood out to me.
It simply amazes me that so few reviewers are struck by the fact that the conflict here is driven, not by what Ami tells Rubina to do, but by what she doesn't tell Sana to do. She never tells her that she has to behave well, when a guest in someone else's home, and she never tells her that it is wrong to be greedy, and take all of a treat, leaving nothing for anyone else. It really discourages me to see some reviewers putting this behavior down to differing values in the Pakistani-Canadian community, as I think that: 1) many parents of younger children would insist, or at least encourage, their offspring to include one another in special events (my own parents certainly did this), and 2) while there are few truly universal values, I suspect that courtesy to a host, and the obligations created by hospitality, would be among those few.
I suppose one could read this as a "making lemonade from lemons" kind of tale: sometimes life is just unfair (as are parents), and there's nothing really to be done but make the best of it. But this is a second-best kind of solution: if life is unfair kids, just be NICE! Be FORGIVING! And above all: DON'T PROTEST! How I would have loathed that very Victorian sentiment, as a girl...
NOTE: the two stars here are for Sophie Blackall's gorgeous artwork, which I gave short shrift to in the review above. They're definitely worth checking out, for their own sake, and fully deserved the praise they won, including getting Big Red Lollipop chosen as one of The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book for 2010.
Reading the online reviews for Big Red Lollipop, and seeing the almost universal praise heaped upon it - encomiums to its message of forgiveness, commentary on its narrative of values, whether conflicted, because this is an immigrant story, or universal, because this is family dynamics writ large - I was struck yet again by how out of step I often feel, when it comes to the larger society around me. While I agree that forgiveness - as witnessed by Rubina's decision to - is both desirable and laudable, so too are limitations, discipline and fairness. All three of which seem signally absent from Khan's narrative, and from her parental model, which, whatever the author's intention with her conclusion, is what really stood out to me.
It simply amazes me that so few reviewers are struck by the fact that the conflict here is driven, not by what Ami tells Rubina to do, but by what she doesn't tell Sana to do. She never tells her that she has to behave well, when a guest in someone else's home, and she never tells her that it is wrong to be greedy, and take all of a treat, leaving nothing for anyone else. It really discourages me to see some reviewers putting this behavior down to differing values in the Pakistani-Canadian community, as I think that: 1) many parents of younger children would insist, or at least encourage, their offspring to include one another in special events (my own parents certainly did this), and 2) while there are few truly universal values, I suspect that courtesy to a host, and the obligations created by hospitality, would be among those few.
I suppose one could read this as a "making lemonade from lemons" kind of tale: sometimes life is just unfair (as are parents), and there's nothing really to be done but make the best of it. But this is a second-best kind of solution: if life is unfair kids, just be NICE! Be FORGIVING! And above all: DON'T PROTEST! How I would have loathed that very Victorian sentiment, as a girl...
NOTE: the two stars here are for Sophie Blackall's gorgeous artwork, which I gave short shrift to in the review above. They're definitely worth checking out, for their own sake, and fully deserved the praise they won, including getting Big Red Lollipop chosen as one of The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book for 2010.
March 13, 2011
This is an excellent book highlighting: 1. the problems immigrants face when thrust into a new culture, 2. sibling rivalry, and 3. the way older children are expected to acquiesce to their younger siblings because they are "old enough to know better." Because the author was born in Pakistan, and because of the illustrations, I assume that the immigrant family here is Pakistani. When oldest daughter Rubina is invited to a birthday party, her mother's first reaction is surprise that people celebrate the day they were born. Her second reaction is that Rubina must take her younger sister, Sana. Reluctantly, Rubina calls the hostess and Sana is allowed to go. What a disaster! Too young for her sister's friends, Sana is not the perfect party guest. When the girls come home with party bags of treats, Rubina wants to save her big red lollipop to eat later, but Sana eats it. And it is a long time before Rubina is invited to another birthday party. At last Sana is invited to her own friend's birthday party. And Ami (mother) wants Sana to take youngest sister Maryam. Rubina intervenes in a totally compassionate and mature big-sisterly way to insure that Sana will have an easier time fitting in than she did. The story stands on its own as a wonderful book, but the illustrations make it even better. They capture the emotions of the sisters perfectly, and the details of the clothing and furnishings are lovely.
July 14, 2018
Rubina's baby sister is a brat, and her mother is no help. In fact, her mother encourages the brattiness by giving in to bratty tantrums so it's no wonder really. I think I'm supposed to find the ending uplifting, as Rubina rises above and becomes the better person, but all I can think is that this poor child has no birthday invitations and no friends left because the brat and the mother who spoilt her have chased them all away. A lollipop is hardly compensation.
April 24, 2017
Such a beautiful and emotionally powerful story about sibling rivalry and forgiveness! I get a little bit teary every time I read it...
Also, Sophie Blackall's illustrations, which are both playful and expressive, fit the story very well:
Also, Sophie Blackall's illustrations, which are both playful and expressive, fit the story very well:
March 20, 2018
A great story about how your siblings can surprise you and also about culturally differences when it comes to birthday parties.
June 28, 2010
As the older of two sisters, I not only loved this, but totally identified with the main character--a little girl whose mom makes her take her li'l sis to a friend's birthday party. Ugh, Mom! Why?!
The mom in this story actually doesn't know about the custom of celebrating birthdays in the United States, which should be an intriguing point for most young American readers. Some people don't celebrate birthdays? Really?
The central conflict in this occurs when the middle sister eats most of the oldest sister's birthday party lollipop. The illustrations hilariously show the angry chase that ensues, culminating in the oldest sister throwing the lollipop under the couch in frustration. Then the middle sister fishes it out and eats the rest. Gross! Funny!
In a move not often seen in picture books, the story elapses over an entire year (maybe two--we see the youngest sister grow up noticeably) which allows us to see the development of the characters. When the middle sister is told she has to take the youngest to a birthday party, you'll be surprised what happens.
A fantastic book about fairness, maturity, and sibling relations.
The mom in this story actually doesn't know about the custom of celebrating birthdays in the United States, which should be an intriguing point for most young American readers. Some people don't celebrate birthdays? Really?
The central conflict in this occurs when the middle sister eats most of the oldest sister's birthday party lollipop. The illustrations hilariously show the angry chase that ensues, culminating in the oldest sister throwing the lollipop under the couch in frustration. Then the middle sister fishes it out and eats the rest. Gross! Funny!
In a move not often seen in picture books, the story elapses over an entire year (maybe two--we see the youngest sister grow up noticeably) which allows us to see the development of the characters. When the middle sister is told she has to take the youngest to a birthday party, you'll be surprised what happens.
A fantastic book about fairness, maturity, and sibling relations.
August 20, 2020
I cannot see how one can celebrate cultural diversity amid all the terrible messages about parenting in this book. The only thing my kids learned was that sometimes kids are treated like shit by their parents for no good reason. To summarize:
Younger sister tantrums to go to party with older sister; GETS HER WAY; ruins the party. Younger sister eats older sister's BIG RED LOLLIPOP she got from the party, yet there are no consequences. When mom/ami finds out, she literally tells her daughter "she didn't eat ALL of it. Go ahead. EAT the [tiny] triangle [piece]." And younger sis looks smug because, again, she GOT HER WAY. What the hell?! So, the parent teases / belittles her older daughter into eating the chewed up remains of her wrongfully stolen lollipop, instead of establishing some sort of reasonable punishment for the aggressor??
Of course, older sister stops getting invited to friends' birthday parties because of younger sis. BUT WHO CARES ABOUT HER?!
Fast-forward a few years, and younger sis is now in the same situation with youngest sis, BUT when she whines about taking youngest sis, she once again GETS HER WAY when older sis stands up for her. Bullshit.
This child is already spoiled and will grow up to be a very unpleasant adult who does not know how to interact with other adults in a mature way.
Younger sister tantrums to go to party with older sister; GETS HER WAY; ruins the party. Younger sister eats older sister's BIG RED LOLLIPOP she got from the party, yet there are no consequences. When mom/ami finds out, she literally tells her daughter "she didn't eat ALL of it. Go ahead. EAT the [tiny] triangle [piece]." And younger sis looks smug because, again, she GOT HER WAY. What the hell?! So, the parent teases / belittles her older daughter into eating the chewed up remains of her wrongfully stolen lollipop, instead of establishing some sort of reasonable punishment for the aggressor??
Of course, older sister stops getting invited to friends' birthday parties because of younger sis. BUT WHO CARES ABOUT HER?!
Fast-forward a few years, and younger sis is now in the same situation with youngest sis, BUT when she whines about taking youngest sis, she once again GETS HER WAY when older sis stands up for her. Bullshit.
This child is already spoiled and will grow up to be a very unpleasant adult who does not know how to interact with other adults in a mature way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2011
Celebrating your birthday is not a globally recognized tradition. In some countries, date of birth is considered insignficant and not recorded. So if you get a blank stare from an immigrant when you ask for their birthday, it may not be because they can’t remember it. They may not “have one”. Upon entering the states, if the actual date is unknown, January 1 is often recorded.
Big Red Lollipop is a tale of such immigrants, involving three sisters and their mother who is not familiar with American children’s party customs. When Rubina gets an invitation, her mother insists that Sana, the younger sister be allowed to attend as well. Things go poorly as expected and Rubina becomes furious at Sana for ruining her chance of being invited to anymore parties. Things come full circle, and Rubina eventually finds understanding with her sister.
Big Red Lollipop is a tale of such immigrants, involving three sisters and their mother who is not familiar with American children’s party customs. When Rubina gets an invitation, her mother insists that Sana, the younger sister be allowed to attend as well. Things go poorly as expected and Rubina becomes furious at Sana for ruining her chance of being invited to anymore parties. Things come full circle, and Rubina eventually finds understanding with her sister.
August 28, 2010
My kids were in the midst of a fight. The doorbell rang. Oh look, it was an amazon delivery: BIG RED LOLLIPOP.
I read it to them right then and there...the transformation on their faces was immediate. Smiles and the sense of calm that followed...aaawww. Beautiful book about good character, bravery and compassion.
I read it to them right then and there...the transformation on their faces was immediate. Smiles and the sense of calm that followed...aaawww. Beautiful book about good character, bravery and compassion.
September 18, 2015
Fun story about sisterly conflict. Wonderful illustrations, particularly the spread depicting the chase around the house.
October 19, 2016
The red lollipop by Rukhsana Khan is about an immigrant family that’s new to the American traditions. Rubina is invited to a birthday party but her mom insists on Rubina’s sister coming with her to the party. Needless to say, Rubina is very upset because she knows that her friends will judge her. Later on, its Rubina’s sister that has to take her siblings to a birthday part. However, Rubina convinces her mom to let her sister go to the party alone.
The book teaches readers about diversity and the relationship between siblings. I think it’s important that students learn about multiculturalism because they are going to be in diverse classrooms. Students need to be aware of their surroundings. A lot of times, children say things without thinking about them first. This can lead to people’s feelings being hurt. They might not participate in classroom discussions because they don’t feel appreciated. Another big theme in this book is the relationship between siblings which I think a lot of students can relate to. Readers will learn about the importance of being patient and sharing with your siblings.
This book is meant for grades one till third. Big red lollipop has Charlotte Zolotow Award and the Golden Kite Award. I think teachers can use this book to introduce culture to their students. They will get to learn about immigrants and their perspectives. I think some young readers might be surprised to learn that not everyone celebrates birthdays. Rubina’s mom wasn’t aware of birthday celebrations so she didn’t know that it wouldn’t be cool to bring siblings to a party. It’s important to note that Rubina didn’t let her sister suffer too. She didn’t hold a grudge and helped her sister have a good time.
I like this book because of the social and emotional themes explored in the book. The book helps students realize that there are different cultures in this book. There are several things in the book that can be better. . There are times when the story doesn’t seem very engaging. I also don’t like that Rubina’s mom allows one of her kids to throw a tantrum. Somehow, I feel like that sends the wrong message to the readers. However, I would recommend this book to readers as a way to review the importance of understanding different cultures.
I found a video of the author reading the book! It might be important to let students listen to this to understand the culture better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...
The book teaches readers about diversity and the relationship between siblings. I think it’s important that students learn about multiculturalism because they are going to be in diverse classrooms. Students need to be aware of their surroundings. A lot of times, children say things without thinking about them first. This can lead to people’s feelings being hurt. They might not participate in classroom discussions because they don’t feel appreciated. Another big theme in this book is the relationship between siblings which I think a lot of students can relate to. Readers will learn about the importance of being patient and sharing with your siblings.
This book is meant for grades one till third. Big red lollipop has Charlotte Zolotow Award and the Golden Kite Award. I think teachers can use this book to introduce culture to their students. They will get to learn about immigrants and their perspectives. I think some young readers might be surprised to learn that not everyone celebrates birthdays. Rubina’s mom wasn’t aware of birthday celebrations so she didn’t know that it wouldn’t be cool to bring siblings to a party. It’s important to note that Rubina didn’t let her sister suffer too. She didn’t hold a grudge and helped her sister have a good time.
I like this book because of the social and emotional themes explored in the book. The book helps students realize that there are different cultures in this book. There are several things in the book that can be better. . There are times when the story doesn’t seem very engaging. I also don’t like that Rubina’s mom allows one of her kids to throw a tantrum. Somehow, I feel like that sends the wrong message to the readers. However, I would recommend this book to readers as a way to review the importance of understanding different cultures.
I found a video of the author reading the book! It might be important to let students listen to this to understand the culture better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...
February 4, 2021
I like the illustrations. I like that it focuses on an immigrant family as a matter of course, it is not the driving point of the book. Diversity, expected. But-
I think this is a terrible example for children. I realize the point is supposed to be about forgiveness. However, there are so many examples of terrible behavior on the part of the grandmother and Sana that are glossed over and rewarded. I have never hated a children's book until now.
This book seems like a great illustration of how shielding children from the negative consequences of their actions encourages them in bad behavior. Sana pitches a fit and is rewarded in multiple ways. She basically ruins another child's birthday party, inconveniences the hosts, and destroys her sister's enjoyment of that party. She proceeds to steal from her sister, then makes excuses for herself, and the grandmother reinforces it, encouraging her. Sana continues to ruin any fun for Rubina even after the party. Sana is just left unchecked. Mainly, because she will cry and complain if refused.
When the time comes that Sana may actually experience consequences (a fate similar to Rubina's, taking her younger sister to a party) she is rescued, once again, by her family.
The ending is especially problematic. Is Rubina supposed to be consoled by the green lollipop for the social ostracism of the past? Does anyone really believe that a young child, given no concrete illustration, would attend a birthday party and spend the time considering how they'd wronged their older sister months? years? ago?
Why is the grandmother so permissive ? Sana seems to be the favorite at everyone else's expense.
In real life, the kinds of attitudes portrayed in this book cause a lot of problems.
Forgiveness is admirable (and showed a lot of maturity on Rubina's part) but justice, discipline, and the value of standing up for yourself, are missing in this book.
I think it should not be taught to children.
I think this is a terrible example for children. I realize the point is supposed to be about forgiveness. However, there are so many examples of terrible behavior on the part of the grandmother and Sana that are glossed over and rewarded. I have never hated a children's book until now.
This book seems like a great illustration of how shielding children from the negative consequences of their actions encourages them in bad behavior. Sana pitches a fit and is rewarded in multiple ways. She basically ruins another child's birthday party, inconveniences the hosts, and destroys her sister's enjoyment of that party. She proceeds to steal from her sister, then makes excuses for herself, and the grandmother reinforces it, encouraging her. Sana continues to ruin any fun for Rubina even after the party. Sana is just left unchecked. Mainly, because she will cry and complain if refused.
When the time comes that Sana may actually experience consequences (a fate similar to Rubina's, taking her younger sister to a party) she is rescued, once again, by her family.
The ending is especially problematic. Is Rubina supposed to be consoled by the green lollipop for the social ostracism of the past? Does anyone really believe that a young child, given no concrete illustration, would attend a birthday party and spend the time considering how they'd wronged their older sister months? years? ago?
Why is the grandmother so permissive ? Sana seems to be the favorite at everyone else's expense.
In real life, the kinds of attitudes portrayed in this book cause a lot of problems.
Forgiveness is admirable (and showed a lot of maturity on Rubina's part) but justice, discipline, and the value of standing up for yourself, are missing in this book.
I think it should not be taught to children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2010
Rubina has been invited to her very first birthday party and is elated. Until she tells her mother about it and her mother insists that she takes her little sister, Sana, or else she can’t go. Rubina tries to explain that here the kids don’t bring their little siblings to a birthday party, but her mother won’t budge. Sana is the only little sister at the party, but it isn’t so bad. Each girl gets a bag of party favors to take home and there is a big red lollipop for each of them. Sana eats hers right away, and Rubina saves hers in the refrigerator until the next morning. But when she wakes up eager for a taste, she discovers that Sana has helped herself to it!
A story based on Khan’s own childhood, this book perfectly captures the differences between families of various cultures and backgrounds. Rubina is simply expected to take her younger sister with her. And then she is expected to forgive her sister and share her lollipop. The wonderful piece of the book is when Rubina stands up for her younger sister at the end and helps convince her mother that Sana doesn’t have to bring their even younger sister to her first birthday party.
Illustrated with great style, the Arab-American culture is depicted here with real warmth. The illustrations have a creamy background color against which the characters and their expressive faces really pop. The relationships between the characters are strong and interesting. The final result of Rubina’s kindness rings true and is very satisfying.
This is a beauty of a book with multicultural elements and a strong story and style. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
A story based on Khan’s own childhood, this book perfectly captures the differences between families of various cultures and backgrounds. Rubina is simply expected to take her younger sister with her. And then she is expected to forgive her sister and share her lollipop. The wonderful piece of the book is when Rubina stands up for her younger sister at the end and helps convince her mother that Sana doesn’t have to bring their even younger sister to her first birthday party.
Illustrated with great style, the Arab-American culture is depicted here with real warmth. The illustrations have a creamy background color against which the characters and their expressive faces really pop. The relationships between the characters are strong and interesting. The final result of Rubina’s kindness rings true and is very satisfying.
This is a beauty of a book with multicultural elements and a strong story and style. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
July 26, 2011
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan was inspired by her own childhood as a younger sister who desperately wanted to go with her sister to a birthday party even though she wasn't invited. It's told from Rubina, the oldest sister's point of view. She is invited to a birthday party, something her immigrant mother has never heard of and she tries to explain that only she is invited. Her mother though says she can only go if she can take her middle sister.
Things don't go well and Rubina isn't invited to many parties after that. When the middle sister is ultimately invited to a birthday party, Rubina steps in and convinces their mother to leave the youngest sister at home to avoid a repeat.
The story gave me pause, not over the realization that birthday parties are a very Western thing, but over the fact that where I live all of the siblings are typically invited. We live in a very diverse neighborhood and until I read Big Red Lollipop I never wondered if diversity had anything to do with the inclusion of siblings at birthday events. Whatever the reason, I'm glad we typically invite everybody.
Things don't go well and Rubina isn't invited to many parties after that. When the middle sister is ultimately invited to a birthday party, Rubina steps in and convinces their mother to leave the youngest sister at home to avoid a repeat.
The story gave me pause, not over the realization that birthday parties are a very Western thing, but over the fact that where I live all of the siblings are typically invited. We live in a very diverse neighborhood and until I read Big Red Lollipop I never wondered if diversity had anything to do with the inclusion of siblings at birthday events. Whatever the reason, I'm glad we typically invite everybody.
May 8, 2016
Do you have siblings? Do they make you crazy? Well, in Big Red Lollipop Rubina’s little sister, Sana, might either remind you of your own pesty sister or make you never want to have a younger sibling! Rukhsana Khan’s picture book, Big Red Lollipop, shows children that even though your country of origin may be different than your friends and classmates, you may still struggle with similar issues at home. With the backdrop of her story being a family who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan, Rukhsana asks children to consider what it might be like to be an immigrant and not share some of the same cultural customs as your classmates. Illustrator Sophie Blackall’s pictures subtly capture elements of Pakistan in Rukhsana’s mother’s Pakistani clothing and also explore universal emotions in the range of faces Rubina and her sisters make throughout the story. This picture book offers teachers and their K – 3 grade students an excellent avenue to discuss culture and what it means to be an immigrant.
February 11, 2011
Sisters.... :)
August 22, 2021
Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Now this I really, really like. Here is a thing that can go wrong: when your little sister screams to get to go along to the birthday party you've been invited to, and you try to tell your mother than little siblings don't get to come along, and she says you have to call and ask, and it is a nightmare that wrecks your social life for years...and then your little sister gets her first invitation to a birthday party and your littlest sister screams to go along....
It's wonderful because Khan explains to the reader what Rubina couldn't explain to her mother. There's a problem, common not just among children of immigrants, where a child understand something about their culture that the parent doesn't. How do you deal? One of the hardest parts about being a kid is that you can't articulate what the problem is, or you can articulate it, and adults don't take your concern seriously, or you can articulate it, and they do take it seriously, but you still are forced to take an action you really don't want to take. Come to think of it, being a child sucks.
Library copy
Now this I really, really like. Here is a thing that can go wrong: when your little sister screams to get to go along to the birthday party you've been invited to, and you try to tell your mother than little siblings don't get to come along, and she says you have to call and ask, and it is a nightmare that wrecks your social life for years...and then your little sister gets her first invitation to a birthday party and your littlest sister screams to go along....
It's wonderful because Khan explains to the reader what Rubina couldn't explain to her mother. There's a problem, common not just among children of immigrants, where a child understand something about their culture that the parent doesn't. How do you deal? One of the hardest parts about being a kid is that you can't articulate what the problem is, or you can articulate it, and adults don't take your concern seriously, or you can articulate it, and they do take it seriously, but you still are forced to take an action you really don't want to take. Come to think of it, being a child sucks.
Library copy
September 10, 2016
Humorous! insightful! and relatable! These are just a few words that describe the realistic fiction and two time award winning book Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan. This is a great book to read aloud to any 2-4 grade students and especially to those students who have siblings. While reading this book aloud to your class, your students will immediately be able to picture themselves in the shoes of either older sister Rubina or younger sister Sana. This multicultural book helps tackle the topics of adjusting to a new country with different cultures, sibling rivalries, as well as forgiveness. Although recommend for grades 2-4, I think students of any age will be able to take something away after reading this book.
Big Red Lollipop tells the story of Rubina, a young Pakistani girl who has just been invited to her first American birthday party. The only problem is Rubina's younger sister Sana wants to come along for the ride. Rubina's mother, only known as Ami in the book and unaware of American traditions forces Rubina to take Sana. While at the party, Sana ruins the party for Rubina and later eats her big red lollipop. Later on in the story, it is Sana turn to take on the role as big sister as she get an invitation to her first American birthday party and is forced to take the families youngest sibling, Maryam. Will Rubina help out Sana or let her feel the same grief she felt? You'll have to read to find out!
After reading the Big Red Lollipop, you will be able to teach your students the topic of cultural differences and traditions. This topic may be new to them as it is to Rubina and Sana's mother, Ami. Throughout the story, Ami does not understand why it is not normal for siblings to take each other to birthday parties let alone even know what a birthday party is. Through the eyes of Ami, students will be able to learn that not all cultures are alike and different cultures have different traditions and ways of celebrating. The book also helps us explore the concept of forgiveness through the relationship of sisters Rubina and Sana. After Sana is forced to take Maryam to a party, Rubina realizes that Sana will now feel the same way she felt. Embarrassment, anger, and awkwardness all rolled into one. Instead of letting Sana go through the grief of bringing Maryam, Rubina makes the right choice and convinces Ami to let Sana go alone. As a sign of thanks and in hopes of forgiveness, Sana gives Rubina a big green lollipop.
I can not stress, how great of a book this was. While reading, I was predicting what would happen next to each of the characters. Would Sana embarrass Rubina at the party? Would Rubina stand up for Sana? This story helped bring back memories of my brother and I as children and I'm sure it will do the same for you! For more information on this book as well as others by Rukhsana Khan visit http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/index.html
Big Red Lollipop tells the story of Rubina, a young Pakistani girl who has just been invited to her first American birthday party. The only problem is Rubina's younger sister Sana wants to come along for the ride. Rubina's mother, only known as Ami in the book and unaware of American traditions forces Rubina to take Sana. While at the party, Sana ruins the party for Rubina and later eats her big red lollipop. Later on in the story, it is Sana turn to take on the role as big sister as she get an invitation to her first American birthday party and is forced to take the families youngest sibling, Maryam. Will Rubina help out Sana or let her feel the same grief she felt? You'll have to read to find out!
After reading the Big Red Lollipop, you will be able to teach your students the topic of cultural differences and traditions. This topic may be new to them as it is to Rubina and Sana's mother, Ami. Throughout the story, Ami does not understand why it is not normal for siblings to take each other to birthday parties let alone even know what a birthday party is. Through the eyes of Ami, students will be able to learn that not all cultures are alike and different cultures have different traditions and ways of celebrating. The book also helps us explore the concept of forgiveness through the relationship of sisters Rubina and Sana. After Sana is forced to take Maryam to a party, Rubina realizes that Sana will now feel the same way she felt. Embarrassment, anger, and awkwardness all rolled into one. Instead of letting Sana go through the grief of bringing Maryam, Rubina makes the right choice and convinces Ami to let Sana go alone. As a sign of thanks and in hopes of forgiveness, Sana gives Rubina a big green lollipop.
I can not stress, how great of a book this was. While reading, I was predicting what would happen next to each of the characters. Would Sana embarrass Rubina at the party? Would Rubina stand up for Sana? This story helped bring back memories of my brother and I as children and I'm sure it will do the same for you! For more information on this book as well as others by Rukhsana Khan visit http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/index.html
October 18, 2017
This review is required for Dr. Sykes' READ3307 course at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
In “Big Red Lollipop,” a young girl named Rubina comes home from school one day and excitedly shares with her mother and two younger sisters that she has been invited to a friend’s birthday party. Rubina’s little sister Sana begs their mother Ami to let her go to the party, but Rubina strongly protests. Sana ends up going to the party, and through this experience, all the girls learn a lesson about family and friendship.
Rubina is a young Pakistani girl. She relates socially to other characters by going to her new friend’s birthday party. Emotionally, Rubina is conflicted between loyalty and love of family and desire to fit in with new friends in a new culture. The story takes place in modern day at Rubina’s house, and at her friends house for the birthday party. A main theme in this story is loyalty and love for family above friends. There are also themes of forgiveness and personal growth. The story is written in Rubina’s first person point of view. This book is written with a very innocent, childlike style because it is written from the point of view of a young girl. The book is made with a hard back and covered in a book jacket. Illustrations are simple, yet expressive pencil drawings. There is good use of space and intriguing and easy to read font. This story implies much about the cultural adaptations immigrants have to make when they move to the west. There are also cultural implications about the relationship between family and friendships.The publisher recommends this book for children in grades 2-4.
In “Big Red Lollipop,” a young girl named Rubina comes home from school one day and excitedly shares with her mother and two younger sisters that she has been invited to a friend’s birthday party. Rubina’s little sister Sana begs their mother Ami to let her go to the party, but Rubina strongly protests. Sana ends up going to the party, and through this experience, all the girls learn a lesson about family and friendship.
Rubina is a young Pakistani girl. She relates socially to other characters by going to her new friend’s birthday party. Emotionally, Rubina is conflicted between loyalty and love of family and desire to fit in with new friends in a new culture. The story takes place in modern day at Rubina’s house, and at her friends house for the birthday party. A main theme in this story is loyalty and love for family above friends. There are also themes of forgiveness and personal growth. The story is written in Rubina’s first person point of view. This book is written with a very innocent, childlike style because it is written from the point of view of a young girl. The book is made with a hard back and covered in a book jacket. Illustrations are simple, yet expressive pencil drawings. There is good use of space and intriguing and easy to read font. This story implies much about the cultural adaptations immigrants have to make when they move to the west. There are also cultural implications about the relationship between family and friendships.The publisher recommends this book for children in grades 2-4.
August 14, 2018
A young girl is invited to a birthday party, but her mom makes her take her little sister with her! The little sister ends up eating the big red lollipop that the older sister was saving that she got at the party. Years pass and the oldest sister never gets invited to another birthday party again. The younger sister gets invited to her first birthday party, but the youngest sister wants to go with her! She begs and pleads to leave her behind, but her mother doesn't relent. Not until the older sister tells the mom she shouldn't make her take the littlest sister. As a thank you, the middle sister gave the oldest sister the big green lollipop that she got at the party.
Good for older kid and preschool storytimes.
Good for older kid and preschool storytimes.
August 10, 2016
This book actually made me really angry... so I guess it didn't really do what it was supposed to do.
I understand that the author is trying to show cultural differences here. Ami just doesn't understand that you don't bring your bratty little sister to a birthday party when you're the one holding the invitation. Unfortunately, there was little explanation as to why Ami thought that dragging a screaming brat to a friend's birthday party was acceptable. Perhaps if there had been some discussion about party customs in Ami's culture, the book might have made more sense. As it is, it's a story that's bound to frustrate and leave the reader wondering why Sana is allowed to act like a spoiled brat and get away with appalling behaviour, why Rubina is expected to put up with this and "share" (Ami's idea of "sharing" is to let Sana have whatever she wants, even if it belongs to someone else), and why, years later, Ami so quickly changes her mind about forcing Sana to take her little sister to a party after only a few words from Rubina.
The premise was good, and it's nice to see more multicultural children's books, but even the cute illustrations weren't enough make this one I'd wholeheartedly recommend. I was pretty disappointed.
Quotable moment:
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2...
I understand that the author is trying to show cultural differences here. Ami just doesn't understand that you don't bring your bratty little sister to a birthday party when you're the one holding the invitation. Unfortunately, there was little explanation as to why Ami thought that dragging a screaming brat to a friend's birthday party was acceptable. Perhaps if there had been some discussion about party customs in Ami's culture, the book might have made more sense. As it is, it's a story that's bound to frustrate and leave the reader wondering why Sana is allowed to act like a spoiled brat and get away with appalling behaviour, why Rubina is expected to put up with this and "share" (Ami's idea of "sharing" is to let Sana have whatever she wants, even if it belongs to someone else), and why, years later, Ami so quickly changes her mind about forcing Sana to take her little sister to a party after only a few words from Rubina.
The premise was good, and it's nice to see more multicultural children's books, but even the cute illustrations weren't enough make this one I'd wholeheartedly recommend. I was pretty disappointed.
Quotable moment:
The worst thing is that all the girls at school know if they invite me to their birthday parties, I have to bring Sana.
I don't get any invitations for a really long time.
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2...
May 11, 2013
While I liked the illustrations and the story read pretty realistic, I was very bothered by the mother's reaction to everything. Sana shouldn't had even been permitted to go to that party in the first place and I do not see how can it be called "sharing" when one person is taking advantage of the other.
I'm being cynic, I know, when the story is about forgiveness and such, but I am pretty sure that while Rubina understands how bad will it be for her sister to have the smaller one tag a long, Sana wouldn't have understood it. After all, what wrong has she done?
Did she not ask to go to the party and was allowed to do so, to the price of her sister's happiness? Did she not ask to win at every game and was allowed to do so, to the price of everybody else's enjoyment? Did she not eat the lollipop that wasn't rightfully hers and was allowed to do so, to the price of her sister's satisfaction? Then, when she asks to leave the smaller sister at home, she is allowed to do so even though Rubina couldn't.
Wouldn't Sana, thus, take for granted that her wishes are to be granted because everybody will support and/or forgive her? Will this not raise her spoiled and entitled? I know, it's a story, but this kind of parental attitude pisses me off.
I'm being cynic, I know, when the story is about forgiveness and such, but I am pretty sure that while Rubina understands how bad will it be for her sister to have the smaller one tag a long, Sana wouldn't have understood it. After all, what wrong has she done?
Did she not ask to go to the party and was allowed to do so, to the price of her sister's happiness? Did she not ask to win at every game and was allowed to do so, to the price of everybody else's enjoyment? Did she not eat the lollipop that wasn't rightfully hers and was allowed to do so, to the price of her sister's satisfaction? Then, when she asks to leave the smaller sister at home, she is allowed to do so even though Rubina couldn't.
Wouldn't Sana, thus, take for granted that her wishes are to be granted because everybody will support and/or forgive her? Will this not raise her spoiled and entitled? I know, it's a story, but this kind of parental attitude pisses me off.
September 17, 2013
I really enjoyed Big Red Lollipop because I could really connect with the book, because I myself am an older sister as well. The story is about Rubina and how she gets invited to her friend's birthday party, but she cannot go unless she takes her annoying little sister. I remember when I was younger, I as well could not go anywhere without my little sister. I would get so upset because I did not want to take her because I thought she was such a pest like Rubina's little sister! Now looking back it was so foolish of me to think that my younger sister was a bother, because now I cannot go anywhere without her. Rubina also learned the lesson that she must cherish her sisters, because they will always be around her anyways no matter what.
The big red lollipop plays a role in the book and it had been acquired from a candy bag that Rubina got from the party. In the story we figure out that her little sister, Sana, eats the lollipop and it starts a quarrel between her and Rubina. We see from the divided illustrations, Rubina chasing Sana all over the house until Sana gives up and hands over the eaten lollipop.
I really enjoyed all the illustrations, they were so brightly colored and well done with many details. I could feel as if I was part of the story with the characters.
The big red lollipop plays a role in the book and it had been acquired from a candy bag that Rubina got from the party. In the story we figure out that her little sister, Sana, eats the lollipop and it starts a quarrel between her and Rubina. We see from the divided illustrations, Rubina chasing Sana all over the house until Sana gives up and hands over the eaten lollipop.
I really enjoyed all the illustrations, they were so brightly colored and well done with many details. I could feel as if I was part of the story with the characters.
May 18, 2015
This book was published in 2010 and won the Golden Kite Award for picture book text. I enjoyed this story about a young girl named Rubina who gets invited to a birthday party. She's excited to go, but her mother insists that she must take her sister with her to the party. The reason her mother makes this demand is because she's from Pakistan, and doesn't understand the American cultural tradition of birthday parties. Rubina is terribly embarrassed to bring her sister, but does so anyway. After the party, some conflicts arise between the sisters because of goodies received at the party. By the end of the book, the conflicts are resolved and out the kindness of her heart, Rubina does a good deed for her sister.
The author (Rukhsana Khan) immigrated to Canada from Pakistan as a young child and wrote an engaging story about the cultural differences between parents who raise their children according to their traditional culture, and the children who are experiencing a new culture outside of the family. However, this is never explained in the story - I think it could have been woven into the plot, and would have added a wonderful dimension to it - an opportunity for young children to learn about cultural differences through a lovely story with beautiful illustrations.
The author (Rukhsana Khan) immigrated to Canada from Pakistan as a young child and wrote an engaging story about the cultural differences between parents who raise their children according to their traditional culture, and the children who are experiencing a new culture outside of the family. However, this is never explained in the story - I think it could have been woven into the plot, and would have added a wonderful dimension to it - an opportunity for young children to learn about cultural differences through a lovely story with beautiful illustrations.
October 12, 2011
Big Red Lollipop is a children's picture book intended for primary and intermediate aged children. It has won the 2011 Golden Kite award for best picture book text and has won the 2011 Charlotte Zolotow award for best picture book text. Big Red Lollipop is about a young girl named Rubina who is experiencing a con of being the eldest child. Rubina is invited to a birthday party and is forced to bring her younger sister Sana along although she begged her mother to not make her take her along. The theme of the story is that although family, particularly siblings, can be annoying at times they also can be wonderful. This plot is effective in delivering the theme because Sana annoyed Rubina by tagging along to the party and eating Rubina's red lollipop she was saving and later on Rubina offered to watch the youngest sister so Sana did not have to take her along, resulting in Sana giving Rubina the lollipop she received from the party she attended. The illustrations were full page illustrations containing color. I believe young readers would find Big Red Lollipop appealing because older siblings can relate to having to take their younger sibling with them when they would rather not.
August 8, 2019
I can't possibly call this book anything but awful. I understand the intent, but I would never, ever, EVER recommend this book unless it was to students who are studying the societal impacts of problematic literature. The mother is a truly terrible parent who has made no attempt at all to understand or respect the culture of the country she moved to and clearly doesn't respect her eldest daughter. The poor girl's social life is ruined by her nasty brat of a sister and mummy dearest is either completely blind to how horrible her second eldest child is or she just straight up doesn't care about her eldest. There is no justice to be found here. This isn't a charming story. The ending--Sana giving her sister her lollipop--in no way makes up for what was done previously. Giving her sister the lollipop was BELOW the BARE MINIMUM of what is owed to make up for being such a fantastically awful person. This was not heartwarming and the message here is very, very negative. If I could give this book negative stars, I would give it 5.
October 27, 2021
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan tells the story of a young girl named Rubina, who has just been invited to a birthday party for the first time. When she tells her mother, Ami insists she brings her younger sister, Sana, along. Rubina is mortified when she has to bring Sana to the party. After the birthday, Rubina and Sana each come home with a goodie bag. Inside each bag are lots of treats, including a big red lollipop. Sana has hers in the car home, but Rubina wants to save hers for later. However, Rubina wakes up to see that Sana has eaten her big red lollipop. After this, no one invites Rubina to any more birthday parties and Sana continues to get her way. What will happen when Sana gets invited to her first birthday party? Will their mother, Ami, make her take her baby sister, Maryam along?
Big Red Lollipop tells the tale of an immigrant family, who is still learning American customs around birthday parties. The mother is represented in cultural clothing throughout the text. Khan is Pakistani Canadian, so she is an insider to Eastern cultures. This book also represents family relationships, between the sisters and their mother. I think that many readers would be able to relate to the sisterly annoyances and the bond that they share. My favorite quote was, “For shame! It’s just a lollipop! Can’t you share with your little sister?” It reminded me of my own relationships with my two sisters and the way our parents tried to resolve our disagreements. It felt very authentic. As I listened to this book in a Youtube video, the young girl who read the book read with a lot of expression. This likely contributed to my positive reaction.
I would use this book in my classroom to start a discussion on different customs around the world. The family in this picture book is not familiar with the customs around American birthday parties. I would also want to read other books about people from other cultures experiencing customs from around the world. For instance, there could be a book about people celebrating the Chinese New Year or the Day of the Dead. This book could also be used as a mentor text to write realistic dialogue. The way all the characters speak to each other is very authentic to the way that families speak to each other. This book was recommended in Children’s Books in Children’s Hands for children ages 4 - 8.
Big Red Lollipop tells the tale of an immigrant family, who is still learning American customs around birthday parties. The mother is represented in cultural clothing throughout the text. Khan is Pakistani Canadian, so she is an insider to Eastern cultures. This book also represents family relationships, between the sisters and their mother. I think that many readers would be able to relate to the sisterly annoyances and the bond that they share. My favorite quote was, “For shame! It’s just a lollipop! Can’t you share with your little sister?” It reminded me of my own relationships with my two sisters and the way our parents tried to resolve our disagreements. It felt very authentic. As I listened to this book in a Youtube video, the young girl who read the book read with a lot of expression. This likely contributed to my positive reaction.
I would use this book in my classroom to start a discussion on different customs around the world. The family in this picture book is not familiar with the customs around American birthday parties. I would also want to read other books about people from other cultures experiencing customs from around the world. For instance, there could be a book about people celebrating the Chinese New Year or the Day of the Dead. This book could also be used as a mentor text to write realistic dialogue. The way all the characters speak to each other is very authentic to the way that families speak to each other. This book was recommended in Children’s Books in Children’s Hands for children ages 4 - 8.
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