Annie and Simon: The Sneeze and Other Stories

Annie and Simon

by Catharine O'Neill

A chatty little girl and her patient older brother share an easy bond in a charming early chapter book filled with warmth and wry humor.

Annie and little sister and big, big brother. Annie likes to talk — a lot — about what she’s going to be when she grows up, about the clouds and rain and umbrellas, about picnics in the park and meteors, about loons and canoes and turtles. And Simon is a very good listener. He knows a lot about the stars and the weather, how to fix bee stings, and where to look for loons. He knows a lot about being the kind of big brother that keeps a little sister smiling. Whether they are poking around the garden or paddling through a marsh, curious Annie and patient Simon are siblings who are clearly happy in each other’s company.

Genres: Childrens, Family, Picture Books, Fiction, Nature

64 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

Catharine O’Neill is the illustrator of many books for children. The inspiration for ANNIE AND SIMON, she says, "came from my daughter and her two quite a bit older half-brothers, who were, mostly, very patient. And, of course, from our dog, Hazel!" She lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Simon are back for more fun in four tales of excitement.

1) Living Things
Annie and Simon are at the lake. While Simon peers around with his binoculars, Annie agrees to sketch some pictures of the different living things her brother locates. Tired of waiting, Annie leaps into the water and finds some things on the sandy bottom. Simon regales his sister with facts about all these items before Annie takes the time to put crayon to paper.

2) The Sneeze
When Simon exhibits some sneezes that could be problematic, Annie is ready to help her brother feel better. However, the patient must help his caregiver reach and locate things, which only adds to the humour of 'just rest'. When Simon and Annie are all tucked in, Annie confesses that the story she wanted to read her brother may not work... but Simon is there to help (again)!

3) Hazel, Hazel, Hazel
Annie has become quite the artist, drawing many pictures of her beloved dog, Hazel. When the neighbour's car moseys over, Annie asks Simon about what it might be like to have Hazel act like a cat. When purring is a failure, Annie tries a few other things, but Hazel is most definitely a dog. By the end, unable to read the book he wanted, Simon agrees that Hazel is quite the great family dog.

Horse Chestnuts
On their way home from the store, Annie and Simon stop to gather some horse chestnuts. Filling their wagon, they make the journey home. Annie notices a squirrel gathering and burying nuts, as it is almost winter. Fascinated, she watches the process for a while, only to discover that these are are horse chestnuts. Annie and Simon discuss this and decide that the squirrel might need them a lot more this winter, but taking a few as souvenirs of their day could surely not be a problem.

Neo loves this short pieces and we have read two sets of stories already. They are perfect for mid-day or bedtime reading and do not take too long. Neo and I agree... we want to know where the parents are in all this. Stay tuned... we have more of the collection to read soon!

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Features a sweet relationship between a little girl and her much older brother.

1/3/2018 Read with Naomi & Julia.

[Sondra Eklund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie and Simon is a charming addition to the early chapter books about two friends, because in this case it's a little girl and her big brother. As a big sister of many, this is a nice acknowledgment of the relationship between siblings widely spaced in age.

The four stories are simple, everyday events, with nice interaction between Annie and her big brother.

One thing I couldn't figure out: The first and third stories happen in the summer. The last story happens at the start of Fall. But the second story, The Sneeze, looks like it happens in winter. Or at least there are white spots on the windows. Why jump around the seasons like that? Though it very well could happen in the summer. It's all indoors. Maybe the spots are something else?

But the stories are nice. First, Annie and Simon are looking for living things at the creek, and Annie is drawing them. Simon can't always tell what she's drawn, but is very nice about it.

In The Sneeze, Simon sneezes, and Annie insists he is sick and needs to be cared for. Never mind that he has to get up and get the blanket or actually read the story (Madeleine) himself.

In Hazel, Hazel, Hazel, Annie compares her dog Hazel with the neighbor cat and tries to teach her to purr.

And in Horse Chestnuts, Annie and Simon find some horse chestnuts, which then get stolen by a squirrel.

Nice cozy little sister-big brother stories.

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again Annie and Simon have a few stories to share. In the first Annie decides to draw pictures of the “living things” that they see while at a lake. Of course Annie needs a bit of help with her drawings and Simon who “know[s] everything” is there to help. And speaking of help, Annie is more than willing to “help” when Simon has a sneeze, because of course that means that Simon is sick and needs to read an “appendix story” to feel better. Being the king big brother that he is, Simon lets Annie boss him around (all in the name of making him feel better) and ends up reading the story to Annie. Then there is the story of the dog Hazel and how Annie (probably) wouldn’t trade her for a cat. Or the story about Annie gathering some horse chestnuts and not wanting to share them with the squirrels.

So, basically this is yet another fun edition of happy brother/sister stories with Annie and Simon. I like how patient Simon is with Annie. He knows just how to guide her enthusiasm and creativity. And she knows just how to show how much she cares and respects her big brother. Since there are four good stories (or chapters) this is a good book for kids who have learned how to read and are ready for some more complex stories with longer and trickier sentences than a basic easy reader. Seriously, this book is a great addition to the easy reader genre. And the grownups listening to kiddos read will enjoy the stories so much they just might ask to have the kiddo read it to them again.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie and her much older big brother Simon bond over the course of these four stories. In the first story, "Living Things," Annie proves that her way of seeing and drawing things might not be accurate, but it's close enough. Just about any older sibling who has been ill can relate to "The Sneeze" as Annie's efforts to take care of Simon result in him having to find her blanket and tend to her needs as well. "Hazel, Hazel, Hazel" allows Annie to wonder what it would be like if her dog Hazel could purr and behave like a cat. Finally, one observant squirrel takes advantage of an unexpected bounty in "Horse Chestnuts." The stories are sweet but also filled with touches of humor and understanding about the relationship between siblings, and the watercolor illustrations readily show the affection that exists between the two of them even when one is at his/her absolute most annoying.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is much to like about these four short easy-reading chapters. However the final story Horse Chestnuts contains a major factual error that undermines the entire story and really the rest of the book. Annie and Simon collect a wagon of horse chestnuts, but a squirrel empties their wagon, burying the nuts for the winter. Simon gently persuades Annie to generously ceed all but three of the nuts to the squirrel. Horse chestnuts are very toxic and no squirrel, in fact no wildlife of ANY KIND eat them. Since the first story focuses on nature observation this seems an especially egregious error that one google search would have helped the author avoid.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a school librarian I always kept a section of books called "Small Chapter Books" that were the step above picture book but not quiet chapter books, for students that were not ready to take the leap into larger reads. Annie and Simon would be PERFECT for that section!

Simon is the most patient doting older brother a sister could hope for. Each of the chapters shares another everyday situation between the two sibling. Readers will all wish to have a big brother just like Simon! A sweet story that kids will enjoy and will make independent reading time fun.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy, sweet, charming addition to our beginning reader section. I loved the first book about Annie and Simon when it came out, and was so pleased to see this one in a review journal recently! Folks who love Henry and Mudge, Gus and Grandpa, and Iris and Walter will likely love these sibling stories as well.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the plethora of little sister and big brother books out there, this one to me seemed special. It rings of true encounters with siblings, and the endearing nature we sometimes impose upon our younger siblings.

Fun, fresh, and above all cute - this is a good intermediary reader for those with siblings, and those without.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and quite cute book about Annie and her older brother, Simon. I like the portrayal of Simon being nice to Annie, even if she's being overly curious, or wants to "take care of him" because of his sneeze.

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple stories for the beginning reader.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of short stories that detail humorous events and the bond that a young sister has with her much older brother.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet brother-sister story. Bonus Madeline reference and horse chestnuts!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sibling story.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do identify with Annie and her relationship with animals a bit.

[Terri]

Meh