Rosie and Buttercup

by Chieri Uegaki, Stéphane Jorisch (Illustrator)

"I don't want a baby sister." Does Rosie really mean it? Her baby sister, Buttercup, has been a bit of a handful lately. She won't leave Rosie alone, she cries at opera-singer level and whistles when she sleeps. Before Buttercup came along, Rosie's life was blessed. Her schedule was filled with dance and voice lessons. Best of all, she didn't have to share her pet crickets, Eenie and Meenie, with anybody. Things get so bad that Rosie decides to give her little sister away -- to a good home, of course. But as she says good-bye to Buttercup forever, Rosie can't ignore a squeezy feeling in her chest. From the perfectly paired creative team who brought you the bestselling Suki's Kimono comes a touching picture book about two sisters.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Animals, Canada

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Chieri Uegaki is a second-generation Japanese-Canadian who was born in Quesnel, British Columbia. By the age of one, she and her parents had moved to East Vancouver, where she and her two sisters grew up.

Chieri attended Sir John Franklin Elementary School. Initially, she had to take English as a Second Language classes as she spoke mostly Japanese at home. An excellent ESL teacher and an inherited love of books helped develop Chieri's skills quickly, and language arts became one of her favorite subjects.

Chieri then went to Templeton Senior Secondary. As she neared graduation, she was thrilled to discover that the University of British Columbia offered a degree in Creative Writing. She submitted a portfolio of writing samples and was accepted into the program.

Chieri's first picture book, Suki's Kimono, was a result of losing two children's writing competitions. She took a story she'd written at UBC almost a decade earlier, rewrote it as a picture book and submitted it. After being shortlisted in that first competition, Chieri honed the story even more and entered a second competition.

Again, Suki's Kimono did not win. And, again, the story was shortlisted. But this time, the shortlisted titles were passed on to several Canadian publishers. Two publishers requested a copy of Chieri's manuscript, and Kids Can Press came back with an offer to publish.

Suki's Kimono, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch, was released in 2003. Chieri enjoyed working on the picture book so much that she decided to continue writing for children.

Rosie and Buttercup was published by Kids Can Press in 2008. Chieri has also written stories for Chirp and chickaDEE magazines as well as for Pearson Education.

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin is Chieri's third picture book.

Chieri lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and two dogs, Nika and Rosie.

—from the publisher's website at http://www.kidscanpress.com/creators/...

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who hasn’t wanted to give away their younger sibling when the sibling became too irritating? :)
Cute, little story of two sisters, and how the older comes to accept the younger.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book about a big sister getting used to her new baby sister. This would be great for families with a new baby! We don't have a new baby, but my kids still got a kick out of one sister giving away the other when she was tired of her, and also--the pet cricket. :)

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. In the book it talks about two sisters who may not get along all the time. I could relate to this book because I have a sister and sometimes you will fight with them. I have also read another book from the same author Chieri Uegaki and I really enjoy her books.

[Anjali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute! My family is just like this!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this story was told and the illustrations are just darling and totally my cup of tea! Rosie is so excited when her little sister is born and they soon become best friends... well, most of the time. But when Buttercup doesn't seem to understand that Rosie's beloved pet crickets are not hers, Rosie is fed up! But when she leaves Buttercup at the babysitter's house, she begins to miss her sister. Yes, it's all very predictable and the story has been done and done again, but I just thought the style of writing was charming enough and the illustrations sweet enough to make this a "new sibling in the house" story worth choosing out of the stack.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the details of this book -- for example, the baby sister mimicking "mine" and "yours" (and thereby driving the older sister crazy). It was a sweet story. I think it would be nice as a situational book for older siblings (or maybe just older sisters?) about to have, or getting used to having, a new little one around. We're not in that situation, though. Plus it was a tad on the long side, and it bothered me slightly that I didn't know what type of rodents the main characters were supposed to be. I'd say 4 stars if you have a little "rodent" on the way; 3 stars for everyone else.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, Rosie really likes having Buttercup as her baby sister. Then one day, Buttercup annoys Rosie too much and Rosie decides she's had enough. So off she takes Buttercup to Oxford - their babysitter - as a present. Later that day, Rosie starts to miss her little sister and ends up going back to Oxford with some of her prize possessions to barter her little sister back.

Really exquisite illustrations.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl loves baby sister, girl gets annoyed with baby sister, girl (safely) gives away baby sister (every older siblings dream at one time or another!), girl realizes she misses baby sister, girl willingly parts with her treasures in trade to have her sister back. This is a gentle sibling rivalry story; so many are more acidic.

[Shawna · Rating 2 out of 5]

My preschooler likes this tale, but it was returned to the library right away! I understand sibling rivalry, and know how Rosie feels since I'm the eldest sibling, however, to be so resentful as to pack up the baby and give it away to someone? Even though Rosie realizes she misses her sister and wants her to come back home, I found this idea really disturbing.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book perfectly capture childhood emotions. A charming little story about Rosie getting fed up with little sister Buttercup, in a way anyone with a sibling can understand. This was a requested repeat read-aloud with my wee girls.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations. An older sister is at first in love with her new sister. But as time goes by, she misses the quiet and simplicity of being the only child. So she gives her sister to the neighbor. Great ending.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long for storytime, but a good book about siblings.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about the special bond between siblings.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story with wonderful illustrations.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three year old daughter liked this, but I thought this story of a girl who gives her baby sister to the neighbor a little creepy.

[Gwnhwyfer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the pictures (especially Oxford), though I'm not quite sure what kind of creatures they are...cute "pets" ;), but the story's a little too long for my liking (or storytime use).

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

On little siblings.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an adorable children's book about sibling troubles and sibling love. I love the sweet story and the illustrations. I wish I'd had it when Bennett was three and Claire was a baby.

[Aron Beal · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my son's favorite books.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora was delighted with this book and kept it for a week to reread it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book about big and little sisters...