A Little Shopping

Cobble Street Cousins #2

by Cynthia Rylant, Wendy Anderson Halperin (Illustrator)

Three cousins--romantic Lily, practical Rosie, and outlandish Tess--are staying with their aunt Lucy on Cobble Street for the summer, and the girls have dreamed up a plan to keep themselves a cookie company.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Picture Books, Contemporary

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked this one even better than the first (In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen: Ready-for-Chapters) in the series. The girls' personalities shine and I love their idea of making a miniature flower shop for Aunt Lucy. It's just so cute; their enthusiasm over the idea, their fun browsing in the little craft store, and their friendship as they laugh and chat and dream while they make the surprise. Reminds me of me and my sister when we were little! Also, Michael features prominently in this book and, like Aunt Lucy, I am quite smitten with him--his patience, his kindness, his messy hair, sweet nature and his love of exotic teas! ;-) I look forward to more in this charming series.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect little starter books for my 6 year old. Wholesome and endearing.

[Hannah Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was a childhood favorite of mine, and I loved reliving memories reading this book to my younger siblings. These are the quaintest, most wholesome darling little books full of gentle humor, charm and whimsy. Such a delight!

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute :)

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such creative cousins :)

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like projects. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when they made a flower shop project.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful set of characters! This was a sweet book that was a pleasure to read with my 8 year old daughter. A simple innocent vignette from the lives of three girls living on Cobble Street. We will read the rest of this series for sure!

[Myrna ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Little Shopping" was my favorite of the The Cobble Street Cousins series. In this story, the cousins make a miniature version of their Aunt Lucy's flower shop. Myrna, age 7

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute series.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of creativity and kindness with a little parrot adventure on the side. Early-middle grade fiction, second in a series. Takes place in October.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This throwback series from the 90s if full of old-fashioned charm as the three cousins tackle a crafty surprise. Part Bobbsey Twins, part Little Women, in a Hallmark-town setting, these little adventures are light on drama and large on personality. Green Gables fans will smile at the besties rituals and Aunt Lily's blushing romance. Halperin's quaint illustrations evoke Susan Winget-level love in every flouncy detail.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant really has a genius for writing books that will appeal to kids and grown-ups alike. This is not in any way an earth-shattering or dramatic story. It is a sweet story about three girl cousins and their aunt, and it makes you wish you could be one of them. Sure, thir life might be a little unrealistically sweet, or they might be unrealistically talented, but it is a pleasant, homey, welcoming story.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Cobble Street Cousins sees the cousins heading off to school for the fall while Aunt Lucy tends her flower shop. The cousins decide they need an after-school project to work on together. They decide to make a miniature model of Aunt Lucy's flower shop and have great fun creating it.

[Anna Moffett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant next installment. Very nostalgic and wholesome — no villains or evil in sight on Cobble Street! Just three sweet cousins working together to create something special for their beloved aunt. Will keep reading aloud with the kids!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I love this series. It is sweet, increases vocabulary, and inspires service and kindness.

[Ashley Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute continuation of the first. The girls make a surprise for Aunt Lucy.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story arc is simply too short to add value beyond building the characters for the next volume in the series.

[Blaire Watanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious & sweet. More for girls but the boys enjoyed it too.

[Rose McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought they were going to make a house in the book but they were actually making Aunt Lucy’s flower shop.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

how big is this mf attic that 3 girls all have separate ‘rooms’ in + a play area

the nostalgia that these books give me 💕💕

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little chapter book

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such sweet little books!

[Meredith Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such sweet books. Very much a slice of life and not much happens, but Leah is enchanted.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

:)

[Kelsey Shenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cute cute. Simple, adorable storyline with pictures on every page. Perfect for a read aloud for my 4yr old!

[K. Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All fine and good, and, really, a more developed plot than the first one. But not sure if I like how we’re treating Rosie in this one.

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so charming. They remind me of something my mother would introduce to me.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet installment in this gentle series. Despite the lack of in-depth plots, the writing is very good in these books. My kids especially like the love story brewing between the girls' aunt and her boyfriend, Michael.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Shopping is a delightful, little first chapter book about three cousins who are temporarily living with their Aunt Lucy while their parents travel the globe with their ballet troupe.

Aunt Lucy is smitten with Michael (whom the girls set up)...the cousins adore him, too! It's especially nice that they are both interested in plants and flowers...Aunt Lucy with her flower shop and Michael's studies in biology.

The girls, Lucy, Rosie, and Tess decided to build a miniature version of Aunt Lucy's Flower Shop to present to Lucy. It even has miniature versions of Michael and Lucy! In the end, Lucy loves it and the girls are pleased to have made her happy.