This is a truly gorgeous book about growing up. Our little narrator has no idea where her play pal or yore has gone. She's turned into some laptop-addicted, bedroom-haunting 'no' person. Gone are the days of giggles and smiles and playing together, dressing up the cat or trying on costumes.
Instead there's only frowning and secrets.
Beautifully penned with a subtly that's palpable, younger children, tweens, teens and adults will feel the heart-pull of this milestone shift from kid to grown-up. The slammed doors, the 'no one understands me', the feeling bereft at the relationship shifts and what has been left behind.
I simply adore Simona's illustrations and use of colour palette. Her scenes are whimsical and quirky, with beautiful linework and design.
With a heartfelt ending that brings hope to all stages of life (!) this is a tear-jerking, smile-inducing story that would make priceless reading both at home and in schools.
Title: Whatever Happened to My Sister?
Author/Illustrator: Simona Ciraolo
Publisher: Flying Eye Books, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2015
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781909263529
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book
