Review: Loula and the Sister Recipe by Anne Villeneuve

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Fed up with her terrible triplet brothers, Loula decides it's time her parents made her a sister. But they explain it isn't that simple -- it takes special "ingredients." With Gilbert, the chauffeur, the plucky girl gathers everything she needs. Then she waits and waits, and nothing happens ? until a hungry visitor arrives. Sweet with a generous dollop of humor, this is a satisfying story about not getting exactly what you want and perhaps enjoying it all the more.

MY TAKE:
Upon seeing the cover art, I recognized the style immediately as that of a book I liked a year ago, so I just had to read this one too.

In Loula and the Sister Recipe, Loula longs for a sister whom she can do the things she wants to do with. When she asks her parents for a sister, they tell her that there need to be certain ingredients before that were to happen. Once she has the list of ingredients, she and Gilbert, the chauffeur, head off in search of the ingredients so that Loula can have a sister of her own.

As with Loula is Leaving for Africa, the watercolor drawings here are beautifully rendered. The movement of the characters is also captured quite well here.

Loula is the same sweet and cute girl that you just can't help but cheer for. It's no wonder that the adults in her life humor her.

I actually liked this book better than the first one. I found myself laughing a few times at the funny lines and drawings, especially at the awkward way her parents tried to explain to Loula how babies are made. I also enjoyed the ending, as it was both unexpected and sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the e-ARC. Publication date of Loula and the Sister Recipe is on August 1, 2014.

THE GOOD:

1. The illustrations are gorgeous.
2. The story is funny and heartwarming.
3. Children and adults alike can enjoy this book.

THE BAD:

1. Boys may find some parts too girly. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"Gilbert, you can't have too much chocolate!", says Loula. 

READ IT IF:

1. You like beautifully illustrated children's books.
2. Your child wants to have a sister.
3. Your child is asking where babies come from and you think they're too young to know the real answer. 

RATING:


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