Maple and Willow Together
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Maple and Willow Together is the second in Lori Nichols' developing series (Maple; Maple and Willow Apart) about the world of sisters growing up together. Each is a sweet story about a particular stage in their sibling relationship, and each can be read independently. Maple and Willow Together focuses on issues that arise when two very close sisters (they do everything together) begin to establish their own identities. Kids, especially those with either younger or older siblings, will appreciate the things the sisters do together, their special bond, their issues and resolutions. The expressive pencil artwork is tenderly touching, and, though the story is a common one, this original take is delightfully told.
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What's the Story?
Big sister Maple and little sister Willow play, pretend, eat, sleep, and basically do everything together. They love walking in the rain, playing with rocks, building fairy houses, and so on. However, they don't always see eye to eye. Things go smoothly until Willow begins to come into her own and stand up for her opinions: She wants to blow the dandelions into the wind while Maple wants to collect them. One thing leads to another, and soon they have an out-and-out fight, are separated, and are sent to their rooms. After a while apart, they realize how much they miss each other.
Is It Any Good?
MAPLE AND WILLOW TOGETHER is a happy, simple, enjoyable book that kids, especially those with siblings, will love. The interplay of language and art captures the subtleties of the relationship between the two sisters as they play, fight, and mend their relationship and gives the reader plenty to talk about. The great thing is that, though the reader assumes a parent must have intervened in the fight, no adult ever appears. This is the sisters' story, and they resolve the issue.
Straightforward, expressive text is perfectly complemented by the delicate yet strong pencil illustrations, which are digitally colored. This book celebrates sisterly love, nature, imagination, and independence. It's the perfect book for kids of all ages. And parents reading it aloud will fall in love with these two little sisters and their sweetness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the words on each page relate to the illustrations to tell a larger story. How do the drawings fill out and balance the text, especially the emotional part? Also, what's the special language the girls speak?
Why do the sisters get along in the first part of the book, even though they don't always agree? What changes when they start arguing about the dandelions? What do they do to resolve the issue? Do you think the experience brings them closer or not?
Have you ever had a "breakup" with one of your siblings or a close friend? What happened? Did you make up? How?
Book Details
- Author: Lori Nichols
- Illustrator: Lori Nichols
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
- Publication date: November 11, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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