A SISTER'S WISH
by Kate Jacobs & illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Warm, expressive pastels reinforce a text inspired by Jacobs's song about a girl burdened by brothers (stepbrothers, half- brothers, whole brothers) and wishing for a sister. The transition from sung verse to book text is surprisingly smooth; these are homey, simple wishes in any medium. The language is plain and unforced, working off the strength of detail in the girl's life and only once invoking a metaphor (``there's a princess's heart/beating under these thorns''). Carpenter's lovely paintings are alive with action; her characters have vivid facial expressions and dynamic body language. The story perpetuates gender stereotypes (the boys play rough, and with guns, while the girl picks flowers and serves imaginary tea), but it does so with the ring of truth. (Picture book. 4-8)