SMART SISTERS

A poetic picture book in praise of sister bonds.

“Two of a kind / sharpens the mind!” Portraying a variety of sororal pairs, the book makes clear that sisters have each other’s backs, ask tough questions, and inspire each other. On each spread, one sister appears on the recto, the other on the verso. Clean lines and bright colors will catch readers’ eyes, and varied backgrounds emphasize that these sisters belong everywhere. The girls present as Black and brown, but despite the wonderful array of skin tones, they all have similarly shaped faces and the same noses. Although each has her own hairstyle and clothing flair, the book brings to mind computer games in which players build an avatar from different parts and accessories. Like the characters in Roe’s Happy Hair (2019) and Cool Cuts (2020), these girls face readers, though a few appear in profile; all have their eyes closed. Their pleasant expressions could be interpreted as contemplative or peaceful but could also be read as passive, which undermines the text that describes the sisters as roaring, soaring, exploring, inspiring dreams, and giving shoutouts. The title feels ill-fitting; since the characters aren’t depicted doing anything, how do readers know they are smart? The formulaic visuals and predictable text make this an uninspiring read, and since even close sisters must sometimes work through disagreements, it also feels disingenuous. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

For worthwhile sister lore, look elsewhere.