Big Red Lollipop

Written by Rukhsana Khan · Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

A young girl navigates the challenges of having a little sister who always wants to tag along.

4.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 4,201 ratings

40 pages· 827 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Rubina's excitement for her first birthday party dims when her mother insists she bring her little sister, Sana. At the party, Sana's antics disrupt the fun, and she even swipes Rubina's cherished red lollipop. Frustrated and embarrassed, Rubina faces a dilemma: how to handle her mischievous sister without ruining her own joy. Will Rubina find a way to reclaim her special day, or will Sana's mischief overshadow her first party experience? This tale of sibling rivalry and unexpected lessons unfolds with humor and heart, leaving readers to wonder how Rubina will navigate her tricky situation.

"Now it's Sana's turn to beg and plead. Ami won't listen. Sana's begging so hard she's crying, but still Ami won't listen. I *could* just watch her have to take Maryam. I *could* just let her make a fool of herself at that party. I *could* just let her not be invited to any more parties, but something makes me tap Ami on the shoulder. 'What?' 'Don't make Sana take Maryam to the party.'"

— from the book

From the publisher

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can’t convince Ami that you just don’t bring your younger sister to your friend’s party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina’s prized party favor, a red lollipop. What’s a fed-up big sister to do?

Awards

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2010)Charlotte Zolotow Award (2011)Golden Kite Award (2011)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 40
Words: 827
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD490L

Themes & topics

Books about social themes Books about birthdays Books about sisters Books about siblings Books about parties

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.5

out of 7

5.8

“At the beginning of this book, I was a little skeptical, but as the story unfolded, I was hooked. The book has a decent amount of diversity without appearing to be trying too hard. The way this outsider family navigates new cultural norms and learns empathy and understanding both among sisters and for a new culture is impressive. The sibling dynamic is fairly typical without being over the top. I was glad that the mother listened to her older daughter's opinion near the end of the story, valuing the way her child's experience could inform her decision and help her to be sympathetic to her other daughter's wishes. The illustrations are nicely drawn and enhance the mood of each page.”

Grammy

Trusted reviewer

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