Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick

Almost fearless Sheila Rae, of Sheila Rae, the Brave fame, is back... this time with a peppermint stick. This peppermint stick is "long. And striped. And thin. And sweet." And it's all hers. But then along comes Sheila Rae's little sister, Louise, hankering for some of that spicy sweetness. "Please?" she says, ever so hopefully. Sheila Rae, in the quintessential way of big sisters, proceeds to taunt, torment, and tease her younger sibling. "You can have one lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." Smugly, she waits for Louise's answer of "Thirteen-seven." Readers of the earlier Sheila Rae title will not be too surprised to see this mouse heroine get her comeuppance once again, and everyone will rejoice at the happy, win-win finale.

Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and many other award-winning and beloved picture books, creates a charming pair of characters in this simple, very amusing story with a familiar theme. The small board-book format--Henkes's first!--is perfect for the tiny hands of young readers. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter