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toad_maiden's review
2.0
I loved the illustrations and the character of Wee Sister Strange here. I have always loved stories about "wild" children, and this had potential. However, as is so common with this trope, this story's ending made it clear that wild children are not enough on their own, and that they are only made whole by the imposition of traditional domestic mores. This is always an uncreative and unsatisfying ending for me.
My other peeve with this story was in the "rhymed" verse. I first thought that the half rhymes were intentional--perhaps meant to perform the same kind of rule-breaking that Wee Sister enacts. However, I think it was actually just poorly written. The half rhymes made the meter feel awkward and stilted the verse. Not a fan.
My other peeve with this story was in the "rhymed" verse. I first thought that the half rhymes were intentional--perhaps meant to perform the same kind of rule-breaking that Wee Sister enacts. However, I think it was actually just poorly written. The half rhymes made the meter feel awkward and stilted the verse. Not a fan.
catlinjo's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book more, but the rhymes were a little rocky at a couple points that it threw me out of the story.
raoionna's review
3.0
Gorgeous images and rhyming text in this story of a (magical) orphan who is apparently sleeping outside your window. Odd ending.
pussreboots's review
4.0
Wee Sister Strange by Holly Grant and K.G. Campbell (illustrations) is a picture book metafiction horror about a magical girl who lives by herself in the woods and does all these magical things and has adventures.
FF66FF - Orphan home cornfield. Metafiction horrorhttp://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_04/wee_sister_strange.html
FF66FF - Orphan home cornfield. Metafiction horrorhttp://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_04/wee_sister_strange.html
cweichel's review
3.0
The illustrations really make this book. Otherwise, it was ok. I like the idea of some strange fey creature living in the woods. That what she was seeking was a bedtime story was kind of sad. The rhyming scheme didn't work for me.
oldwindways's review
4.0
Beautiful illustrations and a haunting (slightly creepy/meta) tale. I'm no expert when it comes to poetry, so I couldn't quite master the verse, but that didn't take too much away from the story.
tashrow's review
5.0
Wee Sister Strange is a girl who lives by herself by the woods in an old house. She spends time in the woods when others won’t be there. She enjoys the moon and the dark. She talks to the owls and buries the bones from their meals. She rides on the back of a ferocious bear. She climbs trees as wolves prowl below. She dives deep into the water of the bog looking at snail shells. Then a bright window beckons her closer. There is the reader, snug in bed reading this book! And Wee Sister Strange stays there, right outside, listening to the story and snuggling down in her own bed outside.
The poetry of this book immediately tells readers that they are in an odd world, one where a child merrily lives on her own. Wee Sister Strange is a beautiful and wild child; the language in the poem makes sure that children will see her as a welcome and safe part of the woods. Still, the bear is fierce and the wolves are about, so this is a wild woods, one where other may fear to explore. The bog is like that as well, cleverly not described as a lake and with the slime emphasized for good measure too. The art by Campbell is glowing and rich. The leaves on the trees are just about almost fallen entirely with a few stubborn yellow leaves lighting the branches like lanterns. The moon is full and throws shadows. The animals are strong and fanged. It’s a book with shivers and wonder galore. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
The poetry of this book immediately tells readers that they are in an odd world, one where a child merrily lives on her own. Wee Sister Strange is a beautiful and wild child; the language in the poem makes sure that children will see her as a welcome and safe part of the woods. Still, the bear is fierce and the wolves are about, so this is a wild woods, one where other may fear to explore. The bog is like that as well, cleverly not described as a lake and with the slime emphasized for good measure too. The art by Campbell is glowing and rich. The leaves on the trees are just about almost fallen entirely with a few stubborn yellow leaves lighting the branches like lanterns. The moon is full and throws shadows. The animals are strong and fanged. It’s a book with shivers and wonder galore. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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