“The rhyming tale is enhanced by whimsical watercolor cartoons...The pictures are humorous, but understated and appealing. An endearing addition to stories about family relationships and sibling rivalry.”
–School Library Journal
“Sibling rivalry gets funny, nerve-striking treatment in My Sister Gracie...Johnson combines witty, Seuss-like language with delightfully silly images.”
–Maclean’s
“Johnson’s illustrations render the emotion so humorously and expressively that it feels like two new characters might have walked onto the stage of children’s books...all the subtlety and complexity of the emotional dynamics are there in the pictures...Visually this is a delight.”
–The Toronto Star
“Johnson’s rhymes are silly and smart, and her illustrations will delight budding young readers or those who love a laptop reading session.”
–Hamilton Spectator
“Johnson’s rhyming story moves well as the lyrical narrative bounces gleefully along. No ‘he saids’ or ‘she saids’ clutter the way. Ink-drawn details on muted watercolor follow suit–simple and exceptionally well crafted...the language makes for both a romping bedtime story and manageable goal for new readers.”
–Today’s Library
“My Sister Gracie is a sweet story about accepting a new sibling even if they are not quite what one expects...The rhyming text makes it a great bedtime story for a youngster about to have a new brother or sister. The rhyming text makes it a fun read aloud.”
–Top of Texas Review
Fabio is an only dog. He longs for a brother to play with him, to share his toys, and to show off to his friends. His owners agree that Fabio should have companionship. The time has come to get another dog.
Much to Fabio's horror, the dog they bring home is not the frisky brother he envisioned. It is fat old Gracie, fresh from the pound. She's tired, she's shy, and worst of all, she's a girl. Fabio does everything he can to get rid of the interloper. But while it's all right for him to complain about Gracie, just watch the fur fly when the other dogs make fun of her. Fabio realizes that families, and love, come in all shapes and sizes.
This story will be familiar to any child who has wanted a brother or sister and is surprised to find that what arrives is not the full-fledged playmate he or she expected.
"From the Hardcover edition.