The Youngest Sister
The Youngest Sister
The grandmother shared the goat cheese. She brushed the hair out of Picu’s face and gave her a little extra cheese.
The Youngest Sister is a moving tale written by Argentine/Spanish author Suniyay Moreno and illustrated by Mariana Chiesa. This book captures essence of family dynamics and memory. The first page introduces readers to Picu’s poor family: “The mum, the five sisters, the seven cousins, and the two children of Swallow the peon had slept in the hut that night” (p. 4). Picu is the smallest of all these individuals and is given the task of getting “the flavour bone at Dona Ciriaca’s” (p. 6). After Picu obtains the bone, Dona Ciriaca warns her to hurry home as “the Sachajoy is about” (p. 12). Picu meanders home to find her grandmother there and a meal being prepared – one to which she is able to contribute with a surprise find of her own, something besides the flavour bone.
Chiesa’s illustrations are full of colour and warmth. The detail, garb, expressions, and style of each character bring them to life. It’s evident throughout the book that this story takes place in a foreign land; the pictures do well in depicting this fact. Young readers are sure to have questions about where this story takes place. A helpful glossary of words resides on the final page to further answer any questions they may have.
Suniyay Moreno’s The Youngest Sister is a charming tale that brings to light family dynamics, being the youngest, customs in foreign lands, and the ability of any person to contribute to a happy family. Mariana Chiesa’s illustrations are calm yet vibrant, a suitable partner to a tale that houses both legend and daily life.
Nikita Griffioen is a high school teacher in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and the illustrator of children’s book Mama’s Carnitas. When she is not too busy teaching, traveling, reading, making art, or playing sports, you can find her writing and illustrating her own stories.