cover image What's So Great about Cindy Snappleby?

What's So Great about Cindy Snappleby?

Barbara Samuels. Orchard Books (NY), $13.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-531-05979-1

Big and little sisters everywhere will herald the return of the indefatigable Dolores, who with her fly-away hair and patched overalls presents a stunning contrast to her impeccably attired older sister, Faye. Here Faye is entertaining a special guest, Cindy Snappleby, who appears at the door dressed to impress in heart-shaped sunglasses, pink polka-dot dress and wide-brimmed hat. Dolores, however, is not impressed, and in her own inimitable way shows that she knows how to crack Cindy's cool-as-a-cucumber veneer. The younger sister gets the last, expertly targeted word in this tale, which is as refreshing as Dolores's prior escapades ( Faye and Dolores ; Happy Birthday, Dolores ). The diverting details--from Dolores's toy clutter to Cindy's disdainful glances--packed in Samuels's illustrations will keep children chuckling, even if they've never had to contend with a little sister. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)