Just Like Sisters

by Angela McAllister, Sophie Fatus (Illustrator)

Nancy knows that she and her pen pal, Ally, are going to be as close as sisters. And from the moment Ally steps off the plane to visit, the two girls are inseparable. With Ally's endless energy and Nancy's boundless joy, even everyday activities like dancing become a celebration of friendship.This irresistibly funny, heartwarming story -- which features an unlikely duo -- proves what all best pals know to be Friends are the family you shoose.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2005

About the author

Angela McAllister is an award- winning author of over eighty books for children, including picture books, junior fiction, non-fiction and novels. Her work has been adapted for the stage and is widely used in schools. It has been translated into more than twenty languages. She lives in the south of England.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heck, I can think of a few good reasons why a very pink "White" human girl (Ally) wouldn't become instantly believable as the sister of a green hippo girl (Nancy) twice her size and four times her weight.

But hearts are young and free and wide-open, at least in this book. Here's a sample quote:

The next day Nancy and Ally went shopping.
They bought everything exactly the same.
"I've never worn pink before. I think it looks good on me," said Nancy happily.
"I bet people will think we're twins," said Ally.

FIVE STARS, in honor of all that sweetness.

[LINDA]

i liked it a lot

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and cute idea.

[Richa Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I loved this book. Clearly, it's Ally the pen pal alligator who steals the show with her antics! Ally comes over to Nancy's and they discover that they have a lot in common, down to the fluffy pink scarves they pick up! And there's plenty of fun things they have up their sleeves to teach each other. Nancy fancies her as her twin, a wish that gets vindicated when the person at the airport check-in counter refers to them as sisters! Bot my daughter and I went 'awwwwww' at this point :)

The book is gently paced story of discovery a friend bit by bit, and it's a book with a decidedly girl-girl focus. But I see no reason why this book be lapped up by boys too with equal enthusiasm.

[Misty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like it when childrens authors mix female protagonists with traditionally 'boyish' motifs and vice versa. In this case an adorable little girls has fun and adventures with her pen pal alligator, Ally. There is not much in the way of plot here, so is probably a one-time read for us, but still cute.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky and original, with a simple story that allows the reader/listener to explore the visual oddities of these two "girls" who are just like sisters.

[Huda Fel · Rating 2 out of 5]

not bad