خواهر بزرگ، خواهر کوچک

by Charlotte Zolotow, فریدون رحیمی (translator), محمد نیکفر (illustrator)

A small girl runs away from her domineering older sister, only to discover how much she is needed and loved.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction

16 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Miss Ravi · Rating 3 out of 5]

خواهر کوچک باید لوس و ننر باشد. خواهر بزرگ باید مراقبش باشد. خواهر کوچک باید هر کاری دلش خواست بکند. خواهر بزرگ باید... . دوره‌ای از زندگی که نقش‌ات فقط «خواهر کوچک» است، آن‌قدر اوضاع بر وقف مرادت هست که فکر کنی کتابی هم در وصف‌ات نوشته‌اند.

*مشغول نوشتن مطلبی بودم که ناگهان یاد این کتاب افتادم و تصویر جلدش بی‌درنگ در ذهنم روشن شد. یادم نیست چند ساله بودم اما هدیه‌ای بود که خودم انتخابش کردم. فراموش‌نشدنی.

[Arghavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

به لطف قرنطینه و سایت کتابخونه ملی، «بیا بگیر فین کن» رو بعد از پونزده بیست سال دوباره خوندم و دیس واز سام تراماتایزینگ دیپ شت، واقعن :)))

[Shadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

این کتاب رو صرفا به خاطر اسمش و القای روابط عاطفی اطرافمون و ایعاد پنهانش به عنوان هدیه های رندومی که به کودکان میدم انتخاب کرده بودم که ترجیح دادم اول خودم بخونم و عاشقش شدم. جسارت بیان ابعاد دوست نداشتی ارتباط های اطراف به خصوص خانوادگی چیزی ه که بهش نیاز داریم تا از تقدس روابط خونی دور بشیم. لطفا برای بچه های دور و برتون تهیه‌ش کنید. فقط من کمی با تصویرگری ش مشکل داشتم که فکر نمیکنم درست باشه ایدئولوژی حجاب رو تو کتاب های کودکان جا بدیم.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story quite a bit. I thought the illustrations were quite charming, although the style is quite old and may not be as appealing to readers today.

The story was sweet - a protective older sibling cares for her younger sister, doing her best to take care of her. The younger sister desires to be more independent, however, and sneaks away on an adventure. Although she has fun, she regrets her actions when she realizes how distressed her sister is over her disappearance.

It's sweet, but doesn't feel entirely realistic. Maybe due to the difference in time periods - children back then would have been expected to hold more responsibilities than today, I suppose. It's possible an older child would have been left as caregiver if both parents were needed to work, run the household, or were otherwise engaged.
I just know that my brother and I were only a little further apart in age than the sisters seem to be set, and we fought like a cat and dog as soon as he was mobile enough to get into my things. Not to mention my moms stories, from growing up in the sixties, and her brothers dismembering her dolls. The older sister in the story must have the patience of a saint.
Mind you, I've seen a home ex. Manual that must have been from the fifties or so that had pages on interacting with younger siblings and childcare - it certainly spoke as if it were expected that an Older sibling would be expected to take part in raising younger siblings, which reinforces that it may simply be a difference in attitudes.

Overall it's a cute story,and I could see someone reading it to a child who is eagerly anticipating becoming an older sibling. And I'm sure that the flip-side story of a child frustrated by a bossy older sibling would hold just as well today!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a realistic story, and sweet as well.

We have two sisters. The older one, like older sisters everywhere, is very protective of her younger sister. She doesn't jump rope, or go to school, or sew a button without making sure her sister is safe. And her sister lets her, until one day she's tired of having cookies and lemonade managed for her, and tired of being told how to do things and when.

So she leaves. She leaves her house, and her block, and goes right to an empty field where she lies down and thinks about things for a while.

And when her worried big sister comes out the door, the little one stays still and doesn't answer, and doesn't answer, until her older sister sits right down and cries.

At this point the little sister does just the right thing, which she's learned from her older sister. And as they go home, we're told that they now protected each other, and I cry.

It's just a very sweet story, one I really recommend for any sister.

[Kayla Soliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lesson for young children. This book teaches about the importance of family. Two young sisters realize the importance of each other when they are separated. This is a tale for kindergarten or first grade. Anyone who has a sibling knows just how frustrating they can be but you will always love them at the end of the day. Older siblings take care of the younger ones and the younger siblings tend to get tired of it but come to realize that they are only thinking of the best for them.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a little sister with a big sister, which is probably why I loved this book. I remember reading it when I was about 8, it was borrowed from the library and I tried to copy all the words before it was returned but never finished. It’s one of those random old memories: sitting at the bottom of the stairs reading this book. At 38 I no longer think of myself as being the ‘little sister’ but by virtue of birth order my 4yo is and I think she will relate to this story too. Most importantly, I hope my girls do learn from each other so that they too ‘both know how’.

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this picture book. The book shows how sisters are there for each other. The pictures confirm the meaning portrayed by the author. Big Sister and Little Sister would be a good book for a read aloud for an early reader because of some of the big words in the book. The little sister runs away, but in the end learns from big sister how to care of one another.

[Anne White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as much a part of my daughters' lives (because they are three big and little sisters) as it was part of mine (because I was a big sister with a little sister). We loved the story...we loved the pictures. We loved the younger sister's holding out on the too-bossy big one (and it reminded us older ones not to be *too* bossy).

We couldn't figure out where the parents were, though.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing this book again reminded me about this. I haven't read this book in a long time, but we've had it since I was little. Such a sweet book, I need to read it to my baby sister. The pictures are lovely and the story is so lovable.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this on Marni's bookshelf and went straight over to half.com to get myself a copy. It arrived today. Now I'm prepared when my girls have a disagreement. They'll sit on the couch and read this together. Such a cute, cute book. I loved it and the sweet pictures.

[Erica Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Sister and Little Sister was one of my (and my sister's) favorite books growing up. The illustrations are exquisite and the sweetly told story of the two little girls is still one that I love to pick up and re-read. Highly recommended!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about the relationship between an older sister and a younger sister. I have three daughters and my two older girls love this book! After reading it for the first time, my 5 year old and 3 year old acted out the book and had a grand time doing so.

[Cheyanne Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book. It is about two loving sisters who take care of one another. the illustrations are simple, the only colors that are used throughout the book are black, green and pink, which add a character all its own. I recommend this book to all that have sisters or daughters.

[The Hofs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that was produced when I asked for a book that we have not read for awhile and had lovely pictures. Thank God for sweet Godmothers who send us such treasures! A sweet book that is a must for any family with at least two girls. The perfect gift for the new big sister!

[Diana Pettis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realistic fiction story about how a big sister feels as though she has to take care of her little sister. It made me think of my little sister "Laura". I don't think I will read it to the 2nd grade class today.

[سیده فاطمه مطهری · Rating 5 out of 5]

یه کتاب نوستالژی طور. بچه بودم میخوندمش و خودم و خواهر بزرگمو جای شخصیت هاش میذاشتم. حالا بعد بیست و خورده ای سال دوباره خریدمش.
توی ایران کانون چاپ ش کرده و البته همه عکسهاش روسری دارن! :))
فریدون رحیمی هم ترجمه اش کرده

[Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

First big sister is always taking care of little sister. Then Little sister runs away and wants to be independent. She sees how upset big sister gets when she misses her. At the end, big sister and little sister take care of each other.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister relationships are both wonderful and challenging. With a family of 5, 4 of them sisters, this is a great one to have around...if for no other reason than to reinforce that the older-younger sister dynamics are normal for everybody.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my mother's favorite books to read to me and my sister Clare.

Domineering? Moi?

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first favorite books. Jennifer and I liked it equally because we were both featured.

[Alfajirikali · Rating 4 out of 5]

the artwork was a bit off putting, but the story was really, really sweet. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sister like that?

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this for Carolyn for Christmas. Super cute story about two sisters taking care of and helping each other, little sister learning from big sister.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is darling...reminds me of summer as a child.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a big and little sister that learn to care for and help each other. My daughters loved it.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made us all say, "Awwww!" Typical Zolotow - moving, great pictures, lovely text. Great for anyone who has or is a sibling - especially a sister.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the sweetest stories about sisters.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the relationship between two sisters. I really loved this story I think mostly because I could relate to it being a little sister myself.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very sentimental memory for me from my childhood. It has a very special place for me. Every big sister/little sister team needs to read this book.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this old-timey illustrations. The fact that little sister wanted some "alone time" worried my little first born.