A Little Shopping

Cobble Street Cousins #2

by Cynthia Rylant, Wendy Anderson Halperin (Illustrator)

Three cousins--romantic Lily, practical Rosie, and outlandish Tess--are staying with their aunt Lucy on Cobble Street for the summer, and the girls have dreamed up a plan to keep themselves a cookie company.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked this one even better than the first (In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen: Ready-for-Chapters) in the series. The girls' personalities shine and I love their idea of making a miniature flower shop for Aunt Lucy. It's just so cute; their enthusiasm over the idea, their fun browsing in the little craft store, and their friendship as they laugh and chat and dream while they make the surprise. Reminds me of me and my sister when we were little! Also, Michael features prominently in this book and, like Aunt Lucy, I am quite smitten with him--his patience, his kindness, his messy hair, sweet nature and his love of exotic teas! ;-) I look forward to more in this charming series.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect little starter books for my 6 year old. Wholesome and endearing.

[Hannah Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was a childhood favorite of mine, and I loved reliving memories reading this book to my younger siblings. These are the quaintest, most wholesome darling little books full of gentle humor, charm and whimsy. Such a delight!

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute :)

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such creative cousins :)

[Elisabeth (Bets) · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 minutes for this one 🤭

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like projects. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when they made a flower shop project.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful set of characters! This was a sweet book that was a pleasure to read with my 8 year old daughter. A simple innocent vignette from the lives of three girls living on Cobble Street. We will read the rest of this series for sure!

[Myrna ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Little Shopping" was my favorite of the The Cobble Street Cousins series. In this story, the cousins make a miniature version of their Aunt Lucy's flower shop. Myrna, age 7

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute series.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of creativity and kindness with a little parrot adventure on the side. Early-middle grade fiction, second in a series. Takes place in October.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This throwback series from the 90s if full of old-fashioned charm as the three cousins tackle a crafty surprise. Part Bobbsey Twins, part Little Women, in a Hallmark-town setting, these little adventures are light on drama and large on personality. Green Gables fans will smile at the besties rituals and Aunt Lily's blushing romance. Halperin's quaint illustrations evoke Susan Winget-level love in every flouncy detail.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant really has a genius for writing books that will appeal to kids and grown-ups alike. This is not in any way an earth-shattering or dramatic story. It is a sweet story about three girl cousins and their aunt, and it makes you wish you could be one of them. Sure, thir life might be a little unrealistically sweet, or they might be unrealistically talented, but it is a pleasant, homey, welcoming story.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Cobble Street Cousins sees the cousins heading off to school for the fall while Aunt Lucy tends her flower shop. The cousins decide they need an after-school project to work on together. They decide to make a miniature model of Aunt Lucy's flower shop and have great fun creating it.

[Anna Moffett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant next installment. Very nostalgic and wholesome — no villains or evil in sight on Cobble Street! Just three sweet cousins working together to create something special for their beloved aunt. Will keep reading aloud with the kids!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I love this series. It is sweet, increases vocabulary, and inspires service and kindness.

[Ashley Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute continuation of the first. The girls make a surprise for Aunt Lucy.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story arc is simply too short to add value beyond building the characters for the next volume in the series.

[Blaire Watanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious & sweet. More for girls but the boys enjoyed it too.

[Rose McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought they were going to make a house in the book but they were actually making Aunt Lucy’s flower shop.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

how big is this mf attic that 3 girls all have separate ‘rooms’ in + a play area

the nostalgia that these books give me 💕💕

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little chapter book

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such sweet little books!

[Meredith Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such sweet books. Very much a slice of life and not much happens, but Leah is enchanted.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

:)

[Kelsey Shenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cute cute. Simple, adorable storyline with pictures on every page. Perfect for a read aloud for my 4yr old!

[K. Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All fine and good, and, really, a more developed plot than the first one. But not sure if I like how we’re treating Rosie in this one.

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so charming. They remind me of something my mother would introduce to me.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet installment in this gentle series. Despite the lack of in-depth plots, the writing is very good in these books. My kids especially like the love story brewing between the girls' aunt and her boyfriend, Michael.