The Lemon Sisters

by Andrea Cheng, Tatiana Mai-Wyss (Illustrations)

On her eightieth birthday, a woman watches three young sisters play outside in the snow, remembers good times with her own sisters, and receives several birthday surprises, in a title that includes a simple recipe for making lemon ice with snow.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2006

About the author

Andrea Cheng is a Hungarian-American children's author and illustrator. The child of Hungarian immigrants, she was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio in an extended family with three generations under one roof. Her family spoke Hungarian and English at home. After graduating with a BA in English from Cornell University, she went to Switzerland, where she apprenticed to a bookbinder, attended a school of bookbinding called The Centro del Bel Libro, and learned French. Upon her return, she returned to Cornell to study Chinese and earned an MS in linguistics. Now she teaches English as a Second Language at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Her children’s books include Grandfather Counts, Marika, The Key Collection, Honeysuckle House, Where the Steps Were, The Bear Makers, and Brushing Mom’s Hair. With her husband, Jim Cheng, she has three children: Nicholas, Jane, and Ann.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story features something rather unusual in picture books—an elderly protagonist. The eighty-year-old lady narrates the story explaining how she watches three little girls playing in the snow and how they remind her of herself and her sisters when they were young. This leads her to reminisce about her sisters and how she misses them and wishes they would visit. There are a few "surprises" in the story, including kindnesses given and returned. I appreciated the multigenerational aspect and the sisterly bond represented. I especially enjoyed the illustrations—and our dear old lady's house and her hair-do ;-> The little girls even reminded me ever so slightly of the adorable trio from the movie "Despicable Me". All in all a sweet story and one that fills a nice space in the children's book realm as it's nice to see an elderly character portrayed for her own sake and not just as a grandparent or other elderly relative (though, of course, I do love me some good grandparent books, too!) A few others I can think of include the Mr Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant and the book Miss Twiggley's Tree.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This was written for me, obviously. ;) Even though I don't have a sister.
And for you, and you, and...

I read it as an ebook from my library. It's also archived on openlibrary.org. But it really should be in every library in paper.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I liked this one a lot. Maybe it's because I have three sisters.

The three Lemon sisters are getting old. They cannot travel to see each other as they once did. So when the oldest of the sisters watches her neighbors, three young sisters, out the window playing in the snow, she is filled with nostalgic feelings. The remind her of times spent playing with her sisters, making lemon ice treats from the snow.

She misses her sisters. She misses the days they spent together. But a very pleasant surprise lifts her out of her gloom and makes for a lovely day.

Loved this. It has a gentle spirit, much like a Cynthia Rylant story. Christmas in the Country comes to mind.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story isn't your typical little kid storybook. It's main character is an elderly lady reminiscing about her childhood as she watches three little girls out her window play. As she watches and listens to them it reminds her of her two sisters and how they would play as children. She makes friends with them and they soon learn it's her birthday and the ending is a special one for them all. Special for the reader too. Very heartwarming for 'older' readers that maybe reading it to their young special one. My 3 year old granddaughter enjoyed the story and illustrations just as much as I did.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

On her 80th birthday, a woman watches three young sisters play outside in the snow, remembers good times with her own sisters, and receives several birthday surprises. Includes a simple recipe for making lemon ice with snow.


Subjects


Sisters -- Juvenile fiction


Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction


Old age -- Juvenile fiction.


Neighbors -- Juvenile fiction.


Snow -- Juvenile fiction

This book is a good choice for an older child who is able to sit through a longer book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of an elderly lady watching 3 girls play in the snow. It is her 80th birthday and she remembers fun times in the snow with her 2 sisters when they were young. She kindly teaches the girls how to make "lemon ice" and is rewarded with several surprises. Good example of showing kindness and respect for the elderly. I'm not sure if younger grades will relate to the elderly main character, though.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming tale of an old woman who shares one of her favorite winter activities with some young girls in her neighborhood. I love that the old woman is the main character of the story and we were all excited to try her lemon ice recipe, although we don't always get a lot of snow where we live.

Overall, we really enjoyed reading this book together. The narrative is very entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and nicely detailed and they complement the story nicely.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

On her 80th birthday the oldest of the Lemon sisters is missing her sisters, Rita and Mae. She finds joy in watching three little sisters play in the snow. Little does she know she is in for a big surprise.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having a hard time figuring out the audience for this book. To me an 80 year old as the storyteller doesn't really work for a kids picture book, it feels more for adults. Liked the illustrations and the idea of groups of 3 sisters now and long time ago enjoying the same simple treat of lemon ice.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this book. While reading it seemed to sneak up on me and make me cry. A sweet story :)

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, especially for sisters, old and young. The illustrations and story are wonderful.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very timely that I happened upon this book at another branch yesterday, as my two sisters are coming to visit in a few days. Perhaps I'll make Lemon icies (with a hint of Lynchberg infused) for us.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're never too old to have fun. My mom is turning eighty in a few weeks and I could see her do this and act this way. I loved the illustrations, very soft.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things to do during the winter, helping the elderly, loneliness

[Mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic. Liked it, but not sure how strong for children. Focus was more on the old lady’s story of her youth and her sisters, instead of the little girls in the snow.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story and the illustrations! Great book to share with your sisters.

[Hillvan]

AD560L

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about sisters

[Deja Bertucci]

Strange choice to tell the story in the voice of an 80-year-old looking back on her childhood. Didn't work for me.