Stella only remembers four things from before Marigold was born but, afterwards, she remembers “everything.” When Stella’s parents bring newborn Marigold home from the hospital, Stella whispers into “Marigold’s squishy pink ear" that she’s going to tell Marigold “all the secret things…forever and ever.” And she does!
Most of the story takes place when Stella is seven and Marigold is four. They live with their parents in the bottom half of a house (the “lucky half”) in a city. When Marigold insists to her mother she did not take the drain cover off and drop a hairclip down the bathroom sink on purpose, Stella comforts her sister by explaining that it must have been the clips and pony bands, the brush and toothpaste, all walking around, as they do, for four minutes every night.
After Marigold gets lost in the Meerkat Mound at the zoo, Stella is there to soothe with another story, this one involving the Vice President and a medal. And, when Marigold’s turn at being Sprout of the Week ends badly, Stella takes her sister on a trip to Japan by rocket, with the moon and snow monkeys and hot baths in warm pools, until Marigold is ready to go home again for dinner. Marigold, in her turn, looks out for Stella, even when doing so includes eating barf-inducing eggs, and especially when it involves wearing her favorite Halloween bunny suit.
This book showcases a delightful understanding between the two siblings. When Marigold has trouble navigating her world, Stella’s stories are just what the younger girl needs and Marigold rewards her older sister with unconditional love, trust, and a healthy amount of adoration. Blackhall’s gorgeous, full-color illustrations adorn every spread and elevate the narrative into an especially lovely book to hold and treasure. I’m hoping for many more gentle adventures with this pair.
--Lynn
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