I had a bad August.
A very bad August.
As bad as pickle juice on a cookie.
*As bad as a spider web on your leg.
*
As bad as the black parts on a banana.
I hope your August was better.
I really do.
When Eleanor's beloved babysitter, Bibi, has to move away to take care
of her ailing father, Eleanor must try to bear the summer without Bibi
and prepare for the upcoming school year. Her new, less-than-perfect
babysitter just isn't up to snuff, and she doesn't take care of things
like Bibi used to. But as the school year looms, it's time for new
beginnings. Eleanor soon realizes that she will always have Bibi, no
matter how far away she is.
Written in a lyrical style with thoughtful and charming illustrations
throughout, this remarkable debut novel tells a poignant story of
friendship and the bittersweet feelings of growing up.
**Praise for *Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie
***"Eleanor's ingenuous free-verse monologue should strike a chord with
readers, especially those who may have had to cope with the loss of a
loved one. Cordell's halftone cartoons convey the story's pathos and
humor, as well as Eleanor's changeable moods." -Publishers Weekly
"Cordell's winsome cartoon drawings complement the text without
overcrowding the verse. It tells a simple, poignant story that will
resonate with any child who has ever had to say good-bye." -Booklist
"This first novel is a promising debut. Eleanor's concerns, not only
about her babysitter, but also about playmates, friends and a new school
year will be familiar to readers, who will look forward to hearing more
about her life." -*Kirkus Reviews
*
"Sternberg hits all the right notes here, capturing a sensitive kid's
first experience of loss with tender respectfulness and full
acknowledgment that separation is a bereavement too. Sprightly line
drawings, with the same perky homeyness as the story, add visual
energy." -*Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
*
"Heartfelt, accessible, and energetic..." -Bulletin of the Center for
Children's Books
This heartwarming novel and its winsome cartoon-like illustrations draw
readers right into the story. Children would enjoy this short chapter
book as an independent read, but it would also be a particularly good
choice for parents to read to or with their children. -BookPage
