Princess Arabella Is a Big Sister - by Mylo Freeman (Hardcover)

About the Book

Princess Arabella is going to be a big sister but she can't decide what's better- a younger sister or a brother?

Book Synopsis

The newest title in the popular Princess Arabella series! Princess Arabella can't wait to have a younger sibling to play with. But what would be most fun - a brother or a sister? Sisters seem great... until Arabella meets Prince Mimoun's sister. A brother then? Princess Ling's brother's seem like too much trouble! What do Mom and Dad have in store for Princess Arabella?

Review Quotes

After only child Princess Arabella requests a younger sibling, she questions whether she wants to be a big sister after all. Princess Arabella gets tired of playing by herself all the time. "Wouldn't it be nice to have...someone you could always play with?" She asks her Mum and Dad to "get a little brother or sister for [her] tomorrow." Unfazed, her parents ask her which she would prefer. When she visits Prince Mimoun, having his little sister Laila around seems like fun--until Laila starts a fight over who got more candy. When she visits Princess Ling, having three little brothers to play with is nice--until they all clamor for the last puzzle piece, breaking the puzzle in the process. Maybe an older sister would be better? But Princess Sophie's big sister isn't much fun at all. Months later, Princess Arabella has decided that being an only child is actually pretty good--but Mum's belly has grown. Princess Arabella is surprised to meet her new family members: a sister and a brother. This Belgian-via-Britain import has a dreamlike sense of the passage of time, but it stays true to the emotional ups and downs of family life. The brightly colored illustrations and straightforward story arc with a fun surprise ending are bound to please young readers. Princess Arabella and her family present black, and visual cues and characters' names imply diversity among her friends, who are coded Muslim, Chinese, and white. A chuckleworthy royal roller coaster. (Picture book. 3-7)

About the Author

Mylo Freeman grew up in The Hague and lives in Amsterdam. She has been a full-time writer-illustrator since 1993 and has published over 50 picture books. Her debut book Potty! was awarded the Kiek Book Prize and has been translated into many languages. Mylo's best-selling Princess Arabella series is published by Cassava Republic Press.