Big Red Lollipop

by

Rukhsana Khan

Illustrated by

Sophie Blackall

2011 Notable Children’s Book

 

Khan, R. (2010). Big red lollipop. New York, NY: Viking.

EXPOSITION: Rubina has two younger sisters and a loving but firm mother.  One day, Rubina comes home very excited because she has been invited to a birthday party.

CONFLICT: Rubina’s mother says she can go to the party if she brings her little sister, Sana.  Rubina protests, but her mother insists.  

RISING ACTION: At the party, Sana causes lots of problems.  As the children leave, each is given a bag of candy, including a big red lollipop.

CLIMAX: The next morning, Rubina finds that Sana has eaten her lollipop.  She's is very angry with her little sister, because she doesn’t get invited to any more birthday parties 

FALLING ACTION: One day, Sana comes home very excited because she has been invited to a birthday party, but her mother says she must take her little sister.  Sana is just as upset as Rubina was when she had to take Sana, but their mother insists.

RESOLUTION: Rubina gently persuades her mother to let Sana go to the party alone.  When she comes home, Sana brings Rubina a big green lollipop, and they become friends again.

WAS THIS A WELL-ILLUSTRATED BOOK?  Sophie Blackall does a good job of drawing characters that reflect the heritage of the author, who immigrated from Pakistan.  Subtle elements like clothing indicate the heritage of the family.  The pictures are simplistic, like the story they illustrate, and can be easily appreciated by the young readers  

PICTURE SOURCES:

planetesme.blogspot.com

bookstogether.squarespace.co