Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick
Almost fearless Sheila Rae, ofSheila Rae, the Bravefame, is  back... this time with a peppermint stick. This peppermint stick is "long. And  striped. And thin. And sweet." And it's all hers. But then along comes Sheila  Rae's little sister, Louise, hankering for some of that spicy sweetness.  "Please?" she says, ever so hopefully. Sheila Rae, in the quintessential way of  big sisters, proceeds to taunt, torment, and tease her younger sibling. "You can  have one lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." Smugly, she waits  for Louise's answer of "Thirteen-seven." Readers of the earlier Sheila Rae title  will not be too surprised to see this mouse heroine get her comeuppance once  again, and everyone will rejoice at the happy, win-win finale.Kevin Henkes, creator ofLilly's  Purple Plastic Purseand many other award-winning and beloved picture  books, creates a charming pair of characters in this simple, very amusing story  with a familiar theme. The small board-book format--Henkes's first!--is perfect  for the tiny hands of young readers. (Baby to preschool)--Emilie Coulter