Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Big Sister, Long Coat by Nelly Buchet offers an intriguing premise with its exploration of family dynamics and identity, but unfortunately, it didn't fully meet my expectations. The writing is evocative, and Buchet’s style captures moments of deep emotion, particularly in the protagonist's complex relationship with her older sister.

In other words, Nice content with fun and love but irrelevant theme. Title was irrelevant and so does many of the illustrations. At most of the pages, the words didn't match with graphics. Overall, the book is quite the fun and engaging but still the ending yet again was sudden and disconnected.

However, I found the pacing a bit uneven. At times, the narrative felt slow and the characters, though well-developed, seemed to lack depth in certain key areas. The atmosphere of the story is rich, but the plot sometimes meanders, leaving me wanting more in terms of both emotional payoff and resolution.

While the novel has its moments of insight and beauty, I couldn't help but feel that it fell short of its potential, making it a solid but not entirely captivating read. If you're a fan of introspective family dramas, it may still resonate with you, but it didn’t leave as lasting an impression as I had hoped.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Pretty colors about a day gone awry with a girl and her sister. The long coat actually doesn't get much of a mention at all in the story. There's a zoo visit that gets rained out and a library visit that closes early. There are subway rides and puddle jumping as this is set in a very urban, non-descript setting. At the end of the story the girl reflects on her day and realises that it was after all a good day because she was able to spend it with her sister.

Cute little book about how our plans can sometimes have to be changed but it’s still ok and can still be fun. I think this book has an important lesson about finding the positive in a negative. Likely most appropriately written for preschool-kindergarten. I think any age can see the lesson but the story quickly jumps through and the lesson may be lost if you go too much higher than kindergarten or 1st because those kids might just be like “so what” but this is a good way for younger children to learn empathy.

‘Big Sister, Long Coat’ by Nelly Buchet with illustrations by Rache Katstaller is a picture book about two sisters out for a day of fun.

Two sisters head out for a day together, but it’s hot and crowded, so their plans have to change. When it starts to rain, they have to change plans again. What they discover is the joy in each others’ company.

The message of the bonds that siblings can make is strong, as is the message about being resilient and adaptable to change. The pictures are colorful and made me smile. Young readers should like this one.

A simple story with the most darling illustrations. When a day out doesn’t go as planned big sis knows just what to do. A story about sisterhood, friendship, adapting, the power of the imagination. Plans don’t need to be elaborate or perfect to equal a fun day. A darling book that would make a fine addition to any children’s book collection.

A very fun book about sister/sibling love. Fun pictures that the youngest children will enjoy. Great ideas for sister adventures that they will treasure.

Well huh. The illustrations were cute. The story ended well there just wasn’t much of one. I think it’s sweet the sisters spending time together but there’s no real description of what there day was supposed to be only how it wasn’t working out.

Maybe little ones would enjoy it more.

Very cute children’s book, I wish there had been a little bit more to the story and more plot but I enjoyed it and the art style!

An outing gone wrong at every turn. This story of sisters dealing with disappointment is a reminder of how to make the best of the time we spend with our family. A great lesson for all ages.

As a big sister I love the message of this book. It has a fun message of being able to do fun things even when the day doesn't go as planned. The art is cute. My kids would have loved this when they were younger.

Big Sister, Long Coat by Nelly Buchet is a really cute story about a young sibling spending time with her big sister. It shows that no matter if it rains or shines, spending time with your big sister is always fun!

The illustrations are lovely. This would be a great book for boys and girls. I would recommend it for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for this ARC.

Two sisters find themselves getting to spend a day together. Little sister is so happy to be with big sister. The day starts off as hot. The ice cream melts faster than you can eat it. Suddenly it starts to rain causing one disappointment after another. They can’t even get to the library in time as it’s closing for the day. Big sister helps little sister watch the stars in the sky. One sees the love between sisters. The picture book has lovely illustrations on each page. The sentences are short — just a few words at a time. I enjoyed the book sweetness. I think that it is a great introduction for toddlers to books.

Cute story that my daughter enjoyed. It was interactive and engaging. Teaching that even though circumstances can change your plans you can still turn it around to have a good day.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC!

This read was a little . . . dreary.

Both the story and the illustrations were kind of drab - two sisters plan an outing that is almost spoiled by heavy rain. I did like the warm feeling that was generated by the relationship, but the older sister seems SO MUCH older than the younger, there's more of a mother/daughter vibe to the pair.

I found this cheerless and somewhat bewildering, but maybe children will enjoy the book more than I did.

An absolutely delightful book about two sisters who plan to spend the day together and then the plans go very awry and they have to adapt and make the most of it and find, that sometimes, even the most revised plans can be even better than what was originally planned.

Illustrated with bright and fun colors, this is such a fun story that littles will go to again and again as they learn that just because something is planned doesn't mean that it cannot be changed.

The author note at the end will encourage conversation with whomever is reading it and is a fun addition to the story [and can encourage the reader to insert themselves into the story].

Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nelly Buchet, Rachel Katstaller - Illustrator, and NorthSouth Books, INC for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, NorthSouth Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book focuses on the relationship between and older and younger sister, and a day in which their adventures did not go as planned - and yet it was a good day. The illustrations are wonderful, the story a bit spare - for example, the child I read this with kept looking for the hook with the "long coat" of the title - but overall a good book to read with younger children to talk about love and care toward one another.

THIS WAS SO SWEET. I love this sister story, but I also love how it teaches kids to understand that not every day goes to plan and you have to be flexible. No matter what, who you're with is the most important thing. LOVED IT.

This is a very enjoyable, well illustrated children's book. I love the themes presented and would be happy to incorporate it into my library practice. A beautiful tale.

The description that accompanied with illustrations were wonderful
It was supposbly a fun day. Little Sister and Big Sister had plans to have the best day. First, it was too hot, then it started raining. Hard! Eventhough the day was ruined. Because of Big Siser, Little Sister had a fun day.

The story teaches that the worst day can be a fun day.

Thank you Nelly Buchet author, Rachel Katsyaller illustrator,
Northsound books, and NetGalley for the opportunity for the privilege to read and the picture book.