Adorable and cutely illustrated tale of two little Sisters Stella 7 years old and Marigold 4 years old who adore each other and have many real and imaginative. adventures. together. Oh, and I love that Marigold thinks that turtles are rocks. And they have a friend named Ellie R. Thank you to Netgalley, Chronicle Books and Author Annie Barrows for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

STELLA & MARIGOLD by Annie Barrows invites readers into the imaginative world of a pair of sisters. Everyday situations like going to school and visiting the zoo become fanciful adventures. The relationship between the two sisters, foretold when at their introduction Stella promises Marigold she’ll tell her everything she knows, shines through in the stories. I think my favorite was The Sick Blanket, probably because I remember the “sick blanket” in my own home when I was growing up. With short chapters and Sophie Blackall’s whimsical color illustrations, this will be an engaging read for readers reaching for their first chapter books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.

There's a reason Ivy & Bean are beloved and its the same reason Stella & Marigold will be: Annie Barrows. No one does authentic kids voices (without sounding like a stereotype of a kid) like Annie Barrows. Funny, sweet, big feelings, kindness, and a year-round costume wearing kid round out this relatable but never formulaic, early reader. Vibrant, lovely, loving.

As the mom of two girls, I am a sucker for sister books -- especially when the older sister has blonde hair and the little sister has brown hair. Annie Barrows has done such a great job creating two realistic characters with BIG imaginations (and the world around them). These stories are hilarious and the whimsical illustrations add such an element of fun to the book. Even though my kids are big now, they enjoyed reminiscing about their own shenanigans and finding parts of themselves in Stella and Marigold.

Cute new series. This book seemed less carefree and fun than Ivy and Bean but it may be because they were just introducing the characters. I loved the big and little sister thing. Reminded me of Romana and Beezus.

Such a cute story about sisters. I think my students who love the Ivy & Bean stories will also like these chapter books. The pictures are very engaging and adorable.

My family enjoys the antics of Ivy and Bean, so we were very happy to preview the debut of the author's newest series, Stella & Marigold. A beginner chapter book about two sisters, the characters were fun and engaging. The book also has shorter chapters and illustrations throughout, perfect for younger readers. However, this story felt pretty disjointed to me. Besides that, I recommend this series for a fun read aloud that younger kids are bound to enjoy.

Thank you to Chronicle Books for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own.

What an absolutely delightful read! The short stories are the perfect length and the subject matter and voice are so captivating and appropriate. It truly feels like we are seeing the world through a childlike lens. I love the relationship between the two sisters. This is a book (and hopefully a series) that is sure to become an instant classic! When my 7 and 9 year old saw me reading this advance reader's copy, they were quick to offer "help" give their opinion (they LOVED it!).

What a lovely book about 2 sisters that have wonderful names. The cover caught my eye. Then when I read the information about the author, I realized I have read some of her books before. This one like the others did not disappoint. The illustrations were wonderful and so was the story. The little girls have great adventures where each chapter could almost be its own story. The imaginations of the girls is wonderful. Definitely a book I will recommend to teachers and parents.

While this wasn't my favorite early chapter book, I definitely think it will find a readership in early readers. My favorite thing about the story is how Stella and Marigold show by example how to utilize your imagination to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. The fact that they are sisters and not simply friends adds a depth that I can respect and recommend to others. The illustrations, as I've come to expect from Sophie Blackall, were nothing short of delightful!

3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Stella and Marigold are better than friends, they're sisters. And no matter what life hands you, whether it's getting lost at the zoo, a sick day, or your best friend making a new friend, your sister always has your back. Stella and Marigold are endearing characters who face real-kid situations with real-kid points of view. Barrows' voice is lovely and captures the wonder and imagination with which these two girls see the world.

As a girl mom of two I could not have been more excited to get an ARC of Stella & Marigold. My oldest loves loves lovessssss Ivy+Bean so when I saw this was coming out, I squealed lol!

This book is literally adorable. I love the cover; I love the illustrations. I love everything about it!!! They are the cutest duo!!! I will be preordering the physical copy for our bookshelf! Thank you for the advance copy!

Wonderfully delightful book about the joy of having a sister to do all kinds of fun things with. Says geared for middle school but think could be read by advanced readers as low as second grade mainly because there are delightful illustrations woven throughout. A good read a loud for younger ones as well.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. I really wanted to like this one. I loved the first story, but my daughter and I read it together, and neither of us loved the book as a whole. I couldn't decide what age I would recommend this too, as the quantity of text seemed to target an audience much older than the full color illustrations.. I didn't love some of the behavior in the stories, and my daughter was bored. Hoping book two finds its way a little more.

A sweet chapter book about two sisters. I think this would make a good read-a-long, or young classroom book. I liked the authentic kid voices and situations, and I loved the illustrations.

Stella & Marigold is a sweet children’s chapter book about two sisters, written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. This is my first book by this author, but the cover and title really stood out to me, and I am glad that I read it! This book tells stories of the different adventures these sisters have, and how they help each other. It kind of reminded me of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary,
I enjoyed the different adventures these sisters had, and the ways they cared for each other. I think this would be a great book for sisters their ages to read together. Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, illustrator, and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My first grade students loved this book because the two sisters had a lot of fun together and do a lot of fun things. Stella and Marigold are brave, helpful, and kind sisters; they are great role models for sibling relationships. They liked that it was realistic fiction but had some imaginary parts too through the creative minds of the sisters. The illustrations were excellent and added to the storyline. Some of the chapters ended a little abruptly and my students wanted more to the stories.

They also thought it was hilarious that the plumber's name was Ellis because that is my (their teacher) daughter's name. They were disappointed when it was over; I am hopeful that this becomes a longer series like the author and illustrator have done with Ivy & Bean.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet chapter book that should appeal to kids in early elementary school. It's realistic fiction centering on two sisters and their daily adventures. I love that it is heavily illustrated and I think that will help its appeal even more. I plan to buy the series for my elementary library.

A chapter book about two sisters and their sweet friendship, Stella and Marigold is a new offering from the Ivy and Bean team. In Quick chapters about each sister, this story boasts large vocabulary for a beginning reader and trademark Blackall illustrations of rounded-faced and cheeky children. Each vignette is simple and tells a story only a child would find important and relevant, and it feels like the book is written with a child’s perspective in mind. It is sweet and quirky and I love that Marigold is a bit of a pill sometimes, but something about the dialogue and storytelling feels distant. I feel like, because of who this book is written and illustrated by, I’m almost required to like it when in reality, it left me feeling rather meh. I think this book will do well, I think teachers and librarians will like it and recommend it, but something tells me it won’t have the success of Ivy and Bean. I could be absolutely wrong! I hope children embrace it the way the did Ivy and Bean, as it would be a lovely bridge book between early readers and novels or just to be read to by family members in short installments.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I received a free copy of, Stella & Marigold, by Annie Barrows, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Stella & Marigold are close as to little sisters can be, they have the most amazing adventures in real time and their imagination. A really good read, I loved the illustrations.