Rachel Parker

Ann Martin

ISBN 10: 082340935X ISBN 13: 9780823409358

Publisher: Holiday House, 1992

Synopsis

Five-year-old Olivia, a kindergartener who has a cat named Rosie, sets out to make friends with her show-off new neighbor, Rachel Parker.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Five-year-old Olivia is excited to learn that the family moving in next door includes a girl who is just her age. But when Rachel Elizabeth joins Olivia's kindergarten class, Olivia is no longer the only one who can read and write. Not only that, but the newcomer has two first names, a grandfather who gives out candy, an adorable baby sister and her very own puppet theater. The competitiveness between the girls makes for some amusing exchanges: when Rachel announces that she is writing a story, Olivia counters with the fact that she is writing a book, which Rachel tops by saying that she wrote a book the previous year, "when I was four." A showdown at the playground leads to the inevitable resolution of the strife, and the two youngsters end up fast friends. Olivia's first-person narrative, chatty and comic, imparts a breath of fresh air to a common situation. (Commendably, no point is made of the fact that Olivia is African American while her eventual pal is white.) Filled with entertaining touches, Poydar's true-to-life illustrations scattered throughout the text adroitly capture the girls' changeable emotions. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Olivia is five years old and proud to be in kindergarten. She gets excited when a girl her age moves in next door, but her joy soon turns to jealousy when she finds that Rachel Elizabeth Parker reads as well as she does, can swing as high as she can, and has a baby sister and a puppet theater. They each decide that the other is a ``show-off'' and part company until their teacher helps them discover that their abilities complement one another. Poydar's illustrations are realistic and full of personality, especially the characters' eyes, which are captivating. Olivia is African-American and Rachel is white, but first and foremost they are strong-willed, precocious kindergarteners. Young children will easily recognize either themselves or a classmate in this lively pair. It is hoped they will also learn from the gentle lesson. This is a book that's sure to find a wide readership. --Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 082340935X
• ISBN 13: 9780823409358
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Nancy Poydar