There are so many things to do when it rains! Hooray! It's Saturday. But wait--it's raining. What are two sisters to do? Older sibling Matilda is absolutely full of ideas and ready to lead younger Clemmie on a grand adventure. What will they do first? It all begins with rain boots and entails a very special red balloon, a wink to the classic book and film. Celebrated Argentine cartoonist Liniers offers a warm visual welcome to early readers in this graphic novel; lively watercolors in comic format provide plenty of memorable images and details to examine and savor. The gentle humor and mild suspense will quickly draw readers in, while brief sentences and appropriately challenging vocabulary, flawlessly interwoven with pictures that provide visual cues, leave room for readers to decipher, consider and comprehend. Natural repetition allows for practice. Overall, this satisfying tale captures the camaraderie of two sisters and shows how the oldest doesn't always have the answers. Now, what will the girls do on Sunday? Achoo! Uh-oh…. An excellent example of how well comics can work for early readers, this warm and accessible story is sure to be a favorite. (Early reader. 4-7)

In its continuing effort to expand the boundaries of American comics, TOON Books brings Argentine cartoonist Liniers into its stable of accomplished creators. Liniers draws on the gentle humor of his experimental Spanish-language strip Macanudo in this story of an older sister initiating her younger sister into the joys of a rainy Saturday. Little Clemmie can only express herself by repeating older Matilda's words, but it is clear that she's dubious about charging into the pouring rain and running beneath thundering clouds. Finally lured out and approaching a rainbow, Clemmie loses her beloved red balloon, thanks to Matilda's enthusiasm, but all is well by the end in a conclusion that seems plucked out of parental fantasy. Liniers tells a quiet story that taps into moments of childhood life in a way that few comics manage (or bother to try), augmented by a color palette that creates a deep sense of mood, warm line work, and characters visually reminiscent of Bill Keane's classic Family Circus. An uncommonly family-friendly tale, great for parents to share with their kids.

There are so many things to do when it rains! Hooray! It's Saturday. But wait--it's raining. What are two sisters to do? Older sibling Matilda is absolutely full of ideas and ready to lead younger Clemmie on a grand adventure. What will they do first? It all begins with rain boots and entails a very special red balloon, a wink to the classic book and film. Celebrated Argentine cartoonist Liniers offers a warm visual welcome to early readers in this graphic novel; lively watercolors in comic format provide plenty of memorable images and details to examine and savor. The gentle humor and mild suspense will quickly draw readers in, while brief sentences and appropriately challenging vocabulary, flawlessly interwoven with pictures that provide visual cues, leave room for readers to decipher, consider and comprehend. Natural repetition allows for practice. Overall, this satisfying tale captures the camaraderie of two sisters and shows how the oldest doesn't always have the answers. Now, what will the girls do on Sunday? Achoo! Uh-oh…. An excellent example of how well comics can work for early readers, this warm and accessible story is sure to be a favorite. (Early reader. 4-7)

Argentinean cartoonist Liniers makes his U.S. debut with a story that presents an up-close view of a tender sororal friendship. For optimistic and strong-willed Matilda, nothing beats a Saturday. -This is how you wake up on a Saturday,- she tells her younger sister, Clemmie, who peeks at Matilda from between the bars of her crib. -Hoooraayy! Hooooraaay! For all day today is Saaaaturdaaaay!- (-Ta-day!- cheers Clemmie, just trying to keep up.) It-s pouring rain on this particular Saturday, but that doesn-t deter Matilda; she coaxes Clemmie outdoors and shows her the delights of running through a downpour and jumping in puddles. When a rainbow appears, Matilda decides to offer it a gift-and what better gift than that red balloon her sister treasures? Liniers-s intimate ink-and-watercolor