I Love My Sister But Sometimes I Don't - book review

Title:          I Love My Sister But Sometimes I Don't
Author:      Maria Psanis
Illustrator:  Demetra Bakogiorgas

If you belong to a family and have a sibling, then this is a book that you can relate to.  The storyline compares and contrasts the relationship between two sisters, who couldn't be more different.
Bella is the perfect example of the classic first born child.  She loves to read, is extremely organized, well mannered and has discipline in her life....a parent's dream-child really.  Her younger sister...well, not so much.  She is a tom-boy supreme.  She is penned as girl who likes to get down and dirty, is highly athletic, disorganized to the max, and is definitely a "free spirit" when it comes to her choices in life.  The dichotomy between the two sometimes causes friction, rivalry and anxiety.

Bella decides one day to go ride her bike outside which is unusual for her as she would rather be cloistered inside with her nose in a book.  As she rides, the boy next door, Rex, crosses the street and starts to antagonize and bully her.  He goes so far as to actually push her off her bike and make her cry. That is when little sister steps in and says...no, no, no...not to my sister you don't, proving the old German proverb true - (Blut its dicker als Waser) - translation?  Blood is thicker than water.

The illustrations in the book are simple and effective drawings that emit a lot of emotion and enhance the message that the book conveys.  This would be the perfect jumping off point to discuss your own family dynamics and especially address the problem of bullying in our world. There are more in this series to come and I look forward to reading and reviewing them all.

About the author:

Maria Psanis was born 1954 in Athens Greece. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1966. She received her High School diploma from Hartford Public High School in 1974. She earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from the Hartford College for Women (1976), a Bachelors Degree in English Literature from University of Hartford (1979) and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Hartford (1995). Her internship was completed at Capitol Region Mental Health Clinic in Hartford in 1995. She is currently a clinical psychotherapist in private practice in Simsbury, Connecticut, specializing in trauma related issues. Her loves include photography, music, theater, and the ocean.

Her memberships include Connecticut Writers League, New England Writers Club, National Writers Club, The Academy of American Poets, Poetry Society of America, Photographic Society of America, American Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association.

Maria has authored ten collections of poetry: "The Free Inhibited Child" (1980), "Thoughts, Love and You" (1981), "Immortal Shadows" (1983), "Today's Tears, Tomorrow's Laughter" (1984), "Searching for You" (1989), "Breaking the Cycle" (1997), "Asomatos Erotas" (2000), "I Forgot To Ask God" (2001), "Agapi Ke Thanatos (Love & Death)" (2003), "a Child, a Dream and a Sling Shot" (2008), and "The Wildflower and the Honey Bee" (2011).

In addition to the titles listed her work also appears in various anthologies such as, "Poetry Press", "Penn Press", "World of Poetry", "American Poetry Association", "National Poetry Press", "International Poetry", and "AHEAD Infochange".

Book Review rating:  8  (Fantastic!)

Read on and read always!

Have an awesome day.