Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall Are Back At It…With STELLA & MARIGOLD!

One of the great highlights of my summer, besides attending a fantastic writing retreat in the Green Mountains of Vermont, was receiving an advanced reader copy of Stella & Marigold from Chronicle Books (thank you from the bottom of my book-loving heart, Chronicle). It’s the first book in a brand-new early reader series for children 6-9 years old, by the magical author-illustrator duo Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. As a huge Ivy + Bean fan (more on that in a minute), I’ll admit that I tore into this book faster than you could offer me gelato on a hot afternoon. My only regret is waiting this long to share it with you! Yes, I know, it’s now January and many of us are drinking hot beverages just so we don’t freeze like gelato. But please understand that this book series is beautiful and timeless—and now that it’s here, I think it’s going to be around for a long time.

For those who might not be familiar with these two talented women, Barrows and Blackall have each created multitudes of award-winning books throughout their long-spanning careers. Barrows’ creative wheelhouse has been writing early reader series, as well as novels for both children and adults. Blackall is a two-time Caldecott medalist who has authored and illustrated dozens of children’s books over the course of her illustrious (pun intended) career.

When they first came together roughly twenty years ago to write Ivy + Bean, did they know that they were creating what would become a hugely successful twelve-book early reader series that would sell millions of copies worldwide and be translated into multiple languages? That it would go on to become a trilogy of Netflix movies and become a mainstay in children’s literature, often compared with the likes of Junie B. Jones and Ramona Quimby?? I’m not so sure, but what I do know is they have teamed up again and brought that same magic BACK with them. Only it’s not the same…

Where Ivy + Bean offers universal pearls of wisdom, insight, and whimsy about best friends who differ but complement each other, Stella & Marigold shows this kind of bond between sisters. In their rather fascinating conversation this past fall with Publishers Weekly, which I invite you to check out, Barrows describes seven-year-old Stella as “cool and serene and [seeing] things from above”, while her four-year-old sister Marigold is “hot and round and centered in the ground.” I think those of us who grew up with siblings and/or have children in our lives who are siblings can attest to this sort of yin and yang dynamic that can maintain harmony at times and wreak conflict at others. It’s sibling dynamics at its finest.

Both Barrows and Blackall were surprised to find themselves channeling their own long-forgotten childhood experiences as they were creating. I know I did this too, as I was reading along! It’s hard not to, as the book has delightful pretend play scenes and dialogue between the girls. The kind that happens when young kids are left to their own devices and agency.

But getting back to why I think this series has undeniable promise and potential…well, it’s more of a feeling I get when reading it, rather than any concrete, tangible reasons. But here’s my best attempt to come up with some. Hopefully these are teasers, rather than spoilers:

Stella and Marigold are the sharers and keepers of important secrets about the world. Kids understand the world as it really is, but adults don’t always. It’s a good thing Marigold has her older sis, Stella, to teach her what she needs to know—things adults won’t talk about. That they live in the lucky half of their duplex house: the bottom half. Lucky, because in only six steps they can touch a leaf outside. It takes Ms. Raimondi forty-two steps from the upstairs unit…they counted! And when their neighbor Janai walks by, they can run out in time to see her amazing boots (Janai has amazing boots).

But what may be the biggest secret of all is that one room in every old house has magical powers—for just four minutes each night. In their house, it’s the bathroom. What would Marigold do without an older sister like Stella to tell her these important things??

There’s a sick blanket that makes everything better. You might have had or still have one of these (maybe you’re even wrapped up in it as we speak). Mine was hand-crocheted by a great-aunt on my mother’s side and had a comforting old yarn smell and feel to it, with lots of little holes I could poke my fingers through.

Stella and Marigold’s sick blanket is soft, poofy, and white, with swirls of blue stars. It belonged to their mother in college and has a cough syrup stain on it. Perfect for Stella when she’s sweaty and her throat hurts—but even more perfect for when Marigold tells her she’s even sicker and crawls in with her. Even though Mommy said to leave Stella alone.

Ellis the plumber and Chris the gardener. Marigold loves watching Ellis the plumber squeeze under their bathroom sink and take the pipes apart, revealing disgusting gunk inside, and even a purple sparkly hair clip that somehow got in there. If Marigold knows how, she’s not saying…she’s busy drawing Ellis, with his big ‘ELLIS’ arm tattoo!

But at preschool, she loves sitting on the bench and watching Chris the gardener. It’s what she was doing the day she met the Vice President, who was on her way to give a medal to someone. You’ll have to read the book to find out more about that!

“Good things happen to brave children.” This might well be the mantra of Stella & Marigold, and it’s a parting line of sorts from our new friend Stella. Whether it’s navigating a dark and scary Meerkat Mound at the zoo, taking a rocket ship to Japan to see snow monkeys (it’s faster than a plane), winning Stella’s best friend back at school, or surviving as two sisters in the “olden days”, with only carrots and potatoes to make pretend soup with, these two are never at a loss for ideas or support for one another. They wouldn’t have it any other way, and frankly neither would I.

Stella & Marigold is a wonderful choice for children who can read independently, but also an excellent read-aloud book for those who can’t yet, or have younger siblings (like Marigold). And if you need further convincing:

“In the vein of Ramona Quimby.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
“Stella and Marigold are a force to be reckoned with.” —The Horn Book

“Readers will long for a sibling like Marigold or Stella.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Buoyed by an innate sense of fun. . . This early chapter book… [is] equally enjoyable for reading aloud in homes and classrooms.” —Booklist, starred review

STELLA & MARIGOLD

by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1797219707

Ages 6-9

Released October 2024

I received STELLA & MARIGOLD for free from Chronicle Books in exchange for a review.

For more information on Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall, and their many amazing books, please visit Annie and Sophie’s websites.