Today, it is my stop on the blog tour for Chooch Helped, brought to you by Hear Our Voices and I am excited to suggest great readalikes after you read this loveable and uplifting picture book by Andrea L. Rodgers!
Chooch Helped is a beautiful picture book that movingly shows the importance of a sibling relationship and highlights the importance of an older/younger sibling relationship. Sissy gets annoyed by Chooch’s “helpfulness”, but she comes to realize that it is up to her to guide Chooch in making sure that he will always have a place in the family. This is a beautifully illustrated book for younger readers who are about to become an older sibling. I also want to highlight the Indigenous representation by intertwining a heartfelt story and Cherokee family traditions (if you want to learn how to make a pinch pot, instructions are provided in the back!)
After reading Chooch Helped, you will probably be looking for more readalikes that match the message, storytelling and representation of this picture book. Here are some perfect readalikes that are excellent companions and books you won’t be disappointed in.
Enjoy!
My Great Big Native Family by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Bridget George
When Russell gets a part in the school play, he lights up like a shining star–and he can’t wait to tell his big, boisterous Native family the exciting news. But catching their attention when they all get together feels impossible; no matter where they go, they seem to be too noisy, too many, and just too much!
Russell decides to keep his big debut to himself and fly solo for once…but being alone may not be the answer. After all, there’s no such thing as too much love, and when he needs them most, his great big family knows how to be just enough. (Credit: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Not Far from Here by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez and illustrated Devon Holzwarth
We worked and worked
juntos
para realizar el sueño
Nuestra familia . . .
nos superamos
as individuals
and
together
Mamá tells her children a story that began when their papá was a niño, not far from here. Their abuelitas told stories of their antepasados, and their abuelo, a blacksmith, taught their papá how to make art from earth and fire. When abuelo died, papá took all those lessons to heart and crossed la frontera to el norte to follow his sueños. There, he worked and overcame barriers, known to many immigrants alike, to forge his own obra maestra: a familia and a future in which anything is possible. Debut author Nydia Armendia-Sánchez relays a story of immigration, creativity, and comunidad through a translanguage text that moves naturally from English to español and back in a manner that will be familiar to many second and third generations of Latine families–and evocative to immigrant families of any heritage. Brilliantly brought to life by Devon Holzwarth’s rich, imaginative illustrations, this warm abrazo of a book features a glossary of Spanish words. (Credit: Candlewick Press)
The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
The Festival of Lights is nearly here! Join Ariana and her family during their spectacular celebration of Diwali.
Ariana can’t wait to participate in all of her favorite holiday traditions: making delicious sweets, lighting diyas around the house, and the rangoli competition! As long as her younger brother, Rafi, doesn’t ruin everything with his clumsiness, this could be the best Diwali ever.
With vibrant imagery, joyous text, and an important lesson about celebrating the people you love for who they are (especially silly younger brothers!), this lovely picture book is perfect for a family read aloud. (Credit: Scholastic Press)
Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra and illustrated by Michaela Dias-Hayes
Amrita and Kiki are best friends and sunflower sisters. Amrita’s older sister is getting married, but when the elder relatives arrive, they start dispensing some old-fashioned and dubious advice. Luckily, Amrita’s mother has a lesson or two to teach about that! With the support and empowerment of their moms, the sunflower sisters are two strong, confident girls–one South Asian the other Nigerian–finding joy in their own skin. (Credit: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky)
Is This Love?: A Family Story Based on the Song by Bob Marley adapted by Cedella Marley and illustrated by Alea Marley
Is this love?
Is this love that I’m feeling?
Bob Marley’s music has captured the hearts and souls of families around the world. This sweet adaptation of one of his best-loved songs is a heartwarming tale of an older child’s love for a younger sibling.
From the moment she sees her baby sister, big sister knows just what she’s going to do: love her and treat her right, every day and every night. Playing together, watching over her, standing by her through thick and thin . . . big sister does it all because, yes, this is love that she’s feeling.
Adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s eldest child, and exuberantly illustrated by Alea Marley, Is This Love? is a joyful ode to the unshakeable love shared by all those who call one another family. (Credit: Chronicle Books)
Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds brings his signature touch of love and kindness to this special, timely picture book, as families now, more than ever, are rediscovering and reevaluating what means the most: time together with one another.
Violet longs for the time when her family was connected: before life, distractions, and technology pulled them all away from each other. They used to gather at the table, with food and love, to make memories, share their lives, and revel in time spent together. But now her family has been drifting apart, and with nobody to gather around it, the table grows smaller and smaller.
Can Violet remind her family of the warmth of time spent together, and gather around the table once more? (Credit: Orchard House)
Fishing with Grandma by Susan Avingaq & Maren Vsetula and illustrated by Charlene Chua
Adventure begins when Grandma takes her two grandchildren out for a trip to the lake. After showing the kids how to prepare for a fishing trip, Grandma and the kids enjoy a day of jigging in the ice for fish. Grandma shows them everything they need to know to complete a successful fishing trip, from what clothes to wear, to how to drill and clear holes in the ice, to how to make a traditional Inuit jigging rod. By the end of the day, the kids have a yummy meal of Arctic char, and they have also learned everything they need to know to go out on the lake on their own. (Credit: Inhabit Media)
Pivik Learns from Takannaaluk by Paninnguaq Lind Jensen and illustrated by Hannah Barrett
In this story from West Greenland, one young girl tries to teach her mischievous little sister a lesson by telling her the Inuit traditional story of Takannaaluk.
Pivik is the laziest little sister! She is always complaining about helping Anaana and stealing the best food for herself. Fed up, her big sister, Ukaleq, seizes the chance to teach Pivik a lesson. Ukaleq tells Pivik the story of how Takannaaluk became the Mother of Sea Mammals. Ukaleq warns Pivik not to anger Takannaaluk by being greedy, or their community will starve. Pivik is so scared she can’t sleep! Will Ukaleq’s lesson finally teach Pivik to put others before herself? (Credit: Arvaaq Press)
About The Featured Book
Sissy’s younger brother, Chooch, isn’t a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does — even if he’s messing something up! Which is basically all the time! — their parents say he’s just “helping.” Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything!
When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When Oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps . . .”Hesdi!” Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold.
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