That’s My Sweater! by Jessika von Innerebner

Abstract

Reviewed by: That’s My Sweater! by Jessika von Innerebner Natalie Berglind Von Innerebner, Jessika That’s My Sweater!; written and illus. by Jessika von Innerebner. Dial, 2022 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593461945 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593461952 $10.99 Reviewed from digital copies R 3-6 yrs It was inevitable that Olivia would outgrow her favorite sweater, but she’s nonetheless horrified when she sees it on her baby brother. She’s struck with a severe bout of jealousy and sets out to do what any rational jealous person would do: soil the sweater and then steal it from the washing machine before it can be returned to her little brother. Then, however, she sees a picture in the hallway of her older brother wearing the same sweater when he was younger. Big bro assures her that he went through a similar situation, but now he has a hoodie with a smiling banana on a skateboard he likes better. . . until Mom gifts it to Olivia, of course, starting the cycle over. This picture book is a playful take on sibling jealousy and the metaphorical and literal growing pains that come from needing to let go of things that have outgrown their use, particularly if they are of better use to someone else. von Innerebner’s cheerful digital art utilizes a palette of cool teals that emphasizes the reds of the sweater and the siblings’ hair on every page, with some backgrounds turning red to efficiently portray Olivia’s rage. Even kids who aren’t strong readers [End Page 102] will be able to tell Olivia’s feeling from her expressiveness, whether she’s pouting in jealousy or subtly gloating to her older brother. Big siblings having a hard time with a hand-me-down-sweater-esque struggle may benefit from Olivia’s sweater journey. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois