Maple and Willow do everything together, but when it is time to start big girl school Willow starts to feel left out. With Maple in school, Willow comes up with an idea to have something of her own as well. In the need both girls realize they are missing each other the same and find a way to stay connected in this time of change. The message of the story is that even when apart friends and siblings can still find ways to feel connected and together. This is a good book to read when big changes are happening and could be good for feelings of jealous or changes in siblings or friendships. The illustrations and story are touching and funny and flow well together. It is a very good book. ( )

This is a book about imagery friends and it is also about Maple and Willow. Maple and Willow are both sisters but Maple is getting older and starting school. Willow doesn't like that and comes up with her own friend while she is at school. He new friend is named Pip. Pip has fun with Willow and teaches her new things. After Maple hears all the fun things Willow does with Pip, Maple begins to miss being home with Willow. Willow then lets Pip go to school with Maple every day for the rest of the year. Pip is a tiny acorn. This is a good book and can teach children about friendship. ( )

Such a timely book as O just started school and little H is home without her. Such a cute story. ( )

Some series never reach the heights of the first book, or they start out weakly and improve as they go along. But Maple and Willow's stories keep the same simple, high quality storytelling and art in every new addition. I first fell in love with this series when Maple was a little girl, waiting for a new sister and a new tree to join her in Maple. Maple & Willow Together features the sisters learning to get along and, despite occasional squabbles, having a close friendship.

But now Maple is growing up and going to school and the sisters have to renegotiate their relationship. Willow is lonely and jealous of Maple's new adventures and Maple seems to have forgotten the little sister she left behind. Can Willow make everything better again?

Nichols' simple prose and delicate illustrations bring to life the sisters who are growing up and changing, but are still so much alike. The glorious fall colors are echoed in the rainbow hues of Willow's imaginative adventures. The spreads of Maple and Willow interacting are spot illustrations on a white background while Willow's adventures with her new friend Pip explode into full-page color. Subtle details, like the endpages changing from green to orange, catch the eye and make this one to reread again and again.

Verdict: Parents will be sniffing at the bittersweet story of two sisters growing up and even children who don't have siblings will understand what it's like to struggle with changing as you grow older. Another pitch-perfect story from Lori Nichols about two sweet sisters. Highly Recommended.

ISBN: 9780399167539; Published 2015 by Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library