This particular collection is oversize - would be too heavy for most beginning readers to hold and read by themselves. However, it would make a perfect lap-sit book (for ages 3-6 I think) - a parent or auntie and one or two children could certainly enjoy giggling over it.

What I really liked is that the little sister wasn't usually all that naughty. Most of the time she was simply inquisitive and impulsive. And so she's readily forgiven, and even has plenty of friends. Authentic & loving.

I do wish sometimes we'd seen the good big sister get rewarded, or at least appreciated, for being so much easier to care for. Knowing that these stories are memories helps - otherwise I'd be fretting that the big sister was *too* docile and pliant.

Not too British nor too old-fashioned. The conversational style makes it seem a bit precious/ twee, but only a bit. Still a fun & insightful read.

I had to look up 'sultanas' because a sentence said 'currants and sultanas and raisins' and I always thought the latter two synonymous. Turns out all three are dried grapes. http://britishfood.about.com/od/glossary/g/driedfruit.htm ( )