To the Stars and Beyond: My Virtual Bookshelf

Do Like Kyla

Author: Angela Johnson

Illustrator: James E. Ransome

Published: In 1993 by Scholastic

ISBN: 978-0531070406

Synopsis:

Do Like Kyla is a story about sibling admiration. The narrator loves her older sister Kyla, in fact she wants to be just like her. Like a little bird picking at a trail of breadcrumbs, the narrator eagerly follows her sister, from the time they wake up to the moment before they go to sleep, Kyla is everything to the narrator. What's particularly interesting about this is book, is the fact that Kyla isn't bothered by her little sister's constant copying, and echoing shadow. She never is short or gets upset at her little sister, she simply lets her follow, and sometimes even encourages her sister's mimicry. In this way, it sets a good example for older sibling, because it models what it's like to have a patient and accepting relationship with your younger siblings.

My Reaction:

Although this story is supposed to be about a sibling pair it's really difficult to actually see any bond between the two of them. The fact that Kyla never looses her temper or says something unpleasant to the narrator, despite her incessant copying, suggests that the two siblings must have a pretty strong bond. Most normal older siblings would have had enough of their mockingbird sister, but not Kyla; at least not the Kyla expressed in the narration. The illustrations, however, tell as different story. The fact that Kyla is more often in the foreground of the illustrations than her little sister, creates a kind of standoffish vibe. It makes it feel as if the narrator maybe an unwelcome shadow; one that always tries to stay one step behind her older sister. Furthermore, as a review in science library states: both Kyla's and the narrators' expression are difficult to read --sometimes they seem downright annoyed or upset. Therefore, through the narration a very different view of the relationship begins to form. Unfortunately, I don't think it's a particularly positive modification, because it contradicts the overall caring tone of the story.

I think I would have preferred that the story had illustration depicting Kyla and her sister actually interacting. I feel this would have better matched the book's tone, because there needs to be interaction in order for a meaningful relationship to form. As it is, the book gives the impression that the adoration the narrator feels toward Kyla is unbalanced and one sided; Kyla is not really interested in entertaining her sister. Overall, she appears a bit indifferent. This indifference makes the book a less useful tool for modeling healthy and positive siblings relationships. Although, the narration has the potential, the illustrations fail to embody this theme.