Loula's three brothers, the Rotten Pirate Triplets, don't want to play with her. "Brothers," mutters Loula, "the worst invention in the world." She decides what she really needs is a sister, one just like her. So naturally, she asks her parents to make one for her. Only, it's not that easy. Her father explains, "Making a sister is . . . well, it's like making a cake. You need the right ingredients." To make a sister, they say, you need a papa and a mama, butterflies in the stomach, a full moon, a candlelit supper, kisses and hugs and chocolate. Well, that's no problem. Loula can follow this recipe! And she sets out with her loyal sidekick, the chauffeur Gilbert, to do just that. This second picture book written and illustrated by Anne Villeneuve about the charming and witty Loula firmly establishes her as a classic character who will endure in the hearts of young children. Her slightly eccentric home life adds a delightful whimsy to Loula's escapades, even while the book deals with the very common experience of wishing for a sibling. The artwork, with several different scenes laid out across each spread, is full of energy and expression. Loula's own unique blend of imagination and verve provides an empowering, inspiring and positive message, particularly for girls, that you should take matters into your own hands to improve your life. There are great character education lessons here on taking the initiative and exhibiting resilience when seeking a solution. AGES: 4-7 AUTHOR: As far as she can recall, Anne Villeneuve has always held a crayon or a brush in her hands. Her passion for images and storytelling was the starting point for her career as author and illustrator, which she has been fulfilling for over 25 years. Anne has written and illustrated close to 40 books, created games for magazines, illustrated for newspapers and designed cake boxes for a bakery. She's also worked on "scenography" for Cirque du Soleil shows, murals for soft drinks and posters for the Dairy Farmers of Canada. Over the years, her work has earned her many distinguished recognitions, such as the Governor General's Literary Award and the Quebec/Wallonie-Bruxelles Literary Award in 2000, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award in 2005 and 2009, and the Mr. Christie's Book Award in 1998. She's met with hundreds of kids across Canada, with whom she's shared her passion for literature and art. She now teaches watercolour and drawing at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The artists she looks up to are Matisse, Klee, Riopelle and Basquiat.