The Youngest Sister, written by Suniyay Morena, illustrated by Mariana Chiesa, and translated by Elisa Amado. Greystone Kids, 2022. $22.95 ages 5 and up

"Picu took the dirt road, then turned onto 
the narrow path. She thought she might 
take a shortcut through the corn, but the
barking of faraway dogs made her give up 
on that idea."

This Argentinian picture book, recently translated by Elisa Amado and released by Greystone Kids, tells the story of a young Quechua girl who is one of five sisters living in a mountain village. A larger family lives and sleeps in a crowded hut. Picu is the 'youngest sister' and she is never asked to do jobs of any importance to the family. This particular morning finds her being sent to Dona Circiaca for a flavor bone. 

Picu knows the way and keeps to the main paths. She is distracted by mistolas, adding them to the sack she carries. Though warned to hurry with her task, she makes occasional stops for some fun. Finally arriving at Dona Ciriaca's home, she accepts the bone although it has little goodness left in it. Warned to hurry, she begins the trek home. As she goes, she is preoccupied with family memories and her surroundings. When hunger strikes, she is reminded that she must get the bone home for the evening meal. 

Upon her arrival at the hut, she realizes that everyone is waiting for her. Frightened that she will be in trouble, she hides in nearby bushes. After a long wait, she sees her grandmother coming. 

"The grandmother Estanislada was walking up with her cane, a staff made from the wood of the axe-breaker tree that she used to walk straighter, to poke the fire, to kill snakes, or to make donkeys trot. She was carrying goat cheese and a bag of corn."

Picu arrives at the same time as her grandmother. She has managed to add a special treat from her hiding place to the bag she carries. Once the meal is prepared and eaten, Picu is rewarded for her addition to their meal and her very good work, despite the lateness of her return. 

Using crayons which were then reworked digitally, Ms. Chiesa creates a textured setting in fitting bold colors that are infused with both light and shadow. Readers will have their curiosity aroused by this glimpse at life in a Quechua family and home.