I bought this book but it is not one of my favorite and not one that I need to keep in my collection. I was just bored with it and didn't really find any point to the story.

Older sister Olivia shares stories about her incredibly messy younger sister Sophie. The tales of Sophie's misadventures are humorous, and tempered by the obvious fondness between the practically perfect Olivia and impetuous Sophie. The pictures are wonderfully drawn in black and white, with Sophie painted in vivid color. Watch for a mortified Olivia in the background of most pictures. Sophie tries to emulate her older sister, but her own individual style always comes through. And while Olivia lists her sister's faults, she does not neglect to mention her strengths and virtues as well.

Got this book just because it was a Viorst and because I love her alexander books. The first time I did read it before reading it to my daughter I was not sure how my daughter would react to the book. She has not siblings as yet and can't really categorize her into either category ( neat or messy - she is a little of both)
but loved the way sophie makes a mess of every thing and how the older sister is as hoity-toity as older sisters get.

but would have loved it more if there was more of sophie's good qualities described that way there would be a greater balance to sophie's character.

We just love the cheerful and happy illustrations that make this a really meaningful Judith Viorst book. Here, the beautiful pictures' exuberant humor, joy, and color add another dimension, almost another story, to a tale of how different 2 sisters and a brother can be. They really do embody "the genuine spirit of animation, the breathing to life, the swing into action," that Maurice Sendak says he considers "an essential quality in pictures for children's books" in "Caldecott & Co.," his book of essays on books and pictures. In fact, the pictures are so wonderful that you should look at the charming, wordless books Robin Preiss Glasser, the illustrator of "Super-Completely," has made with her sister: "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum" and "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The National Gallery."

Sophie is super-completely and totally the messiest girl that ever lived! That assessment, by Olivia, her perfectly neat big sister, just about says it all. And no matter where she is or what she's doing, be it school or parties, the beach, the farm, the circus or even the bathtub, she's a whirlwind of activity and impending disasters. But, as Olivia also tells us, she's kind and very nice, smart, funny and great at puzzles and dancing. She's one of a kind and her family loves her, just for being herself. Judith Viorst really captures the essence of an ever inquistive and busy youngster with places to go, people to see and things to do. Her wonderful hip text, told exasperatingly by older sister and neatnik, Olivia is only outdone by Robin Preiss Glasser's busy and detailed pen and ink line drawings with only Sophie and her mess highlighted in bright colors. Together, they've authored a picture book that will amuse and delight everyone in the family. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest is a winner!