Thank you! For picture books, we also really like "Beatrice Likes the Dark." And I think the sibling relationships are an undersung part of the Dory Fantasmagory books, which I learned about here :)
Any recommendations for books about not having siblings? My almost-4yo only child has recently become obsessed with having a baby sister. My husband and I have decided we are one and done. But it's breaking my heart a bit, and hard to explain our reasonings to our kiddo (fertility issues, our ages, money, etc.). Would love a book to help discuss the topic in an age-appropriate way.
Hi Carly -- I can't think of any books that specifically address *why* parents might choose not to have more than one child, but there are plenty of titles out there that feature only children. You might want to check out What’s So Bad About Being an Only Child? by Cari Best and One of a Kind by Ariel S. Winter, both of which come close to what you are looking for, I think -- though YMMV, of course.
Oh I love all of these books! And I love that you called out Little Women. I always think of it first and foremost as a Great American Classic but, really, its a book about sisters and family. How was Medieval Times?!
Medieval Times was one of the weirder experiences of my life AND I screamed myself hoarse. My 9yo kept turning to me and saying, "This is the best thing I've ever seen!" 100% recommend.
I found it so interesting that you mentioned you gravitate toward books that emphasize the positives of having siblings/showcase positive, affirming sibling relationships! I have been on the hunt for comp titles for a middle grade novel I'm working on that features sisters who have a pretty up and down relationship (mostly the usual sibling rivalry, but obviously it feels major to my main character/the little sister) and I've been having such a hard time finding recent books that have rivalry instead of just "my sister is my best friend" kind of stuff. I have an only child, but if I had multiple kids I'm sure I'd feel the same as you and not want to give her books that might possibly encourage sibling rivalry; at the same time, as the youngest of three sisters, I LOVED books that showed it (I'm thinking about Charles in Judy Blume's "Here's to You Rachel Robinson" or Jerry Spinelli's "Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush"--both titles I read over and over again).
Interesting! I can definitely understand the relief of having both types of books available, especially as readers get older and can understand that, say, a new baby isn’t the end of the world — but I also feel that when kids are little, it helps to reinforce positive feelings, because the more complex and nuanced parts of that relationship come soon enough.
I’d love to hear what you discover as you explore comp titles!
It was an exhibit about the Lewis and Clark expedition and the raccoon was a very small aside in a larger discussion of the animals that the Corps of Discovery encountered, it was just the piece that stood out to me the most.
What a fun topic! Blythe received a copy of Sisters (Raina Telgemeir) when Claire was born and really enjoyed it even though she was quite young for it. I always think of A Baby Sister for Francis and Angelina's Baby Sister (the illustrations in the Angelina books are wonderful).
Catching up on my Substacks but I had to comment because I’ve never thought about the fact that our siblings are with us the longest. I had to sit with that and I’m very grateful for the relationship I have with my brothers.
Oh! And our neighborhood used to have an albino squirrel but I haven’t seen it in a while. We had fun keeping an eye out for him.
Nope, real and actual sisters!
Would love your new sibling recs too 🤗
I second this!! You recommended Babies Can’t Eat Kimchi once and that’s been a big hit over here 👍🏻
We also liked You Were the First and our daughter loved Waiting for Baby.
This may be my 4am pregnancy hormones but just reading the title "You were the first" is making me tear up. Thank you for the recs!
Not entirely hormones — it’s moving.
I love love Kevin Henkes's "Julius, the Baby of the World" if your older is 3 or up.
Noted! I will put this down for a future mini issue. Thank you!
Ooh yaaay!! Great list. I grew up as the oldest of 8, so even from a writing standpoint I often find myself drawn to sibling stories.
Thank you! For picture books, we also really like "Beatrice Likes the Dark." And I think the sibling relationships are an undersung part of the Dory Fantasmagory books, which I learned about here :)
True! Though I can't say that Dory's siblings always like her all that much...
I second BEATRICE! And the Tubtown scene in Dory when Violet doesn’t leave after her friends call. That’s the stuff siblings are made of!
Any recommendations for books about not having siblings? My almost-4yo only child has recently become obsessed with having a baby sister. My husband and I have decided we are one and done. But it's breaking my heart a bit, and hard to explain our reasonings to our kiddo (fertility issues, our ages, money, etc.). Would love a book to help discuss the topic in an age-appropriate way.
Hi Carly -- I can't think of any books that specifically address *why* parents might choose not to have more than one child, but there are plenty of titles out there that feature only children. You might want to check out What’s So Bad About Being an Only Child? by Cari Best and One of a Kind by Ariel S. Winter, both of which come close to what you are looking for, I think -- though YMMV, of course.
Thank you.
Here for a future post entirely about raccoons. 🫡
All I needed was one person, and of course you are the person 🦝 THANK YOU
Oh I love all of these books! And I love that you called out Little Women. I always think of it first and foremost as a Great American Classic but, really, its a book about sisters and family. How was Medieval Times?!
Still haven't read it 😂
Medieval Times was one of the weirder experiences of my life AND I screamed myself hoarse. My 9yo kept turning to me and saying, "This is the best thing I've ever seen!" 100% recommend.
Woot woot! So glad you all had such a great time (weirdness and all)!
The list I’ve been looking for!! Saving this one!
Yay! I'm so glad.
I found it so interesting that you mentioned you gravitate toward books that emphasize the positives of having siblings/showcase positive, affirming sibling relationships! I have been on the hunt for comp titles for a middle grade novel I'm working on that features sisters who have a pretty up and down relationship (mostly the usual sibling rivalry, but obviously it feels major to my main character/the little sister) and I've been having such a hard time finding recent books that have rivalry instead of just "my sister is my best friend" kind of stuff. I have an only child, but if I had multiple kids I'm sure I'd feel the same as you and not want to give her books that might possibly encourage sibling rivalry; at the same time, as the youngest of three sisters, I LOVED books that showed it (I'm thinking about Charles in Judy Blume's "Here's to You Rachel Robinson" or Jerry Spinelli's "Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush"--both titles I read over and over again).
Interesting! I can definitely understand the relief of having both types of books available, especially as readers get older and can understand that, say, a new baby isn’t the end of the world — but I also feel that when kids are little, it helps to reinforce positive feelings, because the more complex and nuanced parts of that relationship come soon enough.
I’d love to hear what you discover as you explore comp titles!
Well, I grew up in Louisville, and now I have to go home to see this raccoon exhibit!
It was an exhibit about the Lewis and Clark expedition and the raccoon was a very small aside in a larger discussion of the animals that the Corps of Discovery encountered, it was just the piece that stood out to me the most.
Haha - might as well be all about the 'coon! (Hope you enjoyed Louisville!)
What a fun topic! Blythe received a copy of Sisters (Raina Telgemeir) when Claire was born and really enjoyed it even though she was quite young for it. I always think of A Baby Sister for Francis and Angelina's Baby Sister (the illustrations in the Angelina books are wonderful).
Yes! All wonderful titles.
Catching up on my Substacks but I had to comment because I’ve never thought about the fact that our siblings are with us the longest. I had to sit with that and I’m very grateful for the relationship I have with my brothers.
Oh! And our neighborhood used to have an albino squirrel but I haven’t seen it in a while. We had fun keeping an eye out for him.