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.
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?!
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).
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.
Would love your new sibling recs too 🤗
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 :)
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.
Here for a future post entirely about raccoons. 🫡
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?!
The list I’ve been looking for!! Saving this one!
Are Chirri and Chirra canonically sisters? For some reason I always assumed they were friends with matching outfits!
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).
Well, I grew up in Louisville, and now I have to go home to see this raccoon exhibit!
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.