 Lunch-Box
Dream
by Tony Abbott
Ages 10–14
It’s the summer of 1959 and Bobby
is on a trip to visit Civil War battlefields with his
mother, older brother, and recently widowed grandmother.
Bobby is not comfortable around “chocolate colored” people
or death, so the trip from Ohio to Florida is difficult
for him. Interwoven with Bobby’s narration is the story
of a black family in Georgia, told from a variety of
first-person viewpoints. This beautifully written books
deals with the uncomfortable subjects of racial conflict,
sibling rivalry, and marital discord. |
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 There’s
Going to Be a Baby
by John Burningham, Helen Oxenbury
Ages 2–6
When his mother tells a young
boy that there will be a new baby in the family, he is
consumed with curiosity. As the seasons change and his
mother expands, they wonder together what the baby will
do in each new scenario. Excitement and a bit of anxiety
are perfectly presented in this gentle exploration of
a firstborn’s feelings. |
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 The
Boss Baby
by Marla Frazee
Ages 4–8
From the moment of his arrival
(by taxi clad in a suit-and-tie onesie and carrying a
briefcase) the Boss Baby takes command of his new family.
Hilarious 1950s style illustrations present the increasingly
exhausted parents as they strive to cater to the Boss
Baby’s demands. This clever and empathetic book will
appeal to parents and older siblings dealing with an
infant takeover of their own family. |
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 Emma
Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
by Kristine O’Connell George,
Nancy Carpenter
Ages 6–9
Jess, a 4th grader, is often
frustrated by her pre-school aged sister Emma, who
copies everything Jess does and embarrasses her in
front of her friends. Jess has trouble accepting
that she is always expected to be a good big sister,
while Emma runs rampant over her life and privacy.
Vivid and frank poems present the pains and joys
of having a little sister. |
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 Mail
Harry to the Moon!
by Robie H. Harris
Ages 3–8
The narrator is less than thrilled
with his annoying, attention-hogging new baby brother
and has numerous creative suggestions for solving the
problem until he is convinced that his parents are ready
to act on his moon idea. Fresh and funny look at a classic
situation. |
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 Ten
Rules for Living with My Sister
by Ann M. Martin
Ages 9–12
Pearl (9) knows she doesn't
measure up to her perfect older sister Lexie. Lexie
has a boyfriend and Pearl has only Bitey the cat. Lexie
is popular, but Pearl is not, because of the Three
Bad Things that happened at school. Everything Pearl
does seems to drive Lexie crazy, but their grandfather
is taking over Pearl’s room and the two sisters will
have to share Lexie’s room. So Pearl begins making
a list of rules to help them survive. This humorous
and poignant novel captures the affectionate bickering
of sisters. |
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 Lazy
Little Loafers
by Susan Orlean, G. Brian Karas
Ages 5–8
In this witty new-baby book,
our heroine trudges off to school with her enormous backpack
to take tests while her little brother lounges around
nearly naked in the park. |
|
 Cooking
with Henry and Elliebelly
by Carolyn Parkhurst, Dan Yaccarino
Ages 2–6
Henry’s pretend cooking show
takes an unexpected turn when his stubborn little sister
Eleanor, known as Elliebelly, insists they wear pirate
hats and change the name of the show to “Pirate
Cooking.” The joys and irritations of being a
sibling are beautifully portrayed in this exuberant
celebration of creative play. |
|
 Jacob
Have I Loved
by Katherine Paterson
Newbery Medal 1981
Ages 12–up
Growing up on Chesapeake Bay island in
the early 1940s, Louise knows that she is hated, like Esau from
the Bible, while her twin sister Caroline, like Jacob, is the
one everyone loves. While the family pampers the beautiful and
gifted Caroline, lonely and miserable Louise learns the way of
the watermen from old Captain Wallace. Eventually Louise learns
that she has her own strengths. |
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 Tony
Baloney
by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Edwin Fotheringham
Ages 3–5
Tony is a macaroni penguin
caught between his bossy Big Sister Baloney and his
smaller twin Bothersome Babies Baloney. His big sister
always makes him play the minor role of kitty in their
games, and the baby twins often drive him crazy. And
then Tony and his stuffed toy Dandelion sometimes act
out and are sent to time-out until they apologize.
Bold illustrations complement this slyly humorous take
on sibling rivalry and the frustrations of being a
boy surrounded by girls. |
|
 Born
Yesterday
by James Solheim, Simon James
Ages 3–8
This funny diary written from
a newborn’s point of view documents his attempts to
understand and conquer the world around him. Our narrator
quickly figures out who is the power in his household—his
kindergarten-age sister, who is “some kind of
monkey-bar superstar,” and decides to grow up
just like her. This amusing slant on sibling relationships
will go a long way toward easing the inevitable jealousy
of the older sibling. |
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