Me and My Sister

by Rose Robbins

Overview

Getting along with your sister is never easy—especially if your brains work in different ways! Based on the author’s childhood, Me and My Sister is a gentle exploration of growing up with an autistic sibling. 

Life in a neurodiverse home isn’t straightforward: these siblings communicate and behave in different ways. They’re also unique people with different likes and dislikes. Misunderstandings are bound to happen! But despite the occasional bickering and confusion, maybe this brother and sister can discover new ways to love and help one another. 

Siblings of all backgrounds will connect to this playfully illustrated story about embracing difference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802855428
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	04/14/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.83(w) x 10.62(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD400L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Rose Robbins has a master of arts in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. In 2017, she was a runner-up for Hachette UK's Carmelite Prize, which recognizes innovative work by new artists.Rose grew up with an autistic brother, an experience that informed and shaped Me and My Sister. She serves as an ambassador with Inclusive Minds, an organization that promotes quality representation in children's literature, and she has written and drawn extensively about mental health issues. Rose lives in Nottingham, UK.

Visit her website at roserobbins.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @roserobbinsillustration.

Editorial Reviews

02/24/2020

A brief preface notes that Robbins (Elena’s Shells) grew up with an autistic brother and is active in Inclusive Minds, “an organization that promotes diversity and equality in children’s literature.” The words “autism” or “differently abled” are never used in the text itself, taking the book beyond one about labels; instead, it’s about how it feels to have a family member who experiences life differently from oneself. The narrator, a yellow, anthropomorphized critter with soulful eyes, explains that his sister “doesn’t use words” and “doesn’t always like hugs.” She can act abruptly at home (“Sometimes my sister is rude to Nanna”) and in public (“Poo Dee Poo/ Dee Pooo!!” she shouts), and isn’t held to the same standards that he is (“I get told off... and my sister doesn’t”). But the narrator also sees and respects his sibling as a person in her own right, and he knows that she loves to laugh, dance, get dirty in the park, and burp with him. Rendered with thick, crayonlike outlines and washes of soft, cheery color, this is a sensitive, realistic, ultimately optimistic portrait of what it means to confront difficult feelings and connect with others. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

2020-02-18
Two animal siblings are both alike and different.

Two unnamed anthropomorphic characters with yellow skin, pointy triangle ears, and doglike snouts are the main characters of the story. One narrates, describing “my sister” in the opening pages as not being able to use words “but she says a lot!” The narrator describes their differences, each one followed by something that unites them. For example, though they like different foods, they finish eating at the same time. While the sister enjoys watching TV and the narrator likes listening to music, the following double-page spread depicts the two dancing together. Though it is not explicitly stated, readers may place the sister on the autism spectrum, as illustrated by her occasional rudeness to their grandmother, attendance at a different school from the narrator, and aversion to hugs. Rather than letting their differences drive them apart, the narrator is a caring and understanding sibling, leaving the sister alone when she needs it and comforting her when she’s upset. The writing is concise and easy to read, with a nice flow that is complemented by the colorful and expressive cartoon illustrations. The text is hand-lettered, syncing nicely with the narrator’s childlike tone. By using anthropomorphic animals instead of humans, however, Robbins misses the opportunity to add to the too-few depictions of racially diverse children with disabilities.

A heartfelt story of siblings’ unconditional love. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews