My Brother Charlie

My Brother Charlie
by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete
illustrated by Shane W. Evans

My Brother Charlie is about a young boy diagnosed with autism. It is told from the viewpoint of Charlie's twin sister, Callie. She describes some of the challenges that her brother faces as well as some of the difficulties in understanding him. However, she also talks about many of the triumphs and joys. She feels blessed to be Charlie's sister and each day she counts her "Charlie Blessings."

This is a great book and would be very helpful to families who are touched by autism. If provides insight and understanding in a way that a child can process. The book is written by Holly Robinson Peete, author, actress, and national autism spokesperson along with her daughter Ryan. It is based on their own personal experiences with their son and brother RJ, who has autism.

I Can Do It Too!

I Can Do It Too!
by Karen Baicker
illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

This is an adorable little book about a little girl who is excited to be a big girl who can do many of the same things that her older family members and friends can do! She emphatically announces that she "can do it too!" As she is encouraged and celebrated for the big things she can do, she is able to pass along the encouragement as she and her family celebrates their baby taking its first steps! Very cute little book!

Brothers & Sisters: Family Poems

Brothers & Sisters: Family Poems 

by Eloise Greenfield
Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

This is a collection of poems about brothers and sisters. There were some really cute poems included! The poems deal with all kinds of family related topics including sibling rivalry and having a new baby sister. There is even a poem about being twins (which we enjoyed...since we have two sets in our house!)  :-)

Squashed in the Middle

Squashed in the Middle

by Elizabeth Winthrop
Illustrated by Pat Cummings

Being a middle child is not always easy, especially for Daisy. With a younger brother and older sister, Daisy feels like no one listens to her. After an eventful sleepover with her friend, Daisy figures out a way to make everyone listen! The next morning she told her family all about her sleepover and for the first time, everyone listened to her!

Peter's Chair

Peter's Chair 

by Ezra Jack Keats

Little Peter is upset because it seems like the new baby sister is getting all of his stuff. He is VERY unhappy when he sees that his old craddle and high chair (once blue) were now pink. In hopes of saving his little chair from being painted pink, Peter decides to run away, with his chair, of course. Realizing that he was too big to even sit in the chair because he could sit in a big boy chair, Peter decides to return home and even suggests that he help paint the little chair pink for his baby sister. This is a great story about some of the adjustments that kids have to make when they have a new baby brother or sister! I used it with my kids to talk about sharing.