A GUIDE TO SISTERS

Thirteen tips explain sibling foibles, told from the perspective of one big sister to all big sisters everywhere.

A precocious young narrator breaks it down for readers: babies are cute and cuddly but hard to understand. Luckily, there is one big sister who has it all figured out, and she is willing to share her newfound knowledge. Broken into 13 categories, from “On the Move” to “Style” and “Sharing,” she explains the intricacies of having a younger sister. The “Getting Started” section begins when a young baby arrives (“They are warm and squishy, like a freshly baked loaf of bread…but you should NOT put butter on them”), but most of the text focuses on a slightly older sibling relationship. This little girl’s younger sister is old enough to follow her around, copy her, and destroy her things—all of the usual tensions. Luckily, tickling can defuse any situation (a handy cutout diagram shows the best spots to target). In the end, all fights are put aside at bedtime, and sweet snuggles abound. Breezy illustrations capture messy mops of hair and shared sisterly smiles; both sisters are white (literally—exposed flesh and hair are simply outlined in quick strokes of black.

Less a guide for preparation for a new baby than a humorous look at sibling dynamics for those who have weathered the storm and are now ready to laugh.