ME AND MY SISTER

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.