Big Sisterhood!
by Judy Newman
On July 21, 2023, my soul mate, Sophie Rae, joined Malia Obama, Beyonce Knowles, Kate Middleton, Selena Gomez, J.K. Rowling, and me (Sophie calls me “Juya”) in welcoming a baby sister into her life.
As I know from the time when my own sister Emily was born, having a new sister arrive and take up permanent residence in your house after your mother has been away for a few days is a pivotal, “things will never be the same” experience for many children.
For the past two years and 10 months, Sophie’s life was orderly. Meals, grocery shopping, naps, school, bath time, and stories before bed all happened on a predictable schedule. And most of the attention of the doting grown-ups in Sophie’s life was focused pretty much exclusively on her.
No one competed for attention when Sophie played with Magna-Tiles DX or blew bubbles or drew pictures with her plastic briefcase of 100 different colored markers. The beautiful, three-story, eggplant-colored dollhouse her grandfather, “Pa,” built for her could stay exactly as she arranged it with no risk of anyone rearranging the furniture or separating the dolls who like to live squished together on the rug in the living room.
No one else got to choose which books to read before bed. Sophie could watch her allocated Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on Netflix in peace and quiet. And while she is still very excited about her upcoming bubble-themed 3rd birthday party at the end of this month, I know there’s a part of her that is worried about her baby sister, who tends to cry a bit at the wrong moments, stealing some of the limelight.
But I can also tell that Sophie Rae truly loves her baby sister, Nina Frances. I am sure she already senses a future when they will be fast friends and allies in the world run by grown-ups. But for now, as was probably true with all the famous siblings in Sophie Rae’s big sister cohort, once baby sister Nina Frances arrived, life changed a lot, and sometimes that’s very annoying.
Fortunately, as with many key life-changing moments, there are many wonderful children’s books that explore and celebrate being a big sister, which can help Sophie Rae sort out her complicated feelings about having “the other baby” (who has no intention of leaving!) in her crib.
Some of my favorite kids’ books that extol sisterhood are Sheila Rae the Brave by Kevin Henkes in which little sister, Louise, surprisingly saves the day. Millions of readers over decades have shared Beezus Quimby’s ambivalence about her pesky, often infuriating little sister, Ramona (Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary). Sisters by Raina Telgemeier; A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban; Big Sister, Little Sister by LeUyen Pham; Little Miss, Big Sis by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynolds are some of my favorites for all ages.
Noelle: The Best Big Sister by Mikaela Wilson, I Used to Be Famous by Becky Cattie, and Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister? by Chitra Soundar are some titles I want to explore.
And even though Tommy is the older sibling in The Baby Sister by the late, great Tomie dePaola; and Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats isn’t about sisters, they both deserve a place in the canon of new sibling children’s books.
Each of these books approaches the complicated feelings of an older sister when the new girl shows up. These books can help kids like Sophie Rae express and explore their own feelings. Wonderfully written and illustrated children’s books work so well as safe, accessible conversation starters—vehicles to help grown-ups talk with the children in their lives about big issues and big feelings by using fictional characters and stories as examples. I don’t want story time to become lesson time for sure, but cuddling up with a great book featuring characters dealing with the same issues you are is a beautiful way to spend some reading together time.
As we hurtle back to start the brand new 2023-24 school year, I urge everyone to keep in mind that there is always a children’s book that can help ease transitions, guide kids as they explore their feelings, give grown-ups an opportunity to talk about life-changing and life-affirming moments, and discuss uncomfortable—and happy—situations and life experiences while reading a story about someone else.
The most efficient, reliable, affordable way for kids to learn about their worlds, build their vocabulary, understand words in context, and learn how to express themselves and make sense of what others are saying, is through books and reading.
Every big and little sister—and every child—must have access to choose books they are motivated to read from a wide, diverse, relatable collection of titles so they can develop their identity as a reader.
If you ever want to talk about choice and access to books for all, or have a recommendation for a title to add to the sisterhood collection, please reach out: Judy.Newman@Scholastic.com
Happy Reading!
XX,
Judy
Judy Newman is President and Reader-in-Chief of Scholastic Book Clubs. For more information, visit judynewmanatscholastic.com.