Me and my sister by Rose Robbins
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760524456.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Themes: Autism, Difference,
Disability, Family, Siblings. What an amazing book. The narrator
explains that he and his sister like doing the same things, although
sometimes at different times, they like different foods, his sister
makes him laugh and she is sometimes rude to Nanna, but Nanna
understands. They go to different schools, and learn different
things.
From the first few pages readers are aware that his sister has a
disability and watch as he copes with a sister who is different.
Readers will applaud him as he waves good bye to his sister on her
school bus, and helps his sister when she is upset, knowing that she
does not like to be hugged, using a high five instead. Readers will
be embarrassed along with him as people in the street are rude, and
thankful that Nanna understands his sister, when sometime he does
not.
All the way through this wonderfully understated book, clues are
given as to how children should react to a child who is different;
being gentle and kind, not touching them, comforting them when they
are upset, recognising signs that they wish to be alone and so on.
The boldly outlined illustrations replete with swathes of primary
colours, enhance the lives of these two children, making them
central to the story, without any distractions on each page. The boy
tells his tale in capital letters, reflecting the life he leads with
his sister. Things are never calm or on an even keel, the whole
family is aware that their family is different and must react to
their daughter's difference.
The author cleverly shows a child wanting to be the best he can be
to help his sister, but also aware that sometimes he may do the
wrong thing or not quite understand. She calmly tells the readers
that it is alright to feel frustrated sometimes, to be upset when
you are told off but not your sister, to want to be by yourself
sometimes without her. A wonderful awareness raising book, first
published in England, this will find a place in all classrooms where
diversity is encouraged and accepted. Teacher
notes are available.
Fran Knight