Great reads for brothers and sisters
Siblings of children with special needs are amazing young people. Their lives are often very different to that of their friends and they may sometimes need a bit of help while navigating their journey. Here are some great books which provide tips, advice and stories to inspire.
WHAT ABOUT ME? A BOOK BY AND FOR AN AUTISM SIBLING, By Brennan and Mandy Farmer
Having a sibling on the spectrum brings great joy. It also brings a flurry of emotions, challenges and questions. Written by a seven-year-old boy, “What About Me?” works through the day-to-day struggles and joys of being an autism sibling.
MY HOLLY. A STORY OF A BROTHER’S UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE, By Julie Leavitt Wolfe
This is a story about a young boy named Jack, and the feelings he’s had about his little sister Holly, who has special needs. Jack sometimes feels sad because he wants his mum or dad to play with him and his Mega Power People, or take him to his favourite restaurant, “Syd’s”, but they are busy taking Holly to therapy or doctor appointments.
Jack begins to understand that his parents do try to make sure he knows he’s important and loved, and begins to believe, just like his mum, that one day Holly will be able
to do anything she wants!
BILLY’S SISTER: LIFE WHEN YOUR SIBLING HAS A DISABILITY, By Jessica Leving
Growing up with a sibling who has a disability can be hard. But it can also be… awesome! Based on the author’s real-life experiences, this unique and touching children’s book explores how siblings of kids with disabilities are special, too. Created with the support of licensed clinical social workers in the USA with the aim of helping siblings of kids with disabilities identify, express and process their feelings. This book is intended to be read with a parent or trusted adult and spark family discussions you’ll keep coming back to.
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She’s spent years trying to teach David the rules – from “a peach is not a funny-looking apple” to “keep your pants on in public”- in order to stop his embarrassing behaviours. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she’s always wished for, it’s her own shocking behaviour that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
Leah’s Voice is a story that touches on the difficulties children encounter when they meet a child with special needs such as autism. Children who have a brother or sister with special needs may find it difficult to explain to their friends or feel disappointed when their friends aren’t more understanding. Leah’s Voice tells the story of two sisters facing these challenges. Through her kindness and devotion, one sister teaches by example the importance of including everyone and showing acceptance.
LITTLE BIG SISTER, By Amy Mccoy
Winner of the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Children’s Fiction. Meet nine-year-old Katie, the little sister who feels like a big sister. Her eleven-year-old brother, Mikey, has autism. Katie can ride a two-wheeler, but Mikey’s bike still has training wheels. Katie rides the bus to school, while Mikey takes the special needs van. When a new student with special needs joins Katie’s class, she notices that some kids just don’t “get it” about autism and other disabilities
