"Everything about this title is well done: the artistically rendered colorful pictures are almost photographic in their detail, and the narrative, which portrays Alicia May in positive terms, never surrenders to the usual banality of many books on the topic. Ling's book surpasses Jennifer Moore-Mallinos's My Brother Is Autistic and My Friend Has Down Syndrome (both Barron's, 2008)." —School Library Journal
"A delightful book perfect for siblings and peers of children with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Beautifully illustrated, this book is a must for every school library!" —David Tolleson, executive director, National Down Syndrome Congress
"A wonderful book [that] describes the delights and challenges of having a sibling with an intellectual disability. The illustrations are at least as terrific as the text. This book should be on the bookshelf of every family with young children." —Steven M. Eidelman, president, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
"Every library should have a copy. It's one of the best picture books written for siblings of children with Down's syndrome that I've seen. [It] is a great title for home shelves. It would make a great read-aloud for a classroom or story time." —apatchworkofbooks.blogspot.com
"This compassionate story provides a glimpse into the lives of two sisters, both being special in their own way. [T]hrough the gentle text of Nancy Tupper Ling and the vibrant illustrations of Shennen Bersani we read of the love, joy and acceptance that comes from having a Down syndrome sibling in their picture book My Sister, Alicia May. Both the author and the illustrator bring their direct experiences with having a Down syndrome child in their lives to this project. Their combined effort makes this a notable addition to any collection." —Christian Library Journal
Based on the lives of two sisters, this story expresses the challenges and joys of growing up with a sibling who has special needs. In many ways, Rachel and Alicia are like any sisters, but Rachel knows her sister is very different and very special because she has Down syndrome. Though Rachel occasionally feels frustrations and resentment about having to help watch over her special sister, she most often feels love, acceptance, and pride for her. Exquisitely written with humor and compassion, this story focuses on the sisters' relationship and their respective places in the family.
Nancy Tupper Ling is the author of Laughter in My Tent: A Woman's Search for Family. She won the prestigious Writer's Digest Grand Prize and the Pat Parnell Poetry Award. She lives in Walpole, Massachusetts. Shennen Bersani is a well-known illustrator whose work appeared in Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers; Sharks: Big, Bigger, Biggest; and Snakes: Long, Longer, Longest. She lives in Brockton, Massachusetts.
View interior graphics from this book.
Sample Image 1 (87K)
Sample Image 2 (95K)
Sample Image 3 (116K)
Sample Image 4 (86K)
Sample Image 5 (98K)
Sample Image (87K)
Childrens: Picture Books
Age Range: 5 to 7
32 pages, Cloth, 8 x 10
30 Color Illustrations, Four-color Interior
Distribution Rights: WOR
$16.95 (CAN $18.95)
9780979203596 (0979203597) Pub Date: May 2009
Pleasant St. Press