Siblings – picture books
Siblings can be frustrating at times, but they can also be the best of playmates. This selection of picture books is not about getting a new sibling, but about existing brothers and sisters that share in all the fun at home and when out and about.
Books about siblings for children under 8
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Can I Come Too?
Author: Owen Davey
Publisher: Rocket Bird Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Teddy is off to catch a fish and little Cub wants to join too – much to Teddy’s annoyance! An endearing picture book that explores sibling dynamics through a fishing adventure.
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Me and My Sister
Author: Rose Robbins
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+A delightful insight into sibling life is delivered through appealing animal characters in this simple and effective picture book, reminding us that every child is different.
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Share!
Author: Anthea Simmons
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 4+Georgie Birkett beautifully captures the expressions of both big sister and baby brother in this funny and endearing picture book about learning to share.
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Alphonse, That Is Not OK To Do!
Author: Daisy Hirst
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+This charming and very funny book about the ups and downs of sibling relationships perfectly captures the affection and frustration experienced by an older sibling - and the monsters are wonderfully expressive.
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My Brother Sammy
Author: Becky Armitage and David Armitage
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+If only his brother was “normal”. Mum says that Sammy is “special” but the narrator doesn’t want a special brother. He describes a roller coaster of different feelings – loneliness and frustration, sadness and anger, embarrassment and guilt.
With beautiful colour-wash artwork, this picture is a gentle, honest and ultimate… -
The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth
Author: Ellie Hattie Illustrator: Karl Kames Mountford
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+Join a young boy named Oscar and a woolly mammoth named Timothy as they race through The Curious Museum trying to track down Timothy’s little brother before the ‘magic hour’ is over – or he gets eaten by a dinosaur!
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My Big Brother JJ
Author: Odette Elliott Illustrator: Patrice Aggs
Publisher: Tamarind
This book features a great relationship between a young girl and her much older sibling.
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A Guide to Sisters
Author: Paula Metcalf Illustrator: Suzanne Barton
Publisher: Words and Pictures
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+A big sister imparts her wisdom on all things to do with having a new little sister in this fun and playful picture book. Smart, funny text from Paula Metcalf is matched perfectly with cute line drawings from Suzanne Barton.
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I Heart Bedtime (Martha and the Bunny Brothers)
Author: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: HarperCollins
- Martha has a lot of fun while getting her two brothers, Monty and Pip, off to bed!
- Colourful and detailed illustrations that young children will love to explore.
- Enjoy singing 'The Bedtime Bunnies Song!' together.
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Mine!
Author: Rachel Bright
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+One day Fifi and Frankie go to visit Grandma Flo and they both want to hold Funny Bunny. After some arguing they pull him in different directions and off come his ears.
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My Brother
Author: Anthony Browne
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+The brother in this book is the ultimate in cool: clever, talented, kind and fun.
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We're Going to Find the Monster
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 3-5
A lovely slightly fairy tale-inspired tale about a family with two younger siblings and a teenager getting ready for breakfast, featuring the wonderful storytelling and word wizardry of Malorie Blackman and the illustrations of prize-winning Dapo Adeola.
