Twinnies

by Eve Bunting

The twins take up too much space and they need two of everything-two cribs, two high chairs, two of every toy. They also need two parents to watch out for them all the time. Who’s left, their big sister wonders, to watch out for her ?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Set · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a twin sister and an older wicked sister. My only memories of my older sister are unpleasant and I don't ever remember her being kind or sisterly. The illustrations are beautiful and the message is that at the end of the day she loves her sisters but you could love someone and be detrimental to them.

The older sister in this book only complains about her two sisters and at the very end she says that she loves them. The only reason that she defended the twins crying is because the neighbor was reprimanding her mother, therefore, she was defending her own mother. The book just rubs me the wrong way because the only reason that she feels comfortable with them is if she fits nicely between them both in bed. It doesn't actually teach children to love their younger siblings and their duty as an older sibling.

P.S. I don't speak to my older sister at all. And it all started when I was born.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is there in human nature that thinks if another person has attention we have less of it? That if another person is loved we are less loved? Why do so many of us have a scarcity mentality? I don't know. This oldest sister of twin girls seems to miss the full attention she used to have. And yet by the end of the book she feels so loved when the twins are around. May we all get to the point where we can love and know there will be enough love for us in return.

Talking points: Does mom love you? How do you know? Does Dad love you? How do you know? Do your brothers and sisters love you? How do you know? Can they always spend as much time with you as you want them to? How do you show everyone that you love them? Are there times when you don't feel loved? What is happening then? When do you feel the most loved?

[Lizzy Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this one

[Natalie O'neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twinnies by Eve Bunting is about a little girl who is an only child until her two little twin sisters come along. She is immediately jealous, especially because there are two of them, and both are girls. The twins, whom she refers to as “twinnies” get all the attention when her family is out in public, and she feels slighted. Later on in the book, a neighbor comes over and complains about the twins waking her up at night. Their older sister gets so defensive and says to the neighbor, “Babies have to cry.” At that moment, her attitude changes, and she realizes that she really does love the babies more than anything. She even talks about how her family would not feel complete without them. This is a story about growing up and realizing what’s important in life. It’s entertaining, the illustrations are great, and it even is funny at parts. I think it would be a great book to share with students in the classroom. Not only is it relatable for many children, but it is also a good book to use to teach character development and theme.

[Mike Romesburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Final Project" - Author Study: Eve Bunting

What a wonderful story dealing with sibling rivalry, except in this case it is twins taking away the attention of the oldest child. Even though these cases are fairly rare, students are still able to directly relate to the story. Young children especially can relate and even middle school students who start to get into jealousy and always want their friends to pay the most attention to them.

Overall, what this story teaches is that just because somebody does not spend a majority of his time paying attention to you, does not mean he does not care. Sometimes, life complicates certain matters and this book is a great way to explain this rather complex concept to a child.

[Kaitlynn Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twinnies is a story about a young girl who has to put up with her twin baby sisters. She grows frustrated with them because they always seem to get all the attention. Her parents are always having to keep an eye on them because there are two and she believes life would be easier if there were only one. She slowly begins to realize that these two babies bring her a lot of joy, even when they're a pain. She realizes she would feel lost if they weren't both in her life. This story is truly endearing on how the older sibling comes to realize she really loves and cares for the twins. Family can be annoying but they are always there and you can't help but love them. I think this teaches children an important concept about loving your siblings.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really can't explain the exact reason this book brought tears to my eyes. And the water works did not happen until the last page. Perhaps it is the all-too realistic way Bunting describes the tumultuous love/hate relationships of siblings. Or maybe it was the watercolor illustrations, expertly depicting the expressions, stance, and situations of the adults and children. It could also be the narrative build-up, releasing finally, after a few humorous turns, to the reconciliation between a young girl and the twins she is so jealous of.

Whatever it was, it worked.

[Robin Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that many kids can relate too. When a young girl becomes a big sister to twins, she struggles with the idea of no longer being the only child. The attention her sisters need from Mom and Dad is frustrating and overwhelming.
Getting over the new change is challenging, but soon this little girl learns that the value of family and siblings truly can't be matched and being a big sister comes with several advantages.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, good for any older sibling who has trouble accepting a younger sibling into the family. Of course, in this case there are two younger siblings and that changes things, but the thought is the same. I liked this book and would gladly share it with any child. It's a good story.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story about an older sister who has a hard time accepting her new twin sisters into the family because they take away all the attention from her. I really liked this book and it would be an easy read for young children.

[Korinne Sackela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I think the moral at the end was appropriate and that a young audience would love it. It shows the frustrations of an older sibling who also has compassion and love for his or her younger siblings.

[Becky H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the point of view of the older sister of twin girls, how she comes to love and appreciate her two babies. Cute book with several “real” life experiences that children go through.