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Dear Sister
What do you do when you have an incredibly annoying little sister? Write her letters telling her so, of course!
Whininess, annoyingness, afraid of the darkness, refusal to eat lima beans, and pulling brother's hair. This is the criteria on which little sisters are graded. Inspired by the notes Alison McGhee's own kids would write each other, this heavily illustrated collection of letters and messages from an older brother to his little sister reveal the special love--or, at the very least, tolerance--siblings have for each other.
Whininess, annoyingness, afraid of the darkness, refusal to eat lima beans, and pulling brother's hair. This is the criteria on which little sisters are graded. Inspired by the notes Alison McGhee's own kids would write each other, this heavily illustrated collection of letters and messages from an older brother to his little sister reveal the special love--or, at the very least, tolerance--siblings have for each other.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
10 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Alison McGhee
54 books401 followersAlison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
June 9, 2019
What a great book!
A very good friend placed this book in my hand this afternoon and suggested I read it right away, which I did. Of course it didn’t take long. It is created as a collection of a boy’s letters to his sister, starting when she is born and reaching on into his teens. The seven year age difference makes for “serious” differences.
The illustrations are simple and also add so much to the story of the letters. You will find yourself smiling or laughing often as you read, occasionally sighing with empathy with sister or brother.
I recommend this to anyone who has had a sister or brother, a child, a niece or nephew. And for parents to consider for their children. It is very well done and fun.
A very good friend placed this book in my hand this afternoon and suggested I read it right away, which I did. Of course it didn’t take long. It is created as a collection of a boy’s letters to his sister, starting when she is born and reaching on into his teens. The seven year age difference makes for “serious” differences.
The illustrations are simple and also add so much to the story of the letters. You will find yourself smiling or laughing often as you read, occasionally sighing with empathy with sister or brother.
I recommend this to anyone who has had a sister or brother, a child, a niece or nephew. And for parents to consider for their children. It is very well done and fun.
November 21, 2018
MY HEART
I’m not crying, you are!
I’m not crying, you are!
May 7, 2019
Oh my gosh! This is the sweetest book!!! My brother is seven years older than me, so this book really hit home...hit it hard with all the feels!!! I so didn't see the end coming, and I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a lovely, sweet, meaningful book!!! If you have an older sibling that you absolutely adored as a child, and you know you must have driven that poor sibling crazy, this is the book for you! This is a MUST READ!!! Now, I need to find some more tissues...
January 27, 2019
Love this graphic novel depiction of the relationship between a big brother and his baby sister. Each year he draws her a birthday greeting giving her progress reports in whininess and other categories. As he approaches adulthood, the anticipation grows concerning his choice of tattoos. Brothers and sisters alike will enjoy and appreciate this timeless story.
September 18, 2018
This review is of advanced copy kindly provided by the publisher.
As evidenced by my rarely awarded five star rating, I loved, loved, loved Dear Sister! In fact, I would go so far as to say it is my favorite children's book of 2018. Cue the fanfare!
Dear Sister is full of heart and truth. Anyone who has ever had a sibling will instantly recognize the feelings that surround that relationship. Both the simple text and the whimsical drawings combine to further the story of one adored big brother and his often annoying, clingy little sister. This book made me laugh out loud and clasp my hand to my heart (seriously.) I loved it from beginning to end and I am eager to share it with anyone, young or old, who has ten to fifteen minutes to spend on a story that you will surely treasure.
The target audience listed in the advanced copy I received is listed as ages 10 and up. The vocabulary is fairly simple and the sibling relationship so universal I think younger readers will be able to comprehend its meaning. Comparable to Toy Story 3 in terms of "the feels" teens and adults will undoubtedly resonate with both Brother and Sister.
As evidenced by my rarely awarded five star rating, I loved, loved, loved Dear Sister! In fact, I would go so far as to say it is my favorite children's book of 2018. Cue the fanfare!
Dear Sister is full of heart and truth. Anyone who has ever had a sibling will instantly recognize the feelings that surround that relationship. Both the simple text and the whimsical drawings combine to further the story of one adored big brother and his often annoying, clingy little sister. This book made me laugh out loud and clasp my hand to my heart (seriously.) I loved it from beginning to end and I am eager to share it with anyone, young or old, who has ten to fifteen minutes to spend on a story that you will surely treasure.
The target audience listed in the advanced copy I received is listed as ages 10 and up. The vocabulary is fairly simple and the sibling relationship so universal I think younger readers will be able to comprehend its meaning. Comparable to Toy Story 3 in terms of "the feels" teens and adults will undoubtedly resonate with both Brother and Sister.
April 15, 2021
Full of illustrations and handwritten notes Dear Sister tells the story of an older brother who unwillingly gets a baby sister. He starts writing notes to his sister to appease his parents and this book chronicles their relationship through those notes from Sister's birth to Brother's departure for college. This book was so sweet and I may have even teared up at the end.
July 17, 2022
1 Sentence Summary: A collection of letters and drawings to a boy’s younger sister, whom he isn’t quite sure he loves yet.
My Thoughts: So I bought this book at the dollar store LOL, but it was actually so cute and heartwarming! The drawings were really cute as well and the sibling relationship was well written. Also, I literally teared up at the end so there’s that. Very, very sweet, and people of all ages would enjoy it:)
Recommend to: Anyone looking for a quick heartwarming read about siblings.
My Thoughts: So I bought this book at the dollar store LOL, but it was actually so cute and heartwarming! The drawings were really cute as well and the sibling relationship was well written. Also, I literally teared up at the end so there’s that. Very, very sweet, and people of all ages would enjoy it:)
Recommend to: Anyone looking for a quick heartwarming read about siblings.
October 31, 2018
All the feels for this sweet sibling book. A must read for older brothers with younger sisters.
Over a span of ten years, a boy writes letters to his younger sister, chronicling their time together. There are laugh out loud moments, like when he teaches her bad words that she repeats in church, and sad moments, like when his best friend moves away.
Told in letter writing format with great graphics, this is a heartwarming collection that showcases sibling relationships.
Over a span of ten years, a boy writes letters to his younger sister, chronicling their time together. There are laugh out loud moments, like when he teaches her bad words that she repeats in church, and sad moments, like when his best friend moves away.
Told in letter writing format with great graphics, this is a heartwarming collection that showcases sibling relationships.
May 18, 2023
מכתבים קצרים מאוירים שילד כותב לאחותו הקטנה במשך שנים עד שהוא מתבגר.
מייצג יפה ובאופן משעשע את יחסי האחים המורכבים.
מייצג יפה ובאופן משעשע את יחסי האחים המורכבים.
July 20, 2019
This was recommended to me at the start of the year, and I found it surprisingly difficult to track down a reasonably priced copy. I ended up with a second hand copy from Abebooks.
I love the initial premise. This book is a collection of notes, letters and cards from a brother to his little sister. He is not so sure about this new arrival, summed up perfectly in the postscript to his second letter:
"The reason I signed this letter from is because I am not sure I love you yet. Time will tell......it's not looking good so far."
The series of letters is funny and full of what older brothers and sisters probably all think at times about their younger siblings.
The book pans out as you would expect over time, with the brother slowly showing his love for his sister. The big surprise and disappointment for me was how slowly this change happens. Not in terms of the length of the book, but in terms of the children's lives. We don't see much growth or change in the brother's outlook for years and years and years. While the book is funny and eventually sweet, I was saddened to think of the brother acting like this for years. It makes me hesitant to recommend it/put it in my library as I would hate for any of my students to emulate the attitude they see.
If the brother had written letters more regularly (often there are 6 months between them), we build have seen the same progression happen over a shorter period of time, which I think would have worked much better.
I love the initial premise. This book is a collection of notes, letters and cards from a brother to his little sister. He is not so sure about this new arrival, summed up perfectly in the postscript to his second letter:
"The reason I signed this letter from is because I am not sure I love you yet. Time will tell......it's not looking good so far."
The series of letters is funny and full of what older brothers and sisters probably all think at times about their younger siblings.
The book pans out as you would expect over time, with the brother slowly showing his love for his sister. The big surprise and disappointment for me was how slowly this change happens. Not in terms of the length of the book, but in terms of the children's lives. We don't see much growth or change in the brother's outlook for years and years and years. While the book is funny and eventually sweet, I was saddened to think of the brother acting like this for years. It makes me hesitant to recommend it/put it in my library as I would hate for any of my students to emulate the attitude they see.
If the brother had written letters more regularly (often there are 6 months between them), we build have seen the same progression happen over a shorter period of time, which I think would have worked much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2020
Yo que soy hermana menor…
Hay ocasiones en que no comprendes que tu hermano mayor no te pertenece, que es una persona a parte y que él forma un universo de complejidades y deseos propios. A veces los padres suelen enseñar el amor por el hecho de estar juntos, pero como en todo, las relaciones deben construirse desde cero y evolucionar con los años y las experiencias.
Y se lleva sus 5 estrellas por sacarme un par de lágrimas al final…
Hay ocasiones en que no comprendes que tu hermano mayor no te pertenece, que es una persona a parte y que él forma un universo de complejidades y deseos propios. A veces los padres suelen enseñar el amor por el hecho de estar juntos, pero como en todo, las relaciones deben construirse desde cero y evolucionar con los años y las experiencias.
Y se lleva sus 5 estrellas por sacarme un par de lágrimas al final…
March 21, 2019
A million hearts to this book. I REALLY loved this one. Written as letters to his younger sister, this book ran me through a variety of emotions. I laughed a lot and even teared up a bit. This only took me about 10 minutes to read. I can't wait to share this with as many people as possible.
March 2, 2020
Very quick read and SOOOOO adorable. I got a tad misty eyed. Consists of letters from an aging older brother to his baby sister that follows the evolution of their relationship.
January 22, 2019
A story told entirely in notes from a brother to his sister from the time she is born until the time he leaves for college. Very relatable for anyone who has a sibling!
December 24, 2024
Dear Sister is such a beautiful book that I absolutely adore. It features charming illustrations and beautifully captures the bond between an elder brother and his younger sister. Although the brother initially appears disinterested and reluctant to take care of her, his true, kind-hearted nature shines through. This heartwarming story unfolds with love and warmth, culminating in a deeply touching ending. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book!
December 10, 2018
One of the most beautiful books I have read about sibling jealousy, rivalry, relationship. Realistic and fantastic creation.
November 27, 2018
Pick this one if you want a quick, heartwarming read.
The story follows 10 years in the life of an annoyed brother and his eight-years-younger sister through a series of letters and increasingly sophisticated drawings. The sibling dynamics feel real, and the art is enjoyable, particularly as Sister (who is not named in the book because Brother is annoyed that their parents, whom he refers to as the Wardens, didn't go with the name he chose for her because "then you would love it so much and wish it was your name so much instead of the name that you ended up with that you would cry even more than you cry now. Which is a TON") grows up and contributes her own drawings and occasional notes. I agree with another reviewer who wished for a sequel, Dear Brother, picking up where this one leaves off with her writing to him at college.
While this is a kids' book, it might make a lovely birthday or holiday gift for grown siblings with significant age gaps.
The story follows 10 years in the life of an annoyed brother and his eight-years-younger sister through a series of letters and increasingly sophisticated drawings. The sibling dynamics feel real, and the art is enjoyable, particularly as Sister (who is not named in the book because Brother is annoyed that their parents, whom he refers to as the Wardens, didn't go with the name he chose for her because "then you would love it so much and wish it was your name so much instead of the name that you ended up with that you would cry even more than you cry now. Which is a TON") grows up and contributes her own drawings and occasional notes. I agree with another reviewer who wished for a sequel, Dear Brother, picking up where this one leaves off with her writing to him at college.
While this is a kids' book, it might make a lovely birthday or holiday gift for grown siblings with significant age gaps.
July 6, 2019
Dear Brother,
As your annoying little sister, I just want you to know how much I loved this compendium of the years of correspondence we have had. That would be the years since I debuted on the scene and gave you what you wanted all along: a little sister.
Don't worry. I will never quit wanting you to read to me, whether it is my favorite book and/or your favorite book. I will also read to you when you want me to do so.
I will write to you while you are in college and when you are out in the world. I am yours forever.
XOXO,
Your Little Sister
As your annoying little sister, I just want you to know how much I loved this compendium of the years of correspondence we have had. That would be the years since I debuted on the scene and gave you what you wanted all along: a little sister.
Don't worry. I will never quit wanting you to read to me, whether it is my favorite book and/or your favorite book. I will also read to you when you want me to do so.
I will write to you while you are in college and when you are out in the world. I am yours forever.
XOXO,
Your Little Sister
November 24, 2018
I kept seeing this at bookstores but had somehow missed it in the review journals. So I ordered it for the library and promptly checked it out to myself. (Ha!) It took me ten minutes to read and I went through a whole range of emotions, from skeptical to completely won over, tears streaming down my face. It’s a sweet, funny, sentimental read about the evolution of sibling relationships. Would be a great gift for older siblings, where one has gone away to college recently for instance.
June 1, 2019
Read it. Totally adorable! I even teared up a bit st the end. Really great interaction between a brother and his younger sister as they both grow up. Letters and drawings mostly by the brother but with some from the sister sprinkled in.
November 7, 2018
Very sweet. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure how much it will stick in my memory.
January 16, 2019
OH, how sweet! I read this standing next to a coworker in about 15 minutes. What a sweet book, with fabulous drawings! Get one tissue ready...
March 27, 2019
(insert ugly sobbing)
April 18, 2019
Super fast read—even for a graphic novel. But I loved it! Anyone with a sibling, any parent, and anyone with a beating heart will appreciate this little book. LOVE.
October 18, 2019
OMG this was so cute. A hilarious and heartwarming saga of siblings growing up and all the annoyances and love between them. It made my commute home 134x better.
July 14, 2022
A beautiful illustrated book about a brother who gets a baby sister when he is 8 years old and their relationship as it evolves until he goes to college. It made me laugh and cry.
January 27, 2023
This was super cute for a kids book. Brother/sister love
October 19, 2018
What a sweet book. This is a 20 minute read for most adults, and is chock full of adorable drawings. Each page has no more than a paragraph of text formated like letters the main character is writing to his sister! As the story progresses the letters change in tone and the drawing become more mature to show the passage of time.
October 30, 2018
Very cute children's book that I happened to pick up at the library. It consists of short notes that a brother writes to his sister while growing up and has a very nice ending. The illustrator did a good job of drawing good pictures, while still making them look like a child had done it. It's a fun and heartwarming read if you're looking for something light to cleanse your reading palette.
December 8, 2018
“Being the younger sister, the notes and letters written by the older brother resonated with me big time! It made me laugh, choked me up, and made me want to call my own big brothers.” – Liz at Plainfield Township
Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews